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
March 2, 2008

Pros:

Not pregnant, lighter periods, almost no skin problems, minor weight loss

Cons:

worse vision, depression and mood swings

I have been using the pill for over 3 years. I never wore contact or glasses and now I do, according to my doctor it was caused by the pill. My emotions were going crazy and don't even get me started on the depression talk. Other than that, it works.
March 2, 2008

Pros:

no acne.

Cons:

this pill should be banished to hell too many risks tomy body and mind why is it on the market still???????????????????????????????????????

no dont take this crap be abstanant instead at least youll live longer.
February 20, 2008

Pros:

not sure yet.

Cons:

nausea, vomiting, stomach pains

ok my first day really sucked. My doctor told me to take two pills for my first time. i took them at 10:30pm with food. went to sleep at 12:00 still felt ok. around 3:30am i woke up and felt like vomiting. the pit of my stomach hurt and was turning. I ate bread and drank water, it helped alittle, but i didnt feel better until it was out of my system. I used the bathroom like 3 hours later. Then i finally fell asleep. It was the worse feeling ever.Im thinking of changing the time to afternoon. and i only taking one pill. im not giving up yet. wish me luck!
February 14, 2008

Pros:

no pms, shorter periods, sex drive still there, clear skin, no babies!

Cons:

nothing!

i am on my third month of yaz and no complaints at all! this was my first birth control pill, and i adore it. within the first month i noticed a decrease in my cramps, and irritability. by month three my period has gone from a heavy 7 days, to a barely noticable 4 days. this stuff is amazing. i am so happy with it. i still have a great sex drive, and have not put on any weight. yay yaz!
February 11, 2008

Pros:

none

Cons:

made me break out so much more! It did not work at all for me. Made me more emotional as well.

I was using yasmine before and will switch back.
February 4, 2008

Pros:

shorter period

Cons:

severely tender breasts, mood swings

I have used this product for over 3 years, and my skin has become seriously dried out and I have continuous acne. Gained wait at first, but I drastically changed my diet and have lost weight. My mood swings in the last year have become more severe.
February 1, 2008

Pros:

less acne

Cons:

DEPRESSION. mood swings, extreme unhappiness.

This pill has put me at an all time low, I'm never happy and all my friends say they miss my laugh. I'm not the person i used to be which is why im getting off the pill in a few days. i want to be myself again.
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
January 24, 2008

Pros:

Not pregnant, lighter periods.

Cons:

Depression, anxity, hair loss, NO sex drive, mood swings, loss of energy, fatigue, weight gain - inability to lose weight.

I cannot stress this more, if you have any of the above side affects, STOP TAKING THIS PILL, cause you will only get more. This pill has ruined my life.I have been taking it for 3 years,and have been in a relationship for 6. The first 6 mnths i had mood swings, then My sex drive went completely. A year later my hair started falling out, doctor said it was stress but never said it could be my pill. I suffered with depression last year, but my doctor never said it could be my pill, and he put me on anti-depressants, which did not work.I got married in september 07 and now My relationship is almost over because of this pill,and the fact the doctors never mentioned that all my problems might be a result of this pill is pure stupidity on their part! I came off this pill a month ago after desperatly tryng to figure out what was causing my lack of sex drive, and found similar reports of women who hav lost relationships over this pill.so I stopped,and all my side effects hav gone, I am bac
January 24, 2008

Pros:

Regular periods, no premenstral pain, no acne

Cons:

expensive

Helped treat acne

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.