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
October 30, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Cons:
weight gain, highly priced, caused me excessive stretch marks.
I've been on Yaz for almost a year. I will say that at first it will seem like it is going to make your acne worse, but it actually has helped my break outs so much. I never really break out anymore...even when I'm on my period! I really have to say that Yaz has changed my skin for the better. On the downside I gained a lot of weight within the first few months using it, I developed a tremendous amount of stretchmarks on my hips, and outer thigh area, which is something that I never had before the pill. I wish I would have watched my weight and been more active so I wouldn't have these disgusting stretch marks now. When I started taking Yaz I was only 130, I wasn't fat and I had a nice body. I went up to 145 in a matter of 5 months. Works great for skin, but will cause weight gain. If you plan on trying it out I suggest working out and watching what you eat or you might end up like me embarassed to be in a bikini. :(
October 21, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
I assume it prevents pregnancy. I'm not even sexually active, but I'm taking it to qualify for Accutane.
Cons:
Three weeks into it, I'm getting painful leg cramps, cold sweats, fatigue and a weird tingling sensation all over. Yaz is also expensive, because there's no generic.
Too many side effects. My gyno says almost all birth control pills can help acne, simply because they regulate hormones. I believe Yaz is more dangerous than other pills, so I'm switching to Tri-Nessa (generic Ortho Tri-cyclen) asap.
October 20, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
acne has cleared up a little...?, no period?
Cons:
yeast infection, loss of sex drive, severe acne during the first month, depression, no period, crying/angry
Not worth the depression, NO SEX DRIVE, acne flare ups week before going off the pill, boobs are still small like usual, now scared of the recalls, periods were very light to none before taking pill, and still no period, not pregnant though.
October 7, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Regulates my period
Cons:
Loss of Appetite (I was on Diane 35 before and it didnt have this con)
I usually have clear skin without a mild outbreak before my period but when i started taking Yasmin these real hard pimples popped up
I'm switching back to Diane 35. I'm underweight so I'm not for the loss of appetite i'm experiencing and the pimples are horrible- they just popped up and they were really hard and though i'm not one for poppin bump, i had to squeeze the stuff out it because the skin around the bump would be too stiff; after the stuff, that were really hard may i note, came out it was like there were tiny holes in my face where they were. I would only recommend you use this product if you desire to lose weight (but hey our bodies are different- so that result is not totally guaranteed)
October 7, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
my boobs grew a bit
Cons:
ive been getting a bit of acne
ive been on yaz for about 2 weeks, so far my boobs grew a little bit, the first week around my period i was EXTREMELY moody, i would cry for no reason. this week ive been getting some acne, and ive never had skin problems, but i just started to brake out on my chest, face and back of my neck. supposedly it goes away after 3 weeks, so we'll see..
September 18, 2009
Pros:
Birth control
Cons:
Break outs worse at first but still worse than before ever on the pill. I have to wash my face with heavy duty cleanser! Extremely tender breasts once a month then it goes away.
Worth it overall
September 13, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Cleared Skin, Regular periods
Cons:
Bad Cramps
I am about to start my second month of Yaz.
The first 2 weeks my face broke out ALOT. Like worse then ever. But the 3rd week it cleared up and my face looked great and is still looking good. But I'm not taking Yaz because of that. I'm an Athlete and when I started doing a sport from 3 days a week to 5-6 days a week, I got my period 2-3 times a month 6 days a week with horrible cramps. So the Guynatologist made me take birth control. The other birth control Which was loestrin 24 broke my face out worse then it had ever been so I switched. My periods are regular still and I am having clear skin!
It has worked great for me so far.
September 7, 2009
Pros:
its excellent birth control for that purpose only
Cons:
EVERYTHING. Craziest mood swings, crying for no reason, depression, breast pain
DONT USE IT
September 4, 2009
Pros:
cleared my face, prevented pregnancy
Cons:
MOODY
The only thing i can complain about this pill is its effect on my moods. I cry over nothing and get very angry easily like I am constantly pmsing. If you forget to take a pill and have to double up it made me very sick, I'd be throwing up all morning.
August 26, 2009
Pros:
preventing pregnancy, less moody around menstration
Cons:
I have only been sick on this pill once and it was bad, my stomach is always growling like its hungry but the thought of most foods make me sick, and my acne seems to be getting worse!
I am still on my first pack and I plan of finishing it, but so far I haven't made much progress, especially when it come to clearing up my acne. But I figure I'll suffer a bit and ride it out because it is better than being pregnant!
Pros:
helps acne a lot, shorter periods, bigger boobs.