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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April 9, 2009

Pros:

no pregnancy

Cons:

AWFUL acne, weight gain

I'm happy to admit that my weight gain likely has a lot to do with my diet and low activity level, but I've had the same habits for years and still managed to maintain my weight pretty steady. In the four months since starting OTCL I've seen about a 10 pound gain. That doesn't suck nearly as bad as what as happened to my skin. I had bad acne as a teen and actually did two courses of Accutane in my late teens/early 20s. After that, my skin was generally good. When I would commit to a good cleansing & exfoliation program, my skin would be excellent. Even when I slacked, I didn't have breakouts worth mentioning. The last four months on OTCL have been hell. My skin is worse than pre-Accutane. Huge throbbing cystic pimples on my chin and cheeks constantly. The kind that grow like a volcano and seem to have their own heartbeat. Cannot be covered with makeup, don't clear even after the cyst erupts. Instead I'm left with an ugly mark on my face and new pimples. Miserable, switching asap!
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April 6, 2009

Pros:

No babies, regular periods, light cramps.

Cons:

AT FIRST: breast tenderness, BAD moodswings ( irritable, furious, over sensative, depressed, crying)

I'm 21 and I was on OTCL for 2 years w/o a problem, then my dc switched me to a different one for about a year I didn't like the new one because my periods weren't regular. Sometimes I didn't get one at all, when I did get them it was just ugly spotting for about 4 days. So, I just switched back to OTCL 2 weeks ago. My body has to adjust to it all over again. For the past week I've been very very moody either very angry for no reason, very sad, or just blah. (For the lack of a better word).. Also my breast have been so tender.. I know it will wear off, I just feel bad for my boyfriend, He's been very patient and understanting...... It's 1pm and I've been awake since 9:30 but I'm so blah I haven't managed to get out of bed, not even to type this. I'll probably be fine after I get my period or by the end of the month.
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March 31, 2009

Pros:

Acne, good contraceptive, predictable periods, and tolerable cramps - mine used to be BRUTAL. I'd be in a sweat in bed with a fever, throwing up for an hour or 2.

Cons:

Headaches, and slight nausea.

I've been using tricyclen for almost 2 months now with little to no side effects! I am very pleased with it so far. I used to be on alesse but tricyclen is definitly better!
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March 30, 2009

Pros:

cleared up my skin after 4 months of use, cheap, less cramps

Cons:

gained 5 pounds

i take ortho tri-cyclen lo and it took me 4 months to see results, so have patience! i had bad acne especially around my chin and now i am clear :)
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March 29, 2009

Pros:

No Acne, Regular period. no pregnancy

Cons:

WEIGHT GAIN!!!!

This pill makes you gain excessive weight if not careful. I am trying to find a low dosage of hormones.
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March 28, 2009

Pros:

regular period, no mood swings, no pregnancy, acne is the same but its only the first month...hopefully it clears up!

Cons:

just got first period on it and threw up this morning and have had a headache for 24 hours. I'm not sure if this has anything to do with the pill. I was on ortho lo for awhile and never experienced any side effects.

overall its okay since I've read many reviews about women experiencing mood swings and I'm normal so far. so thats a good thing
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March 27, 2009

Pros:

no babies, period is on time every month, shorter periods, clears acne

Cons:

gained 30 pounds, irritable, mood swings, cramps are worse

ive been on yaz for 2 years and gained 30 pounds ive tried diet and exercise to see if it was my fault for gaining the weight. i never lost anything. im 20 yrs old and 30 pounds over weight!!! so i finally went to my dr and he switched me to ortho tri cyclen lo since i think that the hormones are making me huge. we will see how it works and if i lose any weight. but im scared since one of my friends got pregnant on ortho tricyclen. hopefully the new birth control will work for me. by the way i never had bad acne only a couple of pimples here and there and yaz did clear up most of it. and before i got on yaz i never had bad cramps, i only got on birth control to prevent pregnancy.
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March 24, 2009

Pros:

Predicatable periods, no ovulation (no discharge), less emotional issues, breasts grew one whole cup size

Cons:

Water retention= weight gain...like 3-5 pounds, acne got worse, breast tenderness

I started taking this as my first birth control pill ever. It helps with predicting my periods of course, but I took it for acne which got worse...but is starting to get better...I think my body just needs to get used to it. I'm WAY less emotional than I was before. I gained about 5 pounds but I honestly don't mind it, and my breasts grew, all of the sudden too! But not too much, so I am happy with that.
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March 23, 2009

Pros:

Prevents pregnancy, predictable periods, decreased menstrual cramp pain & made period very light and brief, helps with acne

Cons:

Decrease in sexual drive, nausea shortly after you take the pill each day, moodiness and irritability, more likely to get yeast infections, increases blood pressure, can cause eczema, can cause breast cancer, overall not good for your health AT ALL

I have been taking Ortho tri-cyclen LO for 5 years and I haven't got pregnant! And even though I haven't had severe side effects I've decided to come off of it for a while simply because it's obviously not healthy for my body. If you don't care about side effects or getting potentially horrible health problems (blood clot, stroke, anxiety, etc), this is a very effective method of BC if you take it at the same time each day. I have never heard of anyone who got pregnant on Ortho LO.
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March 20, 2009

Pros:

Boobs grew, no break-through bleeding (like otc-lo)

Cons:

Weight gain, IRRITABILITY, nausea

The product worked, but i became a monster and gained 20 pounds, too many hormones for me. Switched to a lower hormonal dosage pill and couldnt be happier
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