Acne.org Products
Hormonal Therapy
Efficacy
63%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Note: Improvement significantly increases after 24 weeks.
Hormonal Therapy
Acne.org’s Real World Take
Any brand of oral contraceptive appears to clear the skin about the same amount, regardless of whether it is officially approved for acne treatment. Some people report complete clearing of acne symptoms and others see partial relief. However, artificially controlling your hormones is a serious decision, so it’s best to proceed with caution.
Hormonal Therapy
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 Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
March 18, 2008
Cons:
hard to remember
I like it. I mean, I don't know if it has cleared up my skin much (its more on and off) but overall, I have never been pregnant or gained weight, I had some nausea at first and a couple vomits but overall nice.
March 11, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
does its job
Cons:
lack of sexual desire/bodily response, gas
Lack of sexual desire is right! I've been on Yasmin for a month and wow, I've never been so uninclined to masturbate or so on/off (ie. wet, then dry) during sex. Will continue taking the pill for another month just to make sure it is Yasmin and not some other factor, but I doubt it! Advised to go on Yasmin by a doctor because it was stronger than Alesse (which didn't work for me) and it was covered under my healthcare plan. Then again most things are. Might end up trying Ortho Tricyclen.
March 4, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
I haven't gotten pregnant
Cons:
about a week ago I had a red, itchy bump on my stomach, then another and another. Now each morning I have another 2-3 red itchy bumps. More acne on face and my boobs itch like crazy
I took Yasmin a few years ago but with updates and maybe how my body has changed, the two don't match any more. I can't keep having itchy red spots on my stomach and now moving up my neck
February 29, 2008
Pros:
No condom, Regular period
Cons:
I never had pimples, now there everywhere!!! Overly sensitive and emotional, bacterial infection, Belly weight gain!!
Great at prevnting pregnancy. Worked when I was younger... now my b ody just isn't liking it very well.
February 18, 2008
Pros:
regular period :)
Cons:
breakouts and tired...
I have been on ortho lo for about 6 weeks and my acne has gotten so much worse.. has anyone else experienced this? i was wondering if it will eventually get better? maybe i havent given it long enough to work... or maybe it starts off bad and then gets better? if anyone knows please help..
February 17, 2008
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
None
Cons:
Everything! This messed with my teen daughter's body--mood swings, anxiety, leg tremors, heart palpitrations, and periods that lasted over 2 weeks. Cystic acne lasted for weeks after she stopped the pill--acne was far worse than when she began!
Teen daughter was put on this by an OB/GYN for acne and it is terrible! All you hve to do is Google "Yaz" and "side effects" and ou will see the list is long and growing longer everyday...the FDA has quite a few complaints already. Skip this and try anything else for your acne.
February 15, 2008
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
I love Yaz........I DO NOT get acne anymore! I used to get terrible breakouts. If I get a zit, it is a small one and only around my period time! I love this pill! My periods are one time and light.
Cons:
Expensive, but I am using it for acne and as a pregnancy prevention.
LOVE IT!
February 13, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Clears up acne, helps prevent pregnancy
Cons:
Very emotional, high anxiety, depression, cry almost daily about silly little things.
I was on Trinessa which was great, but I developed a cyst on my ovary so they switched my pill to Yasmin. I've been on it a year and a half and have had multiple health issues. I started thinking maybe it was because of the change in my pill. After reading all these reviews, I'm convinced that it's this pill! I am stopping it as soon as my next cycle!
January 25, 2008
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Stabilized my mood, Face stayed clear, Boobs got bigger
Cons:
Totally zapped my sex drive, Increased heart-rate, Night-fevers
It's not worth it. My lack of sex drive was killing my relationship. Plus, the night-fevers and increased heart rate really made me nervous.
January 25, 2008
Pros:
Went on pill 10 yrs ago for birth control strictly to not get pregnant....no acne problems ever before going on the pill
Cons:
About 3 months after going off the pill, I started to breakout horribly! I have heard it can take sometimes up to a year until my skin is normal.
Personally, I think that the "skin clearing benefits" may not be such a good thing in the long run (when you stop taking the pill). I never had ANY skin problems in my life until just going off of the pill. My girlfriend was on the pill (not ortho try-clyen) and had a little breakouts, but not like w/ OrthoTri-clene Im 28 yrs old and breaking out like crazy for about 3 months now. I went on the pill to not get prenant yrs ago, & I thought it was just an added bonus if I got an occasional blemish to be on ortho tri-cyclen, but wishing now my Dr. would have recommended me just a generic brand of BCP (one that has nothing to do with skin clearing benefits) since I didn't any help with my skin to begin with! My hormones are all out of wack now too (obviously b/c of my skin going crazy! Any suggestions would be so helpful.
Pros:
no pregnancy, no weight gain