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 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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19.7%
4
30.4%
3
21.8%
2
16%
1
12.1%

Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

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May 18, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

No pregnancy. No side effects except frequent mild headaches. Shorter periods. 2-3 days.

Cons:

No improvement in skin.

Skin is as bad or worse than before. Fewer side effects than other BC pills I have used.
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May 15, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

No weight gain, not pregnant, controlled acne (didn't even get breakouts before period), firmer breasts, no side effects

Cons:

None

This is the first time I use birth control and I was worried about the weight gain. My doctor told me that the pill does not cause weight gain rather it MIGHT stimulate the appetite. So if you over eat you will gain weight if your able to control your cravings then you won't. He also added that people use it as an excuse. For me, it had no effect on my appetite, so I have maintained and even lost a few pounds while on it.That being said, I had no negative side effects on Yasmin. Works great!! I would recommend this pill, however, everyone's body is different.
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May 13, 2009

Pros:

breast growth

Cons:

made my face worse than it has EVER been, it was HORRIBLE!

Did not work for my acne whatsoever.
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May 7, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

acne clearing up, no mood swings, no blood spotting between periods.

Cons:

Gained a bit of weight.....

I have been on Yasmin for a few months now and my skin has turned out really well. I only went on the pill to help regulate my period and it does a really good job at that plus it basically cut the days in half!! The only down side is I have noticed I have been gaining a bit of weight around the stomach area. Overall the pill has worked really well for me and the weight gain (while I'm not thrilled about) is something that I can deal with because the pros out weigh the cons!!!
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April 18, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

Controlled breakouts, doesn't make me feel sick like dianette

Cons:

None!

i have had acne for about 2 years and it just kept getting worse, so my doctor finally prescribed me Dianette. After about a month of taking this i kept being sick all the time but i carried on taking it because i was so down about my skin. But after 4 months with no acne improvement whatsoever i went back to my doctor. She said dianette is a very very strong pill and shouldn't be taken for prolonged periods of time and this was what was making me feel ill! So she put me on yasmin and before i even finished my first pack i have no new painful lumps (i had cystic acne) and im not sick anymore! i would definitely recommend instead of dianette because it actually worked for me!
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April 15, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

?

Cons:

HORRIBLE HORRIBLE breakouts worse then before I went on it.

i dont know if it takes a few months (like accutane) and has to bring everything to the surface before it clears it up, but right now (first month just completed) its doing nothing good. I have also been on my period for three weeks straight now.
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March 20, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

Cleared My acne, regular menstrual cycle, no cramps, less bloating, less irritability

Cons:

None

I was skeptical to try it first since I read online the negative side effect everyone was having. I talked to my GYN doctor and told me to take them in the evenings after a meal around the same time everyday (I take them at 8pm). I never had any side effects that everyone else was having.. No nausea, headaches, dizziness, breast tenderness, mood swings/irritability. In fact, I have less cramping, shorter/lighter periods and by the third month, most of my acne cleared away. I have tried other pills and this one is by far the best for me. I know that Yaz may not be for everyone since everyone's body is different. but I am glad it work perfectly for me. I know Yaz may be expensive, even with insurance. I qualified for the state family planning program and I get them for free.
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March 17, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

didn't get preggo

Cons:

acne, expensive, bad spotting, gained weight in hips and butt

Everybody is different. This one didn't work for me
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March 16, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

not pregnant, acne cleared up, bigger boobs, less cramps, regulated schedule, no mood swings, no weight gain

Cons:

Minimal nausea, I take the pill at 9pm and wake up at about 6am. I have found that if I take it later than 9pm, that it seems to have not run its course yet when I wake up and I feel nauseous.

I am 18 years old and a year ago I took Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and hated it. It made me breat out really bad and made me have major mood swings. My doctor then put me on Yasmin, I have been on it for almost 5 months now and I love it. My acne flared up for the first 2-3 months but now it's almost perfectly clear. I have experienced no mood swings like before. I have not gained any weight (thank god). If anything, Yasmin has regulated my weight and I have been consistantly 107 pounds. I would reccommend this pill to anyone, but as always it's different for everyone.
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March 14, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

Birth Control, clear skin

Cons:

increased appetite causing weight gain.

Came off to give myself a break after almost 7 years of taking! Good God my skin is attrocious and my hair is so oily. I'm getting back on ASAP!!!
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