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
November 6, 2008
Cons:
Bad acne at first, bad nausea everyday, and depression sometimes.
I just started taking it so i think the acne will clear up in time. Also the nausea should go away after the first month, hopefully. Depression has lived with me before the pill so i doubt thats the whole reason..
November 5, 2008
Pros:
No babies, larger breasts, regular periods, cheap, no uncomfortable side effects, skin is clear
Cons:
CRAMPS!!!!
if I clean my skin regularly, I never or rarely break out
it works rly well and I don't have any nausea or emotional problems
i would have liked to have clearer skin... so I don't recommend it for people with severe/moderate acne
November 5, 2008
Pros:
It prevents pregnancy
Cons:
I am breaking out all over my shoulders neck and face. I am on the verge of vomiting. I have leg pain chest pain and headaches. I want to yell at everyone! Or sit in my room and cry. Screw this. Will i get sick if i just stop taking it?
That is the bottom line!
November 1, 2008
Pros:
I didnt really have any problems with it not really any side affects and its affordable. Boobs got a little bigger.
Cons:
Did not help with my skin it actually made it WORSE!! Depression.
My face never broke out like it has now after i started taking this bc and it stresses me out a lot. I mean i like it other wise because i have no side affects. i had a few cramps but nothing horrible and shorter lighter periods !!
October 23, 2008
Pros:
It did help with my acne. My face was clearing up; only had a few small zits here and there. Much improvement. Didn't cause sleeplessness, depression, or irritability as other BCs have done with me.
Cons:
It made me a little sick to my stomach. It caused vivid dreams. But, the worse is that I believed it caused me to have a bad anxiety attack. I don't use it anymore.
When it comes to BC, it's just guessing and testing. If you have bad acne (especially as an adult), and you've never tried a tri-cycle type BC (a different type of pill for each week), then I would suggest to give it a shot. This stuff was helping my acne, and I would have stayed on it if I didn't have the anxiety attack. I tried Yaz before, and it caused minor anxiety attacks, so I know BC can do that to me. I just don't have any luck with this stuff! I hope you have better fortune with this than me because it might help clear your face.
October 17, 2008
Pros:
No Back and Chest Acne, No Headaches, Regulated Periods, Bigger Boobs, No side Effects, No Weight Gain
Cons:
Acne on Chin.
I have been on OTC Lo for about 6 months now. I had lots of back acne and chat acne. I used it primarily not to get pregnant and for my acne. On the 1st month, I lost my back an chest acne. Now its soft as a baby. My boobs grew a little bit smaller. Breast Soreness does not bother me. My periods are regulated. The only problem I have right now, after 6 months of using it, is my facial acne. It is bothering me. Mostly on the chin. I will try to observe it for a month or two. If it will not work, ill switch to OTC regular. Higher estrogen helps cure acne.
October 5, 2008
Pros:
Regulates period
Cons:
Weight gain and more breakouts.
My GYN put me on OTC lo to help with my severe acne breakouts that the dermetologist couldn't clear. The pill at first cleared my face up but my breakouts have returned on my face. Also, the acne on my body (chest and back) never cleared up and looks as bad as it always has. I have also had increase hunger and have gained at least 10lbs.
October 1, 2008
Pros:
Lighter periods, and less cramps
Cons:
Made me gain a bit of weight that ortho cyclen doesn't. Face started to break out again.
I got off this pill because I wanted to skip my periods. It worked pretty well for only using it a month.
October 1, 2008
Pros:
Clearing up skin, I will finally be able to regulate when my period comes
Cons:
Tender and sore breast, Made me break out horribly at first, moodiness
I am on Ortho LO. I took this pill specifically for my acne. At first It broke me out horribly. I know it was from the pill because I woke up with pimples on my forehead and under my chin in addition to the normal places. After that initial breakout my skin has been clearing itself since then. I didnt want to resort to taking birth control pills but I have been suffering from acne since I was 13 and have been through many products. My skin is still clearing itself, but this is the best it has looked in years. The main con is sore and tender breast, I can barely touch them! And there were a few days where I have felt moody, but im not depressed or anything. When it broke me out I was going to go off, give it time to work! When most people write reviews, its to complain, so make sure you read this.
September 29, 2008
Pros:
my periods are extremley regular
Minimal cramping
Cons:
Not really sure how it affects my acne or sex drive (see bottom line)
TERRIBLE PMS. very hateful and angry.
I started taking the pill when I was 14. I had moderate/severe acne at the time. I've always had the same type of acne. No blackheads or whiteheads just pimples. I get a cyst maybe once every 6 months but it goes away within a week. When I started taking the pill my pimples were mainly on my cheeks, but i had a lot of them. My acne has never been as bad since, but I still have it. Now I would say its mild/moderate but it has relocated from my cheeks to my chin/jaw area. I cant say whether the pill had any affect on this as i was 14 at the time and am almost 20 now, its quite possible I have just outgrown the acne as I still have dealt with breakouts since then just not as severe.
Pros:
No pregnancy, lighter periods.