Oral Contraceptives
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Side Effects

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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Compare To Other Treatments
5
19.7%
4
30.4%
3
21.8%
2
16%
1
12.1%

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May 24, 2007

Pros:

No sexual or other side effects.

Cons:

WORST ACNE OF MY WHOLE LIFE! Very expensive, insurance doesn't cover.

I am on Ortho Tri-cyclen Lo. I started taking it to help with acne that developed after stopping birth control. I went from having some problems with breakouts to HORRIBLE cystic acne along my jawline that is now spreading to my cheeks. Now I have tons of tiny bumps all over my chin, and cysts, and red inflamed bumps that won't go away. And I will have scars from this. I have done a lot of research and attribute it to this pill. I just finished my 2nd pack and am stopping it and going back to a different kind of BC pill. I am now trying to get my acne under control with Benzamycin and a retinoid. I am done with this pill. Worst thing I ever did for my complexion. Too bad because it was great otherwise.
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May 24, 2007

Pros:

didn't get pregnant

Cons:

water retention (bloating), weight gain, HORRIBLE ACNE

horrible for your skin...!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it took forever for my skin to clear up from proactiv solution after using it for like 4 years... and now all of a suddent ortho tricyclen has made me break out ALL OVER my face a few cysts and mostly small bumps .. i cannot stress more over my entire face which hasn't happened in like 4 years.
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May 23, 2007
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

No weight gain, clear up acne, short periods

Cons:

none

I love this product. I have not had any weight gain or anything. No side effects at all. I take it in the morning, usually on an empty stomach and it works great.
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April 22, 2007

Pros:

Provided birth control with only moderate weight gain

Cons:

made my acne spread like wildfire. WORST ACNE OF MY WHOLE LIFE!!

I first tried regular OTC in hopes that it would work for my moderate acne like the commercials proclaimed. Before I realized it, I had zits in places that I didn't know you could get them!!! and we aren't talking just whiteheads. I am talking serious, pussy cysts. So of course after those 3 months of hell, I switched, and this time gave OTC low a try. Now I don't have cysts, but I have horrible acne on my back that I never used to have!!! No matter what medicine I try to get rid of the zits, nothing worked. So I decided to go off of OTC low and what do you know? NO ZITS. Now I am looking for a brand of birth control that doesn't cause this kind of side effect.
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April 15, 2007
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

4 periods a year (if you want), shortest periods

Cons:

spotting, hormonal mood swings, night sweats?, doesn't help acne at all... might make it worse

I took OTC for 8 years, recently instructed my Dr that it wasn't helping my acne anymore and she told me that after time your body adapts and it may not have the same effects. She switched me to Yasmin and told me i could control my periods better by only having them every 10 weeks. My skin has become terribly broken out in the past year I've been taking these. I also recently realized that I have begun having night sweats that may be due to this pill. Terrible mood swings and mild depression seem to be common to other users of this pill and not just me. I'm going to change pills the next time I see my Dr.
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March 25, 2007

Cons:

made my skin much much much worse. Well into month three my skin looks worse than it ever has in my life. No very pleased.

I used this for years and it worked great. My hormones changed after kids and now it's a nightmare for me.
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March 16, 2007

Pros:

It's great for cramps and it cleared my acne in the past.

Cons:

expensive for me ($43 month) and it's not working this time yet

I used this before having kids and it was fantastic! My skin was fine for years. Then I started Trinessa (worst drug ever made) and got sick, cramps, spotting, horrible acne, depression...I just went back on OTC brand for two months and my skin is just as bad if not worse. My derm said keep waiting b/c it might take another month or so. I'm praying it does work and if not does anyone have another recommendation for me in the pill?
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March 10, 2007

Pros:

Cleared my acne for awhile, made my period regular

Cons:

My acne is bad again! ugh!

I don't get it? For a LONG time my birth control helped my acne A LOT! My skin went from being bad to almost perfect..and now my skin is horrible again. I've been on the pill for over 4 years. I don't understand why it helped it so much and then backfired on me? Does it quit helping acne after a certain time of taking it or what?
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February 27, 2007

Pros:

lighter period

Cons:

bad acne, expensive, and stomach pain

I have had moderate acne for years. I started taking otc for my acne and by month three my face was covered in pimples some people swears it clears them up. But it was the worst my acne has been ever!!!
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February 22, 2007

Pros:

Regulated my period, made is shorter and lighter.

Cons:

Terrible acne!!

I've always had pimples here and there... but once I started taking Ortho-Low I constantly have huge zits around my jaw line! I definitely need to find something new. Plus it's expensive!
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