Oral Contraceptive
Efficacy
63%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Note: Improvement significantly increases after 24 weeks.
Oral Contraceptive
Acne.org’s Real World Take
All oral contraceptives appear to clear the skin about the same amount. Some people report cessation of acne symptoms and others see partial relief. However, messing with hormones is messing with hormones and it’s best to proceed with caution. But if you’re looking to take the birth control pill anyway, one of the benefits is clearer skin.
Oral Contraceptive
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Norgestimate (Ortho Tri-Cyclen®)? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
May 28, 2011
I've been on this for a week and have felt sick everyday, I hope this goes away soon. I also have had very bad mood swings, emotional. I really hope this works for me.
May 9, 2011
Pros:
1.CLEAR SKIN
2.BREAST ENLARGED
3.LESS EMOTIONAL
Cons:
None that I have come across
I had been taking LoEstrin24Fe off and on for two years and it didn't cause MUCH noticable problems until after taking it a year, I was overly emotional, I broke out in cyst like acne on my jaw line and left scars behind from the severe acne. I knew I needed something different because my body was not wanting it. I switched to Ortho Tri-Cyclen LO two months ago and I have never felt better. I am not as bloated as I was, my face is acne free, it is also healthier (creamy looking), and my breast grew a whole cup size. The first month my boobs were tender but after I finished my cycle it went away. Overall I give this birth control a FIVE!!!:))
May 1, 2011
Pros:
breast enlargement
lost weight
cleared acne
lighter periods
less cramping
Cons:
felt a little sick first couple days but didn't last very long
doctor recomended the pill to me and I'm very glad she did. face is more clear, hair looks shinier, regular periods, very light/no cramping, lost some weight and my breasts grew. I feel more confident and healther. my doctor gave me the pill for free which was nice because I hear tri-cyclen is pretty pricey.
April 8, 2011
Pros:
Clears acne
Regular, predictable periods
Cons:
Can get a bit expensive for name brand, depending on your insurance, but it's worth it!!
I've been taking Orthotricyclen (off and on) since I was about 17 years old. I'm 30 now and it's the ONLY BC that I will take. I love it! I'm not sure where all of the negative reviews are coming from, but everyone's body is different. I will add that Orthotricyclen is NOT a generic brand and I have never known it to cost any LESS than $20 (copayment) for a 30 day supply. So those of you who claim to have received Orthotricyclen at $10 and even FREE?? You may want to double-check and make sure that you have not received the GENERIC version of Orthotricyclen which is called TRI-SPRINTEC or something of that nature. I usually have moderate acne, but when I'm on Orthotricyclen, my skin clears up wonderfully. Whenever I go off of it, my skin will stay pretty clear for about 8-12 months and then my acne will start to come back, until I start the pill again. My periods are always very regular with this pill. My period usually lasts for 5-7 days when I'm not on the pill, and there's no change in my period length when I'm on it. I also love that I can tell exactly when my period will start by where I am with the pills. By the time I take the last "active pill", my period is there with in 24 hours. All in all, I love this pill. It sucks that it's getting a bad rap, because it really does clear my acne up better than anything else that I have ever tried. But like I said, everyone's body is different. Just please be sure that it is actually Orthotricyclen that you are having issues with and not the generic brand.
April 7, 2011
Pros:
-Cleared up hormonal acne cysts on chin when topical treatments couldn't.
-No weight gain
-Less cramping
Cons:
-Mood swings: they're manageable, but it feels like constant mild PMS.
-It feels like I have an increased appetite for sweeter things, when I didn't before.
-Pretty bad initial breakout for the first 2 months.
-Doesn't have any effect on back acne.
This is the only treatment that effectively cleared up the large cysts that would plague my chin. I still get little pimples here and there, but nothing like the monster ones I used to have. It definitely takes at least 3 months to see results, so wait it out if you want to be certain - unless the side effects are too debilitating. I have been frustrated with my tendency to be irritable, but I'm hoping it will subside eventually. Also, I felt really nauseous the first week I began taking it, but that went away and has yet to return.
April 7, 2011
Pros:
Boobs increased in size about 1/2 of a cup. lighter, shorter periods, less cramping
Cons:
Brief depression headaches, and stomach aches while adjusting to pill, weight gain,
I used to have 8-12 day periods that were heavy, and extremely painful but now on BC they're about 4 days, light, and rarely do I have cramps. AKA: I'm in love.
There was no improvement in my acne due to the pill. I have no idea if it works as a contraception. I also have an increased appetite. I gained about 5 lbs. I don't usually gain weight in my breasts though, so i think the pill made my boobs bigger especially.
April 2, 2011
Cons:
Weight Gain, Longer Periods
I switched to OTC because I was taking Loestrin and had some spotting here and there. I regret ever switching. I have been on the OTC for two months and have gained weight (dont have a scale so Im not sure of how much but my clothes are getting tighter and Ive had the same diet). I have been breaking out more than usual and my period lasts 6 days as opposed to 3 on the Loestrin. I was so happy about the OTC because its generic so its free but Id rather spend my money. I asked my doctor to switch me back to the loestrin, Ill deal with the occasional spotting because the benefits are much better.
March 29, 2011
Pros:
Regulating Periods
Cons:
Made Acne Worse
I've been on this BC for three weeks and I only started taking it to regulate my periods. So far, I can only tell that I haven't had a period yet as I'm still on the active pills. I did not start this BC for acne. Previously I just suffered from large pores, oily skin, and general splotchyness of the face with a couple of bumps every month during the week before and of my period. However, now that I have started taking it...I wake up every day with a new bump on my face. I'm only three weeks in so the jury isn't out yet, but I'm not sure that if this is a permanent thing, if I will want to continue taking it. This is disheartening because I actually became excited when I read that it was actually supposed to help acne. I also get brief, sharp abdominal cramps from time to time but I chock that up to the fact that I was told I could start taking it immediately and I would have been on my period around this time and that's how I would have felt. Kind of like my reproductive system is caught in a limbo as it regulates, which I hope is also the cause of my acne as well. I'll hold out for the three months but if it continues on like this, I don't know. I haven't suffered any of the other side effects others have spoken of though (like mood swings and loss of sexual drive).
March 16, 2011
Pros:
Improved my complexion greatly
on time periods
no spotting
few side effects
less headaches
reliable periods
Cons:
Heavier period
few headaches
This is the best form of birth-control I have found. I have tried Mirena and other pills including Yaz, lo estrin and some more. This pill has given me the least problems on the other pills I had severe migraines (but I am prone to them) and with Mirena I had awful cramps. I have to be on the brand name though as the generic gives me head-aches.
OTC also helped greatly with my acne now it just flares up the week before my period and that is usually when I get more moody, but if I keep my face washed and keep persa gel 10 (bezyol peroxide) on my face it doesn't cause any problems.
March 10, 2011
Pros:
Clears skin
regulates periods
Free
Cons:
having to take it at the same time everyday
slow process
I've been on OTC for a month and went on this for acne purposes. It's definitely helped. Rarely get a new spots now. The first few weeks, I've experience some side effects. Heavy and short period so far. Will do another update in a few months.
Cons:
Nauseated everyday
Very emotional