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:
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July 7, 2012
Cons:
Very tender/sensitive breasts
Slight weight gain (no more than three lbs)
Based on some of the negative reviews, I was very skeptic of Ortho Tri-Cyclen at first. Just because you read a few bad reviews that doesn't necessarily mean those pros and cons will apply to you. Everyone's body is different, and if you decide to go on this pill then wait at least four months until you make the decision to change it. I've been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for about four months now (going on five), and at first I wanted to call it quits because of how terrible my acne got! Then little by little it began to disappear. Now the only time I break out (which is barely) is around the time I menstruate. Your breast cup does increase by half a cup to a cup size gradually, however, I noticed that my breasts became very tender. Hopefully that will go away within a few more months? Not entirely sure, but if so I'd still stick with it. It helps protect you against pregnancy in the long run, so why not? In fact, it feels as if my libido has increased, Haha. You gain very little to no weight, really. It goes away with diet and exercise, and that's all to it. I got Ortho Tri-Cyclen at Planned Parenthood for free through my health insurance.
April 25, 2012
Product used: Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Clears Skin
Cons:
You have to pass three months to get the full potential of this pill or any birth control pill.
You have to be on time with taking the pills and not missing any for this to work properly. I have tried other birth controls pills but this worked best for the acne situation. It does take three months to see its full qualities though and if u mess up a pill, its like starting those three months over from that day. First month or two u probably will have cystic acne especially on ur chin and it can be worse then u ever had. After three months I have literally no acne. I have suffered for years so im in love with this medication. It makes ur period come on the same day each month and it does become lighter and less painful after three months.
December 19, 2011
Pros:
*birth control
*less acne
*no side affects really
*not worried about becoming pregnant
Cons:
*remembering to take it everyday at the same time
I've been taking these birth control pills for a week, and I noticed my facial breakouts to be at a minimum because i usually wake up with 1 or 2 pimples on my face every other morning which are noticeable and it sucks. These breakouts stopped pretty quickly throughout this whole week of taking the pill i have only one pimple on my face when i usually have 4 or 5 at a time. My acne is not terrible but i do not like it and i have felt very less pretty and confident because of it and i have even been on antibiotics which helped but are not good for your body and make your skin sensitive to light. Now that my face is starting to clear up i feel better and a little more happy and satisfied. I'm 15 and my face usually gets really oily or greasing and I noticed my face isnt as oily or greasy lately. I also do not have to worry about getting pregnant because you are protected after 7 days. I payed about $27 for ortho tri cyclen and i guess thats an okay price. So far i havent noticed any side affects i have no spotting or bleeding or nausea and im very surprised. Ive heard alot of bad reviews but I think if your suffering from any acne i think this is worth a shot but everyone's body is different. Ill put in another review in a month of so
July 27, 2011
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Good birth control
Regulates periods eventually
No cramps (eventually)
Bigger breasts (might be a con for some)
Cons:
Awful breakout (hopefully intial)
Bigger, sore, breasts (already had a large cup size pre yasmin)
One month period (stopped after beginning second pack)
Hungry all the time (slight weight gain, 1-2 kilos)- please note, these cravings aren't bad, and easily controlled, i'm just on holidays atm
Possible hair thinning (not a massive issue as i have a lot of hair, but i like my thick hair, so hopefully this isn't an actual side effect and it's just winter shedding/the way i've been
For acne: I had crystal clear skin all through my teen years, one or two pimples a year, until i turned 18 i started having mild breakouts.Started with small pimples in my hairline, spread to entire forehead (though my entire forehead cleared up eventually on it's own) I have no cysts/whiteheads, just very red pimples, they aren't sore, or hard, kind of flat, ranging from tiny pin pricks, to around the size of the top end of a pencil. they can't be popped and will last 1-2 weeks. i get atleast three a week. I have these, on my cheeks, hairline, and around my mouth (starting from corner of lips) i also have pretty bad blackheads around my nose that sometimes get inflamed and sore. So far, the pill has made all this worse, lots more dots, but i'm finally getting heads (unattractive, but they heal faster) i also have pimple like things in eyebrows, which i've never had before. I say pimple-like, b/c they're small, hard and sore, but they're also very itchy. i'm hoping this is an intial breakout. Im on my second month. I WILL write back if/as soon as my skin improves, detailing how long it takes etc. I do believe it has to get worse before getting better though For a pill, it does the job in preventing pregnancy. Being hungry all the time isn't too bad, just need self control, i'm on holidays and have been giving into the cravings, but they're not gut wrenchingly bad. Period pain and month long period first month, but subsides. sore sore breasts, that are HUGE, i have big breasts naturally, so im hoping weightloss will descrese their size. My hair has been falling out alot- but i cannot remember if it was doing this before i got on the pill. For the past three months, i've been wearing it in a high bun, and not using conditioner (very lazy, the bun will stay untouched until i wash my hair, it's also winter) i'll stop this and note if there's changes.
it is expensive $25 a month, but worth trying. DO NOT GIVE UP, stick with it ! will re-
June 6, 2011
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
beautiful clear skin
Balanced hormones (balanced emotions)
Did i mention clear skin?!!
Cons:
Having to remember to take a pill everyday
and if i miss it ill breakout and be emotional.
Its not cheap without insurance.
My skin is perfect aside from a little hyper pigmentation and scarring. I don't even have to wash it. I get maybe 1-3 pimples around my period but that's it.
My acne is obviously completely a hormonal issue. This works for me, but may not work for you.
December 22, 2010
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Cleared acne, decreased appetite and resulting weight loss, breasts enlarged slightly, only decreased libido slightly
Cons:
This is a big one: it made my hair fall out.
I was on Yaz for 3 months. I had a bit of acne on my face and really bad cyst acne on my back and chest. Yaz cleared all of that up after the first couple of weeks. This pill was absolutely perfect...except of course for the hair loss. It was pretty bad, to the point where my hair was thinned out and you could see my scalp in the front. As soon as I switched to a diff pill, the hair loss stopped. Not everyone will experience the hair loss and in fact that is a possibility on any pill.
November 19, 2010
Pros:
prevents pregnancy
less bleeding during menstruation
less cramping
Cons:
worst breakout of my life
I had relatively clear skin for most of my life, but occasionally would still get a pimple or two, mostly near my period. For some stupid reason I was not satisfied and asked the clinician to prescribe me a pill that would help me with acne. She prescribed Ortho Tri-Cyclen and I used it for 2 months and now have the WORST ACNE of my life. Since I have never had an acne problem before, I have no idea how to handle this. The cystic acne I now have is physically and emotionally painful. When I go out and see someone I know, I will actually go out of my way to avoid them seeing me. I have to see old friends and family for the holidays and have no idea what I am going to do.
September 21, 2010
Pros:
Kept my skin relatively clear.
Cons:
Lots of side effects.
Be careful when taking birth control! If you are only using it to clear acne, I would strongly recommend a different route. I was only 27 when I was diagnosed as suffering from a CVST (cerebral venous sinus thrombosis) stroke, brought on by the hormones in my birth control. Venous MRIs found 5 blood clots in my head. I followed the instructions, did not smoke, and took a pill the same time everyday. I knew that stroke was a possibility, but since I didn't smoke and lived a healthy lifestyle I was told not to worry overmuch. Should not have listened to that! Now I'm on blood thinners for the foreseeable future, another poison in my body but better than the alternative.
September 14, 2010
Pros:
Shorter periods
Predictable periods
No nausea
Very small pills
Not pregnant lol
Cons:
Moderate sore breasts
Slight headaches
It's a great form of birth control. It's available st planned parenthood. Most bcps make me nauseous and moody but this one doesn't. I love it!
August 29, 2010
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
-eventually cleared up acne (for the most part)
-regulated periods
-regulated hormones
-alleviated some depression (also began zoloft at the same time, so I am not sure).
Cons:
-took a few months to work
-first month=terrible initial breakout
-nausea at beginning of every active pill pack
- I still get some zits (but that's not uncommon for someone my age)
I began the generic form of Yasmin (Ocella) in February, and experienced a very unsightly initial breakout. My acne had been flaring up since Christmas, which before that it had been good for a few months. Being a small girl I believe this had to do with the fact that I fall in and out of puberty, and around Christmas I got my period again for the first time in about six months. (I'm guessing my skin cleared up because my hormones were at prepubescent levels). Regardless, Ocella began working after the month-long initial breakout ceased. I have been fairly clear since April I would say, with some light markings (I have very easily marked skin) until about July. I currently have two pimples on my chin, and a few tiny bumps on my face (totally not noticeable to anyone but me :p). I can't expect perfection, as I am sixteen and a few pimples are expected, but I am much much happier. It is difficult to say whether this will work for you, as everyone is different. Give it a try, though, and allow it at the very least, three months to work. (You should really be patient and wait six). I shall re-review this in a year to update on any progress.
Pros:
Breast Cup size increased
Very little to no Acne
Did not lower libido
Protects against pregnancy