Hormonal Therapy
Reviews
3.3
2743 Reviews
Hormonal Therapy
Efficacy
63%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Note: Improvement significantly increases after 24 weeks.
Hormonal Therapy
Side Effects
High
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.
Read All About Oral Contraceptives
Compare To Other Treatments
5
19.7%
4
30.4%
3
21.8%
2
16%
1
12%

Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
November 9, 2009

Pros:

birth control, no wt gain

Cons:

bad skin, felt sick for 3 mths, very tired and going mental sometimes.Short-tempered.

Arghh, my skin is a nitemare.I'm constantly getting spots and pigmentation marks afterwards coz it never heals up properly. I'm just coming off it.Been on Yasmine for 8 mths, felt sick and tired initially, now sickness is better but still tired. Need PM nap now and never before! This bad skin (they come out all over my face especially a jawline and cheeks) and enlarged boobs (I had been cup size c before, gone up to DD) made me to come off it. i have no life with this acne and massive boobs.Got strech marks on them coz grown so rapidly also get back pain. Also extended cellulite although no WT gain. Actually, lost about 4 pounds since getting on. Previously on Microgynon 30. a stone and a half WT gain but no spots.Confused...
November 6, 2009

Pros:

induced my period. bobs have grown a bit

Cons:

none

helped mood swings, induced my period within 3 weeks of taking it and i hadnt had one for 4 months. no mood wings. did not expect my period as i usually would.
October 21, 2009

Pros:

skin is clear:) bigger breasts
prevents pregnancy

love it.
October 17, 2009

Pros:

makes skin looks pretty, regulates period and keeps my weight stable

Cons:

>It gave me acne in places I never had it before.
>Gave me nausea- BAD. The first pack (3 weeks) was all nausea but after then it was okay.
> I definitely had a loss in my sex drive. Which lasted for more than a month.

I use this to regulate my periods and it has done that. I haven't gained weight but it has made me nauseated with a decrease sex drive. And even though I had acne it did clear up in a month or two. But if you need it for regulating your periods, I'd get it.
October 13, 2009

Pros:

It will clear up my skin, and help me not to get pregnant, and lose weight.

Cons:

loss of sexual interest.

I dont find anything wrong with it :) i love it.
October 11, 2009

Pros:

Pregnancy prevention

Cons:

Depression,
major acne Breakouts,
Weight gain,

I'm on the generic Ocella and have heard others comment that only the Yazmin works well. However, I don't understand how this pill could make my acne worse when it's specifically supposed to lower androgrens. :-(
October 10, 2009

Pros:

breast size went up one cup size.

Cons:

acne. I have never had a problem with my skin, and I have huge painful blemishes right now. just finishing up my first pack. I will stick it out one more month but if the acne does not go away ~ I am going to try something else

jurys still out.
September 30, 2009

Pros:

Less oily skin, bigger breasts (though sore the entire month -- I don't mind though)

Cons:

Hardcore breakouts before my period, SPOTTING

This pill was the best of both worlds. For most of the month my skin wasn't very oily and I had little to no acne. However, before my period I would be noticeably oilier and I would break out A LOT, like about 8-10 pimples at a time. Not to mention the time it would take after my period for the pimples to heal... ALSO, I recently stopped using this for a month because I noticed over the past two months or so I was spotting all the time (I had to wear panty liners every day), and I just noticed that the hair on my face was much more intense. I have blonde hair so it's not too terrible but I've become very self conscious of it. I don't remember it being a big deal before. All of this considered, I plan on starting up on Yaz again after my next period. Luckily, my boyfriend said he'd split the price with me this time around so why not :). Birth control sure does spoil you when it comes to condoms -- we are safe though!
September 21, 2009

Pros:

Yasmin has been great at preventing pregnancy. It also has completely cleared up my skin...I used to have acne all over my face, but I don't have any since taking Yasmin!!

Cons:

A little expensive for me, but it will depend on your insurance. I switched to the generic form and it works exactly the same for me! So, that has helped save some money.

Try it! It might take some time to find the right birth control pill for you, but Yasmin is worth trying, especially if you are currently suffering from acne.
September 2, 2009

Pros:

prevents pregnancy

Cons:

made acne worse!

after getting off ortho after 2 years i stopped using birthcontrol for 6 months, i went back and used this one and man did my acne get worse, i got acne where i never got it before which sucked

Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.