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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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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.
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February 22, 2008

Pros:

no pregnancy

Cons:

I've been on my period for two weeks or more each both months and cramps throughout each period. Fatigue. Pretty irritating.

i've only been on for two months the Lo kind for two months now so i'm not sure what it's going to do later on. It was sorda cheap. I got it from planned parenthood. Acne on my forehead seemed to have gotten worse. Best of luck to you.
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February 19, 2008

Pros:

Slight Skin Clearing, No Pregnant.

Cons:

Severe Migraines, Gained weight that wont go away, low sex drive,

Not worth it. although yaz was worse. my skin was decent and now its a wreck.
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February 15, 2008

Pros:

Great skin! no pregnancy, short periods

Cons:

moodiness, migraines, low sex drive

I love that OTC helped my skin, I was on the lo dose version and never had a single pimple. The migraines were unbearable, the first day of my period and the last day, I would barely leave the house. I didn't realize it was due to the pill until reading the other reviews. I also just stopped taking it and my skin is AWFUL. I am hoping it gets better after things regulate. After reading some other peoples reviews I am hopeful that this terrible acne is just temporary. I was on OTC regular dose for about 3 years, then switched to Lo after a few month break. I had breakouts inbetween but about 2 weeks after starting the pill again, no more breakouts. I am trying to figure out if the migraines and low sex drive are worth the good skin? I almost think it is. Confidence or feel better? I feel bad leaving the house with this skin.
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February 11, 2008

Pros:

Great skin!

Cons:

I'm knocked up!!!!!!!!!

I was twenty hours late on a pill in week one. I called the pharmacist and she said there was no need to use condoms. I just took the missed pill with my scheduled pill and went on my merry way. At the end of the month, my period never came and now I'M KNOCKED UP! I;m happily married so its not a huge deal but let me add...I was on ortho-novum for 5 years (missed pills all the time) and never got pregnant. I switched to ortho tri cyclen for the skin benifits but wish I would have kept the pimples!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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January 31, 2008

Pros:

prevent pregnancy, lighter and regular period, no cramp

Cons:

nausea, bloating and possible weight gain

I used OCT mainly to prevent pregnancy. I was first on the pill about 4-5 years ago and I did not have any side affects except bigger boobs (which was great!) I went off the pill for many years and is on again and this time, I feel nausea and bloated. I am not sure if I really gained any weight, cause I feel bigger, but I weight the same. I can't stand the bloating, it makes my tummy area and butt big and I can't fit into my pants anymore. As for acne, I never had any acne problem and the pill did not cause me any acne problem
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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.
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January 23, 2008

Pros:

prevents pregancy

Cons:

worst acne ever

I am not sure how to get my skin back to normal but ever since I took OTC and came off it I break out all the time. I wont go back on it, but I don't know what to do to help my acne!
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January 3, 2008

Pros:

jumped a cup size in my boobs, shorter periods, clearer skin, no pregnancy!!

Cons:

EMOTIONAL breakdowns that come out of no where, bloating, upset stomach if i do not eat, change in appetitite (increased)

I have been on this pill before when i was 15 (i am now 21) and overall i think its a good pill, but the emotional breakdowns and bloating are sometimes too much to handle. The bloating seems to never go away!! anyone else experianced this? Plus, my periods have been very short compared to normal and VERY light. Not sure if this is completely normal with being on the pill.
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December 10, 2007

Pros:

No babies.

Cons:

Ance remains...

It's just birth control. On it for 6 years.
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