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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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December 8, 2007

Pros:

NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!! Did absolutly NOTHING for my acne.

Cons:

Didnt clear up my skin at ALL! I have been on it for about 8 months and did absolutly nothing. I am broken out so bad near my chin and around my mouth. It didnt made my acne worse it just... didnt do anything at all. WASte of MONEY. Waste of TIME.

Doesnt WORK!!!!!!!!
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November 29, 2007

Pros:

Didn't get pregnant, skin cleared up.

Cons:

Periods became heavy and irregular, lasting sometimes for 2 weeks. Experienced irritability.

The clearer skin are not worth the 2 weeks a month I loose being on my period.
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November 26, 2007

Pros:

Cleared my cystic acne, prevented pregnancy, no weight gain or loss, shorter periods, decreased cramping

Cons:

Expensive if you do not have medical coverage, after extensive use, (pros mentioned above) reoccured negatively, everyone reacts differently to any pill, very slight nausea when pills were missed

I had started using ortho tri-cyclen at the age of 16 to control moderate acne and reduce cramping. Within the first 2 months, my acne was completely clear, my period was regulated and my cramping was dramatically reduced. I experienced no mood changes, headaches or waight gain, or any negative side effects to be honest. After approx. 3 years of continued use I began to experience emotional changes. I felt like my emotions did not match my physical state. Shortly after, I began to experience the re-occurance of cystic acne(moderate), as well as cramps. I decided to go off BCP completely and felt as if I were back to my "normal" self. However, I have now switched my BCP to Alesse, I have not been on it long enough to comment but I'm assuming that since it contains quite a lower amount of hormones, I should continue to feel the same after regular use. Try ortho tri-cyclen if you have moderate acne, no promises... Every BODY is different.
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November 6, 2007

Pros:

Regulated periods, lighter periods, preevent pregnancy

Cons:

didn't clear up acne like i was told it would but didn't make it worse either...

i was on ortho tri-cyclen for a year before i switched, i have switched 3 times since then and i think i'm going to decide to go back to ortho again. i dont recall having any mood swings or crying spells with it at all, i felt normal. i was disappointed that it didn't clear up my skin but was thankful it didn't make it worse either. withe other pils i have tried, they did increase my breast size a small bit, ortho did not do that, something i'm not looking forward to is my breasts decreasing in size once i go back to ortho....
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October 28, 2007

Pros:

not pregnant. Generic brand is affordable.

Cons:

I am constantly breaking out! Decerased sex drive.

I started this pill beacuse I heard it's supposed to clear up your face. Didn't work! It made my face worse and oily. I have to sex drive and it's becomin a problem with my husband.
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October 23, 2007

Pros:

protects against pregnancy, regular periods, helps cramps

Cons:

I have never had acne until taking this product. Now my chin is breaking out horribly. I have gone to the dermatologist several times and nothing is fixing it. I have gained weight and I feel bloated.

I went to my doctor today and she switched me to Yasmin. Suppossly this will help my acne. We'll see. If it wasn't for the acne I could stand Ortho Tricyclen Lo.
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October 14, 2007

Pros:

prevents pregnancy, very regular periods

Cons:

mood swings, lower sex drive, headaches!

it gets the job done and doesnt make me gain weight.
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October 3, 2007

Pros:

I've been using it for more than a year and I'm not pregnant. My boobs are bigger (which is a pro for me since I was an A, but now a B). My periods are lighter.

Cons:

DEPRESSION. Horrible, horrible gut-wrenching depression. I cry all the time. I feel mentally unstable on this product, honestly. I have never felt so low as I have on this product.

I'm only using OTC-Lo till I can figure out another brand that works for me or if I decide to get off of BC altogether. I'm a full time college student so its been hard making time to make an appointment with the doctor so I can switch brands. It's just easier to pay for the new refill every month. I'm sure plenty of women are not suffering with OTC-lo as I am. But I am in the minority that suffers from depression because of it. I just pray I can bring myself out of this...
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September 29, 2007

Pros:

Seems to be working well for my skin- it is healing!!

Cons:

Headaches

I am actually on Ortho Cyclen (Sprintec). Ortho Tri Cyclen did not work very well for me, but this is the all the same strength as week 3 pills (Ortho Tri Cyclen). This seems to be working on my awful skin- it is healing!! The redness is going away along with my big blemishes- thank GOD!! I have only been on this for 8 days though, so hopefully it keeps getting better and better.... And I can finally date again and not be in a crappy mood all the time because of my skin! I very much hope this continues to work. Will keep you posted.
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September 27, 2007

Pros:

MY SKIN IS CLEAR AND I AM NOT PREGNANT.

Cons:

SEX DRIVE IS VERY LOW!THE INTEREST LEVEL IN THAT DEPARTMENT IS TOTALLY GONE.AFTER STARTING OTC MY CHARACTER HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED.MOODSWINGS,DEPRESSION,MIGRAINES,ETC.WORST OF ALL IS WEIGHT GAIN!

EVERYONES BODY RESPONDS DIFFERENTLY TO CERTAIN BIRTH CONTROLS.IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE SIDE AFFECTS OF YOUR BIRTH CONTROL,GET YOURS CHANGED IMMEDIATELY.ALL I KNOW IS I HAVE'T GOT PREGNANT YET AND THAT MY PERIODS LAST LONGER THAN 7 DAYS WHICH I DO NOT LIKE AT ALL.BUT DON'T GET ME WRONG I DO PLAN ON TRYING A NEW BIRTH CONTROL ASAP.JUST REMEMBER THAT ONLY YOU CAN DECIDE WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU.
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