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...

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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1015
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5
22.7%
4
34.3%
3
21.2%
2
13.1%
1
8.8%

Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

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October 3, 2011

Pros:

Clear skin
Birth control

Cons:

Weight gain
Bloating
Recurring yeast infections

One of the better BCPs I've tried in terms of side-effects. The major ones for me were 5-8 lbs. weight gain, feeling bloated, and awful recurring yeast infections. BUT, my skin was crystal clear after a few months of being on Ortho Tri-Cyclen and I experienced no mood swings or other serious side effects. It is also inexpensive if you have health insurance. If it weren't for the yeast infections, I'd probably still be on this pill. Of course, one's reaction to hormonal birth control is highly individual, so I can neither recommend nor not recommend. You just have to try it and see for yourself.
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September 26, 2011

Pros:

Minimal side effects first 6 months
Very little to no acne
No excessive bloating first 6 months
No weight gain first 6 months

Cons:

Month 7 started feeling really bloated and had sore breasts
Extremely hungry a lot of times
Feeling very sleepy for past 3 months
Water retention

EVERY PILL HAS SIDE EFFECTS AND THEY ALL ONLY WORK FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AT LEAST FOR ME EVERYONE'S DIFFERENT. I RECOMMEND SWITCHING PILLS EVERY 6 MONTHS TO ANYONE THAT GIVES YOU THE LEAST SIDE EFFECTS THAT'LL KEEP YOU BALANCED
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September 25, 2011

Pros:

Not Pregnant

Cons:

Worst acne breakouts of my life
Constantly Nauseous
Very Emotional
Depressed
No sex drive

I gave this pill a 4 month run and the end result is that this pill is horrible! I've gone from the happiest, most outgoing person, to really sad and depressed. I finished a pack yesterday and will NEVER go on this pill again. I constantly felt sick, and the thought of alcohol was intolerable. My face went from a pimple every now and then to severely broken out and my sex drive was non-existent. DO NOT take this pill!!
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September 22, 2011

Pros:

Cleared up acne
Lighter periods
Predictable periods
Not pregnant!

Cons:

First month is pretty rough

The first month I had pimple breakouts, nausea, and severe headaches, but the second month was much better, and now in my fourth month using it, I don't have any bad side effects. My periods used to be very heavy and completely unpredictable, but now I (obviously) know when they start and I can even use Lite tampons on most days. My face completely cleared up also.
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September 21, 2011

Pros:

Pregnancy prevention, acne control

Cons:

Headaches, mood swings, irritability, breast tenderness, weight gain

HATE IT! Got a new prescription today! It worked for 3 months then it all went down hill from there. Terrible cramps and heavy bleeding did not stop, I have horrible headaches between the last hormone pill and the placebos and then again when starting the hormones at the end of my cycle. Ive gained weight and cannot get it off with diet and exercises. This is the worst pill I've ever been on.
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September 19, 2011

Pros:

lighter periods
pregnancy prevention
larger breasts
inexpensive

Cons:

a little weight gain
possible moodiness?

I barely noticed any side effects for this birth control. I don't remember feeling any extreme pain or discomfort, and it's a reliable form of protection. Some friends that are girls as well as my boyfriend noticed a change in my breast size, and there was a small change in my weight, but there have been no side effects that have made me want to consider coming off this prescription. I don't have any acne to begin with, so i can't say if it helps clear that up or not, however it didn't give me any either. Overall, it has been working for me and i will consider to use it. Hope this helped! :)
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September 8, 2011

Pros:

No decrease in sex drive :)

Cons:

-Stomach aches
-Horrible nausea lasting the entire day
-Got new pimples every single day I've been on it
-Water retention
-Crazy food cravings
-Extreme fatigue
-Breast soreness
-Worse cramps than before
-Heavier period

As you can see by my list of cons, this pill definitely didn't work for me lol. First of all, I went on accutane over two years ago and ever since my skin has been great. A couple pimples here and there, or once in a while I'd experience clogged pores on my forehead and around my nose, but my skin care routine takes care of it within a week at most. My forehead and nose area are my "problem areas" if you could even call them that, but OTC just bombed my face with under-the-skin, painful pimples around my chin and my mouth like no other. I broke out in areas of my face where I never had before, even previously to my accutane treatment. And don't even get me started on the sickness this pill caused me. It was beyond your typical morning sickness. It lasted the entire day if I did not take pills for nausea and an upset stomach. And even when I did, I still felt uneasy for the remainder of the day, especially for the first two weeks. I felt bloated all the time, no matter what I ate or do. My diet hasnt changed, and I know full well of the types of foods which cause my stomach to be bloated all day long. My cramps are also worse than they were before, and I even had cramps while I was spotting! Now, my period is even heavier than it used to be, and it's also longer. Bottom line is, I know some people have been benefiting from OTC as it works with their bodies in a way it does not with mine. Although it has definitely not worked for me, perhaps it will work for you. Although I know sticking with a medication for three months is recommended, the amount of cons definitely outweighs any reason I have to stay on OTC for another two months. I hope it works for others though! Good luck =)
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August 29, 2011

Pros:

Lesser breakouts
Larger breasts

Cons:

Weight gain
Terrible mood swings
Depression
Acne is still here

I HATE this pill. My dr wants me to finish off the rest of my 2nd pack before starting me on a new birth control, however this has been a terrible experience I don't think i'll take the pill again. I've been on ortho 2 wks shy from 2 months and I've gained 7 lbs despite no change in diet. I noticed my negative side effects right away, but wanted to give this pill chance. I'm so done. I'm mainly stopping this pill bc the reduction in my acne is not that significant, I am steadily gaining more and more weight, and I often feel like I'm on an emotional rollercoaster. BOTTOM LINE: If you start this pill and think it sucks- follow your intuition.
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August 25, 2011

Pros:

Lighter periods
Pregnancy prevention

Cons:

Horrible cystic acne break-outs
Breat tenderness
Headaches
Mood swings

I would definitely not recommend this product!!! My doctor specifically prescribed this birth control to also help with my hormonal acne. However, within two weeks of taking this my face, especially my chin area, was covered in painful cystic acne. I was told to continue taking it and be patient; that the acne would probably get worse before it got better. I stuck with it for a little over a month but couldn't take it anymore because my skin was in so much pain and completely covered in blemishes. I quit taking it about a week ago and my skin, while still very red and covered in acne, is noticeably better. The combination of symptoms, especially the acne and mood swings, made the month or so I was on this birth control an absolute emotional roller-coaster.
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August 25, 2011

Pros:

Not getting pregnant, short period

Cons:

Heavy Breasts, low sex drive, mood swings, bloated stomach, feels sick all the time

HATE IT
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