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
December 16, 2010
Cons:
takes a while to work.
might cause weight gain
makes you breakout at first
I started this in August, Tri-Cyclen, and it really took a while to see positive effects. It really does make you breakout somewhat bad at first, and usually around the mouth and chin because those are hormonal places to breakout. It took at least three months to really start to clear up, but now it's doing a great job! As for weight gain, I don't think it did that to me, and if so it wasn't anything more then maybe 2 pounds. Overall, it cleared up my acne when really nothing else worked. And it's only 10 bucks a month!
December 14, 2010
Pros:
helps control acne breakouts
eases cramps
regulates period
Cons:
weight gain? Actually, I haven't gained weight, but I cannot seem to lose weight, either, even when dieting stringently.
I like the birth control alot (I'm on ortho cyclen). It really helps with my hormonal acne, but I've just learned -- unfortunately by trying it out-- that skipping a period by taking all active blue pills, can cause you to break out really badly. It sucks because I've been on this bc for about 7 months, and my skin was doing really, really well -- getting better every month. But then I skipped a period and all hell broke lose. I'm in the second month after skipping and its starting to calm down. I won't skip in the future, and hopefully my skin will be nice again :)
December 8, 2010
Pros:
- Prevented pregnancy for 6-7 years.
- Reduced acne
- Period lightened
- Period lasted 3-5 days instead of 7 which I had before the BC.
- Less cramps
Cons:
- Weight gain (I also gained weight after I got off the pill two months ago; so after dieting I am back to my normal weight)
- Decreased sex drive
I would reccommend this brand of BC...If you are have acne, regular sex, and strong cramps - it works. My only worry is if it will prevent me from getting pregnant for much longer then BC with lower hormonal levels.
November 19, 2010
Pros:
Clearer skin!!!
everything under the sun
Cons:
Nausea
Ok so I am 22 and I have had moderately severe acne since I was 12. Ten Years ew sick!! I have tried everything proactiv, murad. every otc product, natural remedies, ocm, retin a, doxy, benzoyl, yaz. etc... my doc just put me on OTC a week ago along with minocycline 100mg twice a day (200mg total) and my skin is already better. BC usually gives you an intitial breakout but the antibiotics have stopped that. my face, chest and back are clearing up beautifully. my face was an oil slick an hour after i would wash and yes i use moisturizer. Since OTC i have normal skin. I havent experienced any weight gain, big boobs, or mood swings but the first couple pills made me really nauseas even if i ate them with food.
November 14, 2010
Pros:
* Cramps are much more tolerable and only last the first day of my period if I have any at all. When I was not on Ortho (BC), my cramps were debilitating (servere) for the first one to two days of my period.
* Cleared up my skin beautifully. With Ortho (BC), I have very rare, infrequent, and minor breakouts. Without Ortho (BC), my breakouts were moderate to moderately severe and continual. I had large, cystic, painful acne on a regular basis.
* Helps heal ovarian cysts.
* Lighter, regul
Cons:
* Tanks your sex drive. (Loss of frequent intamacy with my spouse)
* Can make you very nauseated when you take the first one to two pills with each new pack. Possibly b/c the hormone dosage is high.
* In my opinion, mood swings were much less off the pill.
I recommend this brand of BC. Especially if you have painful, moderate to severe acne, heavy, irregular periods, moderate to severe cramps, or frequent ovarian cysts. It should help tremendously. Do your research, and talk to a doctor. It does help prevent pregnancy, of course, but I would only recommend it for the other reasons, unless you are married, as I do not condone premarital sex.
November 2, 2010
Pros:
larger breast, skin starting to clear, not as moody as compared to other bc ive tried, not pregnant.
Cons:
sick first week, always wanting to eat & once i eat i crave something sweet (maybe just goin threw a stage becuase i love to eat) weight goes from 113 to 118 but its worth not getting pregnant.
not a bad bc, its worth a try. ive had mirena, yaz, nuva ring now ortho lo & this has the least side effects so far. ive never had kids so mirena didnt work for me unfortunately.. severe cramping & i already have bad cramps. hope this helps.
October 29, 2010
Pros:
Did clear my skin.
Cons:
Takes several months to become effective, and acne will come back once your off it.
I have been on this for 11 years now. I had moderately severe acne when I was 18 and within 4-5 months being on ortho tri-cyclen my face was clear, with only the occasional pimple. I tried to get off of it once, and the same acne that I had when i was 18 came back! Once I got back on it, it went away again in another 4-5 months. Dissapointing, since I want to start trying for a baby, and I hate feeling like I am dependant on this stuff for the rest of my life.
September 30, 2010
Pros:
Cleared up acne A LOT
Shorter, lighter period
Cons:
Makes me feel a little nauseous. I threw up the first week I took it.
My breasts are sore. I thought that would last like, the first month only, but I still feel it and I'm halfway through the second month.
I had HORRIBLE acne. I wanted to cry every time I looked in the mirror. I never left the house without wearing make up, which made my face even oilier. I hated leaving the house.
My acne got so bad, my mom set up an appointment with a dermatologist and he prescribed me Tri Sprintec, which is the generic version of Ortho Tri Cyclen. I didn't see results the first couple weeks, but I'm on the 2nd month and my skin is SO much clearer than ever. I still break out a little bit, but it's not nearly as bad. I also don't wear as much make up when i go out. I have a lot of scarring from previous acne and I doubt this will help it, but it's cleared up almost all of my existing acne. I would definitely recommend this product.
It makes me feel kind of sick when I take it- I feel nauseated, but the pros definitely outweigh the cons.
September 19, 2010
Pros:
birth control, sorted out moodiness from my previous pills, weight loss (i think), decreased massive appetite & heartburn from previous pills, cleared up not being able to drink alcohol (sounds weird but i couldn't on Alesse, I got violently ill)
Cons:
a couple painful pimples so far, severe breast & nipple tenderness & huge amount of breast growth (went from B to D in 3 weeks... really rough)
I switched to Ortho Tri-Cyclen from Alesse 3 weeks ago, and i think so far it may be improving my issues I had with Alesse. I have some acne now, but it could still be from Alesse which gave me SEVERE extremely painful acne. The worst thing i have noticed is the effects on my breasts, I went up 2 full cup sizes in 3 weeks.. which unfortunately resulted in some stretch marks. I also am very sore from under my armpit around to my nipples, it actually hurts a bit to even move my arms, hopefully it goes away..
September 9, 2010
Pros:
No pregnancy
No weight gain
Cons:
Bad breakout so far...on my 3rd week! :(
Slightly moody in 3rd week but not that bad
So far no weight gain whatsoever! I personally don't think the pill makes you gain visible weight, people just like to blame the pill for their laziness. I was terrified to start the pill because I thought I'd gain weight or go insane because that's what the reviews say, but that's so far from the truth...I think there's a bigger issue than the pill if you want to kill everyone in site. So far I've been on almost a month and would so far recommend to anyone. Can't wait for face to clear up though..
Pros:
clears up hormonal acne (cysts) and deeper pimples.