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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5
22.3%
4
33.2%
3
21.1%
2
14%
1
9.5%

Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

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November 11, 2010

Pros:

-never got pregnant
-acne cleared up amazingly
-less mood swings

Cons:

-a ton of weight gain (130-145 lbs in 2 years), already lost at least 5 since i went off it 2 months ago
-acne is coming back almost as bad and i'm 18
-worse cramps during + before periods than before
-period more irregular, and missed periods

i didn't get pregnant, but this might not have been the right BC for me. i'm off it for the first time in 2 years and i've already lost a fair amount of weight without changing ANY diet or exercising habits. also, the acne is terrible and it came right back. it was free through my local community clinic.
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May 11, 2008

Pros:

knowing i won't get pregnant

Cons:

you have to remember to take it at the same time daily, (some have to do it hiding it from your parents) AND it stopped my periods alltogether

I have been on the pill for 4 years. First it seemed to do some good, but after a few months my body got used to it and all the acne came back. I still stayed on the pill for contraception, but i stopped taking it after 4 years. That was over 3 years ago,and i still dont have a period. I have been to several doctors, all of them giving me pills to start ovulating again, but thats just even more hormones. I would never, never ever even consider taking them again. Maybe my period will never come back and i won;t be able to have children
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July 14, 2007

Pros:

It's free at planned parenthood. I haven't broken out at all or had horrible mood swings. Nor have I had spotting. No breakouts and no weight gain. No loss of libido (thank goodness)!

Cons:

Some tenderness in breasts. Mild crankiness for first couple days.

I was very worried since I have anxiety and because my weight fluctuates at a drop of a coin. I have maybe gained a pound or so but I've been eating horribly and not exercising at all (which I regularly do), so that pretty much accounts for that. In fact, I'm surprised I haven't gained more so maybe it's even helping me maintain my weight. I was only mildy cranky and my breasts were tender the first two days, but not depressed by any means. I haven't broke out at all. But then again, it's only been a month. Hopefully, my luck continues!
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June 22, 2007

Pros:

No bad side effects.... Switched over to it from Diane which was good for my skin, but lowered my sex drive...was nice to have it returned to normal.

Cons:

Didn't work for the acne on my back and chest...gradually worsened over time until finally, i was getting so many painful cysts on my back i decided i had to go off it.

Personally, wouldn't bother with it again myself. Would rather go back on Diane and have lowered sex drive but not feel so rotten about my skin...that lowered my sex drive even more because i felt so self-conscious! Trying out Yasmin now, which is supposed to have similar results to Diane but fewer side effects, so hopefully, that'll work even better!
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January 2, 2014
So glad I went on this!!

Pros:

Cleared me up in a week
No pregnancy (plus if you're in a relationship)
Bigger boobs

Cons:

Nausea
Sore/Tender breasts

I've been on this pill for almost a week and 80% of my acne has cleared up and I am so glad I decided to go on the pill. I needed birth control anyways because I am in a serious relationship, but a few years ago I went on Accutane and unfortunately after about a year and a half of being off of it, my acne started to return and that's when my dermatologist recommended that I try birth control because it may be hormonal acne. I didn't actually try birth control about until almost two years later and I have to say, it's done wonders for me so far. Only negative effects I've been dealing with are nausea and sore boobs, but either than that, I really think it's worth a try, especially if your acne gets worse around your period which is a good indicator that you have hormonal acne. Of course everyone's different but because this pill is indicated for acne, I think that if you've tried absolutely everything, this is another option. *****UPDATE***** Alright so I feel like it's time to write an update, I've been on this pill for 8 months now and my rating of 4 stars won't change. So I feel like it has helped with my acne, making it very moderate, a few zits here and there, no miracle though. For me the first row of pills seems to clear me up and then the next two breaks me out a bit, and then the sugar pills are just neutral. So it has helped with my acne, but only slightly. One thing though is that my skin is now pretty soft, tolerant to acne face washed, doesn't dry out anymore, I'm not sure if that's because I don't use anything on my face now and just wash it with a salicylic acid wash, but yep, nothing to really complain about. All those symptoms I've experienced in the first month are now long gone, so that's a plus! So I still recommend this because again, it will most likely help with breakouts, but don't expect a miracle, so any relive you're looking for you might get it with this BC.
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October 30, 2013
Developed Blood Clots as a 21 Year Old College Senior

Cons:

Blood clots

I am 21 years old and it seems that I have always suffered from acne. Even in middle school I remember having terrible skin. I literally tried everything from basically every over the counter acne product to prescription treatments such as gels and creams to oral treatments. Eventually I was prescribed this birth control for acne. It worked well for a while with my skin mostly clear and only a few blemishes here and there. I had been on this birth control for about a year before it drastically affected my life. I am a senior in college and this year I was actually sent to the emergency room and hospitalized for a week from a blood clot in each of my lungs. I am now on blood thinner for at least nine months and would just say I would NOT recommend to anyone a birth control for an acne solution. No matter how glowing your skin may look it is not worth the risk. Trust me.
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March 11, 2012

Pros:

Stopped breakouts! only three zits this month! (compaired to 20)
Breasts grew half a cup size

Cons:

Contraceptive part doesnt work because I also take Minocycline (an antibiotic)
Heavy Spotting

I'm 18 years old, and I would defiantly recommend this to anyone, I actually already have! I had tried EVERYTHING for my acne and my derm wanted to put me on accutain, but I already have super dry skin so I knew that wouldn't be a good idea for me. So I did this as a last hope kind of treatment, and it has worked wonders!!! I am so happy I tried this. I only have two little baby zits, as opposed to 10 all over my chin and mouth area. I'm much more confident and happy! I have noticed no weight gain or mood swings, but I felt super nauseous the next morning after I took it the first time (I take it every day at night before bed) but I have been 1005 fine after that!
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October 7, 2010

Pros:

Lighter/Predictable periods,Not pregnat bra size wemt up a cup.

Cons:

Crazy migrains after period and horrible back aches during period, cysts like pimples all around chin and cheeks,mood swings, light weight gain.

So far I'm on my 4thmonth on the OTCL the thing that bothers me the most is the acne cysts. Never had bad skin before the pills so its driving me nuts :( and I get a lot of fresh pimples while I'm on the white pills its the worst so my self esteem is really low since on the pills. While on my period back aches and migrains are really bad so I have to take pain killers. Even if I do so so hard to bare at work. I have mood swings worse then before the pills sucks for my Bf lol light weight gain made me go from a A32 to a B34 lol Waiting to go on my 5th month and if the acne cysts still won't go away I will switch.
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September 18, 2008

Pros:

acne cleared compared to the topical treatments

Cons:

late periods, moodswings,small break outs and occasional cystic,weight gain

I have tried almost everything when it comes to acne: herbal, topical, over the counter, as seen on tv and while the ortho lo has helped tremendously for my acne the side effects might not be worth it and I'm even considering switching over to yasmin. I have so much trouble losing weight its unbelievable and the moodswings bizzare and erratic.
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July 15, 2007

Pros:

Pregnancy prevention

I went on birth control about a month ago. My obg put me on kariva and swiched me to Ortho tri-cyclen Lo a month later. Im starting my second month. I went on b irth control hoping it would get my acne under control. Unfortunatly, the pil;ls didnt help! Im getting facials, micros done on regular basis.. my acne is only worse. Dont count on your acne to get better. My sex drive is out of control!!! i cant get enough of it and i dont know why. How many times a day can you have sex??? I have no moods swings and i get my period right on time. ( i never had that problem) No cramps, bloating etc. Only the urge to make love 10X a day!!!
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