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
August 23, 2009
Cons:
Slight mood swings at first, can be expensive without good insurance
I've used this product for four years it's amazing. My periods are always on time, light and only last four days. My acne was never too bad, but it keeps my face relatively clear, except for right around the time of my period I'll get a few pimples.
I have tried the generic type and it was awful, horrible cramps, long irregular periods and severe breakouts.
August 14, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
it really cleared up my skin along time ago. I been on this pill about a month and a half. I know exactly when I'm getting my period. No bleeding or stomach cramps.
Cons:
I am breaking out like crazy! I heard it takes about 3 months for your body to fully adjust to birth control again. I'm always hungry and I rarely feel full.
Christy from Raleigh, NC I'm having the same problem as you. I used to be on this pill for about a year and I stopped for a good 4 months and now I'm back on it again and I don't remember if my acne is suppose to get worse before it gets better. I definitely hope so especially since it really cleared up my skin in the past. I'll give this 3 full months if not then I'm definitely going off this. Let me know how it's going for you.
August 12, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Birth control
Prevents ovarian cysts
Cons:
Cystic acne
Increased hair on upper lip, chin and eyebrows
Leg Cramps
I am 32 years old and was diagnosed with a large ovarian cyst which required surgery. In order to prevent another one, my OB/GYN advised me to start a birth control. I chose Yaz because of its reputation for skin clearing effects and mood control. My skin was always fairly clear with a break out around my period, but now I have cystic acne on my neck, jawline, chest and back. I saw a dermatologist this morning who recommended a prescription acne treatment. I started the Yaz 3 weeks ago and I noticed symtpoms within about 9 days. It's probably rare, but I am thinking about switching to Loestrin. It has a different hormone, which I hope will help my skin go back to its original clear form.
August 8, 2009
Pros:
Finally having periods.
Cons:
SEVERE change in mood and thoughts.Headaches, nausea, acne in weird places, and increased appetite.
I can't have periods on my own so my gyno put me on OTC. I have been on this for 2 months now and I feel like I am having a complete mental breakdown. I stay depressed, tired and angry. These side effects have caused a major problem between my fiance and I. I am not normally like this at all. I absolutely hate this stuff!!! I do not recommend taking this if you have any depression symptoms beforehand.
August 4, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
light periods.
Cons:
tons of acne
never again. i will never take yaz. i cleared up instantly after i got off it.
August 4, 2009
Pros:
No babies, helps with endometriosis
Cons:
Mood swings like terrible for the first month or so
I went on birth control to help with my acne and it really didn't do anything for that. My acne only started clearing up when I started using the regimen. So if you don't wanna have any bebes or you have horrible cramps, then that's fine, but only get it if you have insurance because in my experience it did nothing for my acne and I've been on it for 10 months now.
August 4, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
cleared up skin dramatically had baby but soft skin !! and made my periods regular
i left Yaz for a while because my insurance didnt cover it i had taken Yaz for about 7 months and it cleared my face completly with no weight gain after Yaz i got on Trinessa it was horrible it made me breakout severely gain weight and bleed for a whole month !!! but know im back on Yaz ive only been taking it for about 3 weeks but his time ive gained a little weight and my acne hasnt cleared completley but im going to give it time i did take it for a long time before so let see what happens
July 28, 2009
Pros:
slight breast growth
Cons:
mood swings
when i first started taking ortho tri cyclen, i had pretty bad mood swings. id get a bump on my face and burst into tears because i thought i was gona develop acne from the hormones in the pill. those subsided after a month or so of just getting used to the pill and everythings been completely fine. i dont really react all that much to anything as far as side effects, so it hasnt really given me any. id say its effective in not having babies thus far but usually im quite careful about that anyways, so i suppose we'll see :P
July 10, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
FAB! Yaz cleared my skin COMPLETELY, even acne on my back that was very cystic and hard to get rid of! At first, I used it in combo with Spironolactone, but was able to stop the Spiro and only use Yaz b/c Yaz was so effective for acne!!
Cons:
Expensive ($50 copay w/my insurance), Breakthrough bleeding even after 6 months of being on it. Maybe more prone to crying?
Pros outweighed the cons. I want to go back on it! I'm currently on TriNessa and it's horrible!! It is giving me the worst acne I've had in my life and I've been on it for 6 months (switched to TriNessa b/c Yaz was expensive), so I think I've given it a fair shot at improving my acne and it seems like it isn't going to do the job!!! I know BC pills affect every woman differently, but I think Yaz is a great pill and I want to go back on it! Wish my copay was cheaper, but it's worth it. It's also worth the breakthrough bleeding--sometimes taking it at same time every day helps prevent the bleeding, so we'll see. Good luck, all!
June 28, 2009
Pros:
Prevention of pregancy, lighter periods
Cons:
longer periods,acne,makes me tired
I have been takin this pill for a month and a week. When i first started takin it i was fine but then i started to get very sleepy. In the middle of the day i would start feeling extremely tired. When i got my period for the first time while on the pill it amazed me at how light my period was. Before the pill my flow was usually very heavy and now all i have to wear is a panty liner. My skin hasn't gotten that bad while taking the pill but i have been gettin more pimples than usual. Hopefully my skin will go back to normal and my sleepiness will ware off.
Pros:
Light periods, minimal cramps, helps with endometriosis, very very mild breakouts around time of period