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
June 15, 2012
Cons:
- Gained about ten pounds and my boobs grew a cup size
- First three months were bad
I completely recommend Ortho Tri-Cyclen to clear your acne.
Just a warning, the first three months were VERY difficult. I initially tried to take my pill right before bed to avoid the hunger I heard about, but it didn't prevent the hunger - it just woke me up in the middle of the night with a horrible feeling like extreme hunger. So, I started taking it at noon right before lunch and that fixed everything. I also felt my mood get very weird, like indescribable. I almost stopped, but when a girl I knew said it took her three months to get used to it, I decided to stick it out. It's not like it's impossible, so don't think your mood is going to get so bad you can't stay on it.
After about those three months, my mood was back to normal and my skin is SO much clearer. I can now take the pill right before bed and have no bad side effects - or any at all.
I also gained about 10 pounds, but I think it is preventable. I am 5'7" and before I started I was about 118 lbs - after being on it about 5 months I was about 128. However, I also had just started college and my diet was poor, and I also wasn't on the strict workout regimen I was before going on the pill. Altogether, I think I can lose the weight by getting back on my workout and diet regimen, it just won't be AS easy as without the pill. But it's not impossible!
Lastly, my boobs grew from a 32D to a 32DD... which I'm not happy about. It's annoying to have to buy new bras, but it's worth it for the great skin effects. I'm sure they'll shrink when I'm back off it anyway. BOTTOM LINE: I completely recommend Ortho Tri-Cyclen, ESPECIALLY if you have tried other medicines that don't work. I've gone through one antibiotic pill that worked and then stopped after about a year, one that never worked, and then another that worked alright. Finally I asked my dermatologist for the pill, because I kind of knew mine was hormonal due to my breakout patterns. Now I only get a few little zits when
April 25, 2012
Pros:
* bigger breasts
* clearer skin
*predictable periods
* mild cramps
Cons:
Bad initial breakout first 2-3months
Weight gain/ increased appetite
This is my second time on this birth control. First time I took it was bc I had broken out soo bad from coming off the depo shot... not knowing that my body went haywire due to the shot.. so my doctor agreed to put me back on bc but this time in orthotricylen for skin benefits. I didn't experience an initial breakout bc my acne was already severe from coming off the shot.. so into my 5th month is when I started seeing results.. I stopped the medication the begining if month 6 of last year 2011 Soo... my skin stayed clear for 2 months so I was thinking maybe I won't breakout anymore... I was soo wrong I started getting nodules on my jawline and pustules so I finally decided to get back on ortho and experience a bad initial breakout covering entire jawline and chin area, then moved up to my cheeks, at this point I was regretting stopping in the first place I couldn't even see my current bf at the time bc it was that bad! But I stuck it through bc I knew I would eventually clear up! It just takes time and patience.. now I have some sits but not like it use to be.. so if you are willing to give this bc a try give it 3-5 months.. i am on month 6 and I'm finally starting to feel confident again!! :) GOOD LUCK GALS! :)
March 24, 2012
Pros:
--Clearer skin, less breakouts
--Less oily skin
--Predictable cycle
--No pregnancies
Cons:
--Initial breakout
I just finished my third month on Ortho, and I am finally having more clear days a month than days with acne. I did get a pretty bad initial breakout the third week in during my first month, but after that cleared I haven't got a horrible breakout since. I do get a few pimples the week before my period, but my skin is usually breakout free the rest of the time. My boyfriend has been complimenting me on my skin lately, so I can tell it's working. Also, I've noticed that my skin is less oily throughout the day which is nice because I don't have to reapply powder as much.
I didn't have any side effects that the other girls on here seemed to have trouble with. No nausea, bad cramps, headaches, weight gain, etc...
I am a little disappointed my boobs didn't get bigger, but oh well, at least my skin is looking nice :)
March 8, 2012
Pros:
No acne
Breasts grew!
decrease in oily hair
Cons:
Risk of blood clot
slight weight gain
long periods
I had terrible acne before taking ortho tri cyclin low. i was covered in it. had severe cystic acne all over my back. this has been a miracle drug for my acne. within a week it was almost all gone. although this helped me, i wish i could go off it. there is a risk of blood clots. also, i tried to stop taking it for 3 days and just 3 days without it made me have insanely greasy hair (which i never had before....) and a bunch of acne. tbh, id try this medicine if nothing else has worked. its worth a try... but be aware of the risks.
March 2, 2012
Pros:
Not Pregnant
Shorter, lighter period
Boobs slightly bigger
Acne cleared up
No weight gain
Greatly reduced cramping
Cons:
Crave food (which caused me to eat a bunch of chocolate and my chin broke out severely for a week)
More emotional
I'm pretty happy I started taking Ortho :)
February 16, 2012
Pros:
Helps with periods
Acne has cleared
Prevents Pregnancy
Cons:
Migraines
Nausea & Abdominal Cramping
I went on this pill hoping for regular periods & less acne, and it's done a great job for that.
However, since I started the pill, I have been having a couple of bad headaches here and there, and nausea with cramping.
I guess when it comes to the hormones, it differs to the individual.
I don't have a problem with remember when to take it, I usually take it in the evening after dinner.
February 14, 2012
Pros:
Kept acne to a minimum
Prevents Pregnancy
Even out mood swings and cravings
Period always on time.
Cons:
Must be taken at the same time everyday
As a birth control it's great and I've had no issues whatsoever. As an acne treatment it keeps it under control but doesn't cure it or clear skin completely.
February 9, 2012
Pros:
Contraception
Bigger breasts
Controls PCOS symptoms
Clears up acne/ reduces oil in face
No loss of sex drive
Doesn't make me gain weight
Cons:
Tender breasts in first month
Heavier period
Mood swings
As stated by my doctor, this birth control like any takes some time for the body to get used to. The worst symptom I had were the extremely tender breasts. It really did reduce the oil on my face.
February 5, 2012
Pros:
Not pregnant
Shorter periods
less moody
Cons:
Weight gain
Acne showed up after taking it
As long as it does its main job, its good. Few added bonuses as listed in pros. I get it free from planned parenthood.
January 18, 2012
Pros:
- Improved acne drastically
- Improved skin complexion
- Less moodiness
- Increased breast size
- Lighter periods
- Facial hair lightened
Cons:
- low energy and irritability for a few days off it
- Increased appetite
- Remembering to take pill
I was skeptical of this product at first because of the reviews but I really like it. Doctor said first few months might be difficult, but after finishing my first pack I like the results already. Barely any acne flareups since I started and my mood was improved as well! Cons of this product was that my appetite increased causing some weight gain but its barely noticeable. Also I realized when I came off it to have my period, I had some mood swings but it went away after a few days. I have tried almost everything to control my acne for years and I finally found something that works. I Highly recommend this product!
Pros:
- Cleared most acne
- Shorter, lighter periods
- $7 for a 3 month supply!