Oral Contraceptives
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Oral contraceptives, otherwise known as birth control pills, are also approved to treat acne. They work by regulating male hormones in the female...

Oral contraceptives, otherwise known as birth control pills, are also approved to treat acne. They work by regulating male hormones in the female body. Less male hormones normally lead to less acne. 

Oral contraceptives contain an estrogen component (ethinyl estradiol) that is combined with progestin hormones, such as drospirenone (Yasmin® or Yaz®), norgestimate (Ortho Tri-Cyclen®) or norethindrone (Estrostep®). 

Oral contraceptives are taken once a day with a meal. Make sure to take the pill at the same time every day.

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Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

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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!
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June 8, 2011

Pros:

My moderate acne COMPLETELY went away. Lighter periods, a lot less period cramping (I used to have severe pain).

Cons:

I'm always hungry when I take it, after the first year I had gained 10 pounds, and then could not manage to lose the weight.

I ended up going off of the this medication a month ago because of the weight gain/always feeling hungry. Since then, I did lose about 6 pounds, and my appetite has been a lot more normal. However, my acne is already back (I had forgot how bad it was). I'm afraid that cystic acne will return, and I will probably go back on ortho tri-cyclen as soon as I can get into the doc for a prescription. I had a fair amount of scarring and redness from acne breakouts in the past and over the past year or so it finally started to fade away and I was finally comfortable going out in public without makeup on occasion. (I used to NEVER go out without foundation on, even on a quick tirp to the grocery store or fast food drive through) I'm on the fence between trying out a different BC that will hopefully work on my acne and won't cause the appetite problems, but am afraid that if a different birth control doesn't work I will end up with more scarring.
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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.
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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.
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January 11, 2011
The best thing I can say for Ortho Tricyclen (I went on the low dosage pill) is that it was extra protection against pregnancy when I was sexually active, and it was free because it was covered by my insurance. The worst thing I can say for this pill.... well quite frankly there's a lot of negatives. While taking the pill I broke out even more than usual, and that was in the first 3 weeks of taking it, when I was being super careful not to miss a day. The pimples would come up in areas I didn't usually experience acne- my cheeks, and it came up worse than ever on my T zone. When I started accidentally missing days, or taking the pill at different times, it got much worse. My period would restart and I'd have up to 3 periods in a month which obviously messed up my hormones- I started breaking out worse than I ever had. I know it was my fault, but I'm naturally a forgetful person & making sure I always took the pill at the EXACT same time every day was difficult for me. The worst part about this pill, however, was that it caused me to become absolutely lifeless. Honestly, it completely warped my personality/mental state to the point where I would try to do my favorite things and would feel absolutely no point in doing anything- it was like I could no longer experience happiness. I've been depressed before due to going through certain life experiences, but this depression was unnatural and pretty frightening. I couldn't stop it and it was getting so bad that I eventually I just weaned myself off of the medication. Point is: if you're the type of person who takes a long time to get used to a routine or regimen, this is not the medication for you... even on a low dosage. Be careful, and make sure to look out for symptoms of depression.
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January 5, 2011
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

clear skin
havent gotten pregnent
regulated period
short period

Cons:

SORE BREAST!!
stomach pain

ive been on it a year and i like it
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October 26, 2010

Pros:

controlled break outs sometimes, regular periods

Cons:

Took for 9 months without missing a dose in addition to having PCOS, I am PREGNANT!
-Mood swings
-depression
-weight gain
-spotting

I would not use this medication alone to prevent pregnancy, also use condoms for 100% effectiveness. Was on this for 9 months without missing a dose, the first night my husband comes back from afghanistan we conceive a child. I'm switching to the patch. Be careful with this drug.
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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.
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June 23, 2010

Pros:

breasts went from D to DD
Not pregnant
No spotting

Cons:

Made acne worse
First period on it was 2 weeks long!!!
Makes me tired

I was on Yaz for 3 years but started to get worried because of all the negative press on this. My doctor prescribed me OTC and I started it a month and a half ago. My first period on OTC was 2 weeks long!!!! I hope it's just my body getting used to the different doses of hormones. Same with acne. I get on avg 2 pimples a day, and some are cystic and painful. btw, the acne started when I got my period, which happened while I was on Yaz, but with Yaz it went away with my period. Anyway my take on OTC is wait and see for now. I'm gonna give it 2 more pill packs and if my acne doesn't get better, I'm going to ask for a different pill. I'd rather be on a pill that doesn't really help with the acne that I do get, not make it worse!
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April 10, 2017
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
WORKED STRAIGHT AWAY!
So I'm 20 and I decided to begin Yasmin for my moderate acne a month ago. I am just starting pack two tomorrow. My skin has never been so good EVER. Honestly from day one it worked for me with absolutely so initial break out (well so far anyway!) I have got the odd spot here and there but they are very easy to deal with that I don't complain at all! This is completely worth it! I must admit I did get a few headaches at the beginning maybe first two to three weeks but other than that it's been fantastic! Definitely worth a try if your struggling like I have for the past 5 years! I've tried EVERYTHING, topical treatments, anti biotics (which worked for a year then acne came back), dianette was no good for me but Yasmin by far has been clearing my acne remarkably!
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Courtneymar97
April 18, 2017
UPDATE!! So I'm into my second pack and on week 6. I did have a small flare up of maybe 3 or 4 spots, not big ones though in the past week, but I am hoping this is just part of an initial breakout! I'll keep updating guys!
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Courtneymar97
June 14, 2017
UPDATE 2 - I'm now finished pack 4! Skin is very clear! I think now I would call my skin "normal". I still get maybe I spot or two within a month but just a small one along the jawline or maybe close to my hairline on my forehead but literally gone within two days! I am very happy with my results so far and I hope that it continues to clear even more!! My hyperpigmentation is also fading too a lot!! Especially on my cheeks where I used to break out and since taking yasmin I have never ever got a spot there since! Couldn't be happier!
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