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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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September 24, 2007

Pros:

No terrible side effects

Cons:

Did not clear up acne AT ALL and I got pregnant while using it!!

It didnt clear up the acne and It obviously doesnt work as a birth control either.. Cuz I got pregnant while using it.. And yes I took it correctly!
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September 20, 2007

Pros:

IT cleared my skin up very well - I really didn't have many zita at all, just some remaining blackheads here and there.

Cons:

It really messed up my hormones and my menstrual cycle becuase it was too difficult for me to remember to take it every day. I'm a college student and my schedule isn't consistent enough to use this.

It worked great for my skin - but at what cost? My body is all screwed up now - I have to back to the doctor again soon. Even though this worked well on my face, long term birth control use can cause lasting damage to your hormones and reproductive systems. Doctors claim it is 100% safe, when really it is only menat to be used short term. After I quit, my skin broke out worse than ever. This is only a temporary fix, and it's not worth the price of your health and almost $40 a month.
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September 9, 2007

Pros:

No fear of pregnancy.Lighter periods and lesser cramps

Cons:

Slight nasea, bloating, mood swings. No change in condition of skin.

I went on OTC to attempt to clear my acne. I had been on it for over a year and noticed no improvement or worsening. I did notice bloating and nasea at the start. I've had cystic acne for years and recently broke out more all around my chin. After reading some other reviews i've atributed this to going off OTC for a month. Now i am on Yasmin. I don't know if this is supposed to help with acne but I like the idea of a lower hormone dose. If anyone has tried Yasmin and it has helped with acne please let me know!! Good Luck to all.
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September 8, 2007

Pros:

Im not pregnant yet

Cons:

Mood swings,2 week long periods, awful period cramps and bloating, decreased sex drive, weight gain.

I wouldnt reccomend this item.The side effects are rediculas and after having my period for 12 days and counting i dont wish that upon anyone!
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August 23, 2007

Pros:

none

Cons:

YEAST INFECTIONS.

never had a yeast infection in my life and i've had 3 since starting this pill last summer. if you've ever had a yeast infection before, then you know that it is such a horrible, painful, frustrating experience.
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August 13, 2007

Pros:

Prevents Pregnancy and cleared up my acne

Cons:

Severe Mood Swings, Constant Urinary track infections and Yeast Infections. Weight Gain

This pill screws with my body more then being pregnant...
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August 7, 2007

Pros:

kept me from getting pregnant and make a few pimples go away.

Cons:

didnt completely clear my skin, it make me completely moody, felt sick after taking it, makes your period really thick and goopy.

its nice for preventing pregnancy but it will give you terrible mood swings and you'll be a in a bad mood most of the time, i stopped taking it 3 days ago and i feel like my normal happy self again. recommend it for pregnancy prevention but not for acne
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August 6, 2007

Pros:

regulates period, prevents getting pregnant

Cons:

everything else

I've never had acne before I started using this over 5 years ago. Obviously I'm not on it anymore but I didn't know why at age 22 I was breaking out with acne until after doing alot of research, 3 years after being on it, I figured out it was the birth control pills! I also gained weight and suffer headaches and mood swings from time to time!!! SUCKS
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July 27, 2007

Pros:

Period has been lighter, less cramping, and much more regular.
Of course as a contraceptive it works fine.

Cons:

Ok I am on my second month of OTC...I am experiencing some of the worst breakouts of my life! Cystic and all over my face! I don't think my acne has been this bad since I was going through puberty.

Since I have been taking OTC my face looks horrible, filled with acne, and stressing me out. Please can anyone tell me if they have had the same problem? I would like to think that it will get worse before it gets better. So far I am not seeing any improvements with my skin and am debating wether or not to take it. I have tried tons of acne products (expensive and cheap) nothing is working. Should I just allow more time?
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July 5, 2007

Pros:

no major side effects

Cons:

nausea, didn't help with acne

I was on it for nearly 2 years. I didn't experience any major side effects, but I did feel really sick (like morning sickness) during the first row each month. It didn't help clear my acne at all, but it didn't make it worse either. It was only in conjunction with accutane that my face became really good (like PERFECT). But six months after stopping accutane, my horrible skin came back. And I was still on Ortho tricyclen, which made no difference for my skin. I would recommend it for birth control, but not for acne.
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