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
August 25, 2011
Cons:
Horrible cystic acne break-outs
Breat tenderness
Headaches
Mood swings
I would definitely not recommend this product!!! My doctor specifically prescribed this birth control to also help with my hormonal acne. However, within two weeks of taking this my face, especially my chin area, was covered in painful cystic acne. I was told to continue taking it and be patient; that the acne would probably get worse before it got better. I stuck with it for a little over a month but couldn't take it anymore because my skin was in so much pain and completely covered in blemishes. I quit taking it about a week ago and my skin, while still very red and covered in acne, is noticeably better. The combination of symptoms, especially the acne and mood swings, made the month or so I was on this birth control an absolute emotional roller-coaster.
August 19, 2011
Pros:
no weight gain
no cramps
no loss in sex drive
Cons:
acne
dryness by mouth
emotional
If you're thinking about trying this birth control, I definitely wouldn't recommend it. The pros do not outweight the cons. I took this with the hope that it would help me not get pregnant, which is has succesfully done so far.. But I also took it because it was supposed to help with acne. For me it has not done that, it has increased my acne, especially near my chin area. I also got a dry patch near my lip a few days ago, it is very painful and red. This product has made my self esteem lower by the things it has done to my face and the mood swings I get now.
August 18, 2011
Pros:
Cheap
Regular periods
Cons:
Emotional stress
Spotting
I'm on my 2nd month using this birth control and it is the first time I am using it. Never have I ever experienced emotional grief and sadness once I started using this. It works perfectly for regulating my periods, but after the first week of a pack is when I start getting severe mood swings and break downs.
July 9, 2011
Pros:
Skin was flawless on the last 2 weeks from the higher dose of hormone.
Cons:
New breakouts almost daily on the first 2 weeks (the lower doses)
I tried this birth control a few months ago for my hormonal acne.. As I mentioned, the last two weeks were amazing but the first two weeks were not. I took it for 4 months, hoping it would level out.. but alas, it never did. Everyone is different, though.
June 17, 2011
Pros:
*no babies
Cons:
*yeast infections
*breast soreness after 3rd pack
*worse menstrual cramps
*no improvement with acne
*spotting (even after 3 months)
*mood swings at beginning week of changing hormones
I posted a review over 2 months ago about this contraceptive. I've currently been on it for almost 5 months now and feel that I'm more eligible to post a legit review. So the first few months I experienced no side effects but no benefits either. Around my 3rd pack I was experiencing breast pain, spotting, extreme mood swings. I'm now at the end of my 4th pack and my acne is the same, except that I now break out on my chest/back at times,this pill hasn't helped it one bit, which I don't understand...Oooh, and more importantly it has made my cramps worse. I already suffer from really bad menstrual cramps and thought birth control was supposed to help. I'm contemplating waiting out another month (5th pack) but am not sure yet. My body just doesn't seem to be adjusting. My gyno want's to switch me to Yasmin.
May 28, 2011
Cons:
Nauseated everyday
Very emotional
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.
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.
January 16, 2011
Pros:
- Over all skin clarity is a bit clearer.
- Losing some weight.
Cons:
- CONSTANT feeling of nausea.
- Some new zits / skin problems have formed.
- Either so starving you can eat anything, or so full you can't even think of food.
- Nighttime headaches.
- Morning vomiting.
- More tired / lazier.
I've only been on this pill for about a week or two so far, but I'll tell you it's been one hell of a time already. I always feel like I'm going to vomit .. and when I say always, I mean ALWAYS. Sometimes I actually do. Migraines at night when I'm trying to sleep always occur. You can only take this pill right after your evening meal, at a specific time. New pimples have formed, I guess I should use more makeup then planned when I go out now-__- Overall, this pill so far is HORRID, but we'll see how my body decides to react to it after week 4. Wish me luck.
January 12, 2011
Pros:
lighter shorter periods ( first 2 days good flow, spotting after that), no cramps, acne gone, no spotting between periods
Cons:
severe migraines, nausea, my hair fell out a lot, depression, no sex drive, extreme mood swings, oily hair, and weight gain ( 10 lbs in 4 months)
I had to switch to something else, I could not stand the severe migraines with the sensitivity to light and sound. The depression was bad too, I would cry for no reason and always be sad. My sex drive disappeared. I gain so much weight. I wouldn't recommend these pills to any of my friends.
December 24, 2010
Pros:
Cleared Up Skin
Didn't seem to gain any weight
Cons:
Stomach Pains
Threw Up Often
I was on Mircette but couldn't continually afford it, then I went on Tri Sprintec (Generic for Ortho). It definitely helped with my chin and cheek acne! However, I would have times when I would have severe stomach pains and throw up. This would happen often. I went to the doctor, they couldn't figure out what the problem was, so my parents told me to get off the pill for awhile and see what happens. I haven't been sick since. I guess my body just didn't agree with it.
Pros:
Lighter periods
Pregnancy prevention