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
October 16, 2009
Cons:
Did not clear my acne up. I've been using it for 1-1/2 months so I'm hoping it will help. The first month I was super tired, and my boobs hurt like crazy. That went away after the first pack.
I'm still using it because I need a form of Birth control. But it did not help my acne at all :( Boo
October 9, 2009
Pros:
My acne COMPLETELY cleared up. I could even eat foods that in my past have made me break out.
Cons:
Most days I wanted to throw up, and on the other days I actually did throw up.
The clear skin wasn't worth the sick feeling.
October 8, 2009
Pros:
I started using ORTHO TRI CYCLEN my sophmore year of high school, to help with acne. I never had any problems with the pill whatsoever, no cramps, acne got better, no nausea, etc.
Cons:
A little bit of bleeding between periods, very light, and eventually went away after longer use.
I would recommend, the pill doesn't increase psychological problems, if you already have thoughts of particular troubling things in life, it's not the pill that increases these thoughts.
October 3, 2009
Pros:
I had a boy, I love him so much. Im loving my life. Husband and I were shocked at first.
Cons:
Didn't work for me got pregnant.
Gonna try again
October 1, 2009
Pros:
it hasnt made me gain wait and my skin is getting better not prego yet so thats good
Cons:
i havent been on the pill for too long but it has had some bad side effects on me... it makes me super moody...
i cry for no reason.. get ticked off about pretty much everything and get deppressed very easily... some nausea but not alot..
its not worth it... when you cry almost every 3 days and spend most of ur time in a confused and blaah mood.!
September 29, 2009
Pros:
I have been on Ortho Tri Cyclen for 5 years, and opposite from many of the reviews above, there has been nothing but positives for me. Clear skin, no cramps or back aches, super light periods...and as for birth control...100% effective.
Cons:
I've only ever felt slightly nauseous when I had to take two pills at once....never have I been sick. I have slight mood swings a few days prior to my period, which I contribute to the sudden drop in hormones from not taking the pill for 7 days
Tri Cyclen has offered nothing but benefits...two thumbs up all the way. I Truly have 100 % faith in this birth control (given you are responsible and take if on a consistent basis). My boyfriend and I never use condoms, and I have never had any issues.
September 27, 2009
Pros:
I have not taken ortho tri-clycen, but my sister and best friend did and I wanted to share their stories. My sisters skin did get better, however, there were serious adverse effects you need to be warned about
Cons:
Serious adverse effects included suicidal and morbid thoughts. Both my sister and friend gained weight, and their personalities completely changed. My sister kept having the same terrible worries our family would die the whole time she took it
BE VERY WARY of psychological side effects as well as physical ones. My friend pushed her roommate away and caused her boyfriend to break up with her. Both her and my sister couldnt figure out what was wrong, but all their psychological unsteadiness stopped when they discontinued their use of the pill. My friend stopped because her and her boyfriend broke up, and we were lucky enough to realize the pill was messing with my sister's mind. I wasn't the one that took the pill, but felt it important enough to warn you about this pill.
September 26, 2009
Pros:
It works great at preventing pregnancy. It began to clear my skin some after 1-2 months. My breasts got bigger. It's on the Walmart list and is very affordable.
Cons:
My breasts were sore. My face didn't clear as much as I hoped. I gained 10lbs around the 3rd month and had a lot of sugar cravings.
If you don't mind sore boobs and weight gain and don't have bad acne, then it's not bad. I just don't want to gain weight, and I want clearer skin. I work hard to stay thin and I exercise daily. I went from 113 to 123, and saw no end in sight so I got off it and started feeling better immediately. I am going to try Yaz. I hear a lot of good things and my dermatologist recommended it after I visited while on this particular brand.
September 18, 2009
Pros:
Birth control
Cons:
Break outs worse at first but still worse than before ever on the pill. I have to wash my face with heavy duty cleanser! Extremely tender breasts once a month then it goes away.
Worth it overall
September 18, 2009
Pros:
My breasts had gotten firmer, which is not saying much since im 36DD.
Cons:
Nauseous, Tired, Dizzy, headaches that increased in severity, confused and dis oriented.
I started this pill a week ago, on the first day I had taken a pill and i had gotten nauseous then i had thought it was because I hadn't eaten anything, so the next day I had taken a pill after dinner and i wasnt naseous but for the rest of the week I was tired then when the weekend had started I became nauseous all over again and I had a headache that started on friday at 7 and went away when i woke up the next morning but was back as soon as 7p.m. had came around. On monday I was so tired and nauseous that I felt like I was going to pass out and the headaches didnt help like clock work it had came back at 7. So I had stopped taking it on wednesday and it is now thursday and I have been feeling better the only thing was that I had a slight headache but it stopped after 10 mins. So now I would not recommend this birthcontrol to anyone.
Pros:
No more babies, knowing when I'm going to start my period, No more spotting for a week before, boobs got bigger..