Oral Contraceptives
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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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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.
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June 22, 2009

Pros:

Nice, easy form of birth control. I did not experience weight gain or nausea.

Cons:

I could not control my emotions most of the time when taking this; may have also made acne worse.

I had the Paragard IUD for awhile. I had it removed because partly because of the severe cramping every month and partly because I thought it was contributing to my acne. It wasn't that bad, but the breakouts were enough to aggravate me. I thought going on birth control would be the answer to all my problems as far as cramping, acne, and birth control were concerned. I specifically asked for the non-generic OTC because i once took trisprintec and had to come off it because of severe mood swings and depression. I thought maybe the regular OTC would be different. For about 3 months I thought I was doing OK, but gradually I became irrational, angry all the time, irritated over everything, and just very unhappy in general. I was never calm. It felt like having severe symptoms of PMS all the time. And my acne got WAY WORSE after taking the OTC as well. Full-blown cystic acne all over my face. I've stopped taking it and already i feel more in control; taking Doxycycline to treat acne.
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June 21, 2009

Pros:

Pregnancy prevention, Cheap to buy

Cons:

Worsened acne

I have been on these for a year. I got on them after having my Mirena (IUD) removed. The Mirena gave me acne and acne on my back and made me bleed for 9 months. Took that out and got on OTC. Back acne cleared up for awhile but face did not clear up. After awhile I got back acne again! Got off of the OTC and face is already more clear. Condoms again. No more hormones for me. Hopefully I do not get pregnant again.
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June 21, 2009

Pros:

clearned skin completely! leveled emotions, consistent periods

Cons:

weight gain

It cleared my skin. I have had hormonal acne since I was 13 and I feel I have tried everything else.I took the pill for 4 months and it was wonderful for my skin, but not so great for my body. I gained 7 lbs. Urg. I stopped this month and am trying a few different things. My face is already breaking out a little bit. I may go back or try a different birth control eventually.
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June 20, 2009

Pros:

No headaches, no nausea, predictable periods, sex drive, no kids

Cons:

Very mild acne has become severe along chin since beginning, spotting

I've been on birth control before, and then tried Depo. That worked great until I found out the black box warning, and got off. My skin was clear... until the stuff got completely out of my system. I finally got on Ortho, and it has been nothing but more and more pimples every day it seems. I'm switching to Yaz any day.
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June 18, 2009

Pros:

Prevention of pregnancy. Light period. I guess it may have helped with my acne.

Cons:

Loss of Sex drive. Yeast infections. Emotional.

The reason I got off this pill is because I completely lost my sex drive. The purpose of this pill was so I can have sex without worrying about pregnancy, but I didn't want to have sex at all. Libido Gone! .I felt as if it made me get yeast infections constantly. I became very emotional and i was a total b*tch. I'm a positive, happy, smiley person, and this pill was just very wrong for me.
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June 18, 2009

Pros:

I have had hormonal adult acne for years and this pill has dramatically improved my skin!

Cons:

I have nausea every day; almost ill feeling all day. I have gained weight suddenly without changing my good diet and excercise. The weight is very noticable on just my stomach area- almost bloated.

I wish I could keep talking this pill as I love my skin now! I feel fine-not moody, but maybe a little more tired than normal. Studies say that the pill doesn't make you gain weight, but I am baffled because I gained at least 5lbs since I started taking it. (3 weeks). I scared to keep taking it for this reason; as I've read reviews of others gaining weight too. Try this pill if you have bad skin, maybe you won't gain weight--there are lucky ones!
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June 15, 2009

Pros:

No weight gain! :D Free from local planned parenthood!

Cons:

Very emotional. Cried a lot!

I was on this pill for 2 months. I was so excited b/c i never gained any weight and thought i was keeping my emotions in check. (B/c i've heard horror stories about this pill and crying, anger etc..) I've been off of it for a couple months now and feel... normal =] The reason i got off of the pill was just because i no longer needed it as a birth control method! If i need to get back on the pill, i will probably give Orth Tri Cyclen Lo another try.
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June 11, 2009

Pros:

This pill prevents pregnancy (so far) with little weight gain. I have very little period symptoms where I had horrible symptoms before, and my period is lights and usually short.

Cons:

I have acne problems on my cheeks, and I've never had acne there before. I cry at the drop of a hat. I don't get my period until my fourth placebo pill.

I started out on a generic version of this. I gained a few pounds, had a little acne and I went up a cup size. When I switched, my weight went back to normal. I've only gained about a pound since before everything I started birth control. On OTC, my symptoms are better, but I don't get my period until the fourth day. I'm really emotional, and I'm constantly worried about being pregnant. I am a little moodier than before. My acne is what bothers me. I never broke out on my cheeks before I took OTC, and now... it's bad. During the week that I'm off the pill, the acne actually clears up. However, (if you're just looking not to be pregnant) this seems to be a great pill. So far, so good.
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June 10, 2009

Pros:

Prevents pregnancy, lighter shorter periods, cleared skin until period starts, decreased breast tenderness and cramps.

Cons:

KILLS YOUR SEX DRIVE!!! Moodiness, irritability, depression, fatigue, weight gain, more emotional and sensitive to everything, lack of passion for anything.

I'm 32 years old and I've been on Ortho Tri Cyclen for 10 years and initially gained 5 pounds right off the bat and now 10 years later I'm 85 lb. overweight. I have never really changed my eating or exercise habits. Also, at first I loved it and it does work (preventing pregnancy) but it seems like the longer I'm on it the worse my side effects are. I used to want to have sex with my husband and now the thought of having it feels like a chore. It most definitely kills your sex drive and also I just have this BLAH attitude all the time now. I used to be so happy and smiley. I was such a sweet friendly person and now I'm such a b*tch on it. My poor husband doesn't know what to do with me. I'm on my last pack right now and I think I'm going off of it for awhile and see if I can lose some weight and get my sex drive and myself back.
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