Oral Contraceptives
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Side Effects

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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19.7%
4
30.4%
3
21.8%
2
16%
1
12.1%

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August 22, 2007

Pros:

swollen breasts and no weight gain. This is about the only semi-positive things I can say about this drug. I realize that everyone reacts differently to certain chemicals, but iin all honesty, this drug has severely affected my life in a horrible way

Cons:

caused me to develop ovarian and kidney cysts. intermittent sharp pelvic pains that required hospitalization and constant dull cramps. Constant breakthrough bleeding, periods every two weeks, unable to skip periods, migraines.

If there is another alternative for you to using this drug, pls take my advice and spend the $5 more to get it. I have received numerous pelvic MRI's, ER visits, surgeries (laparscopic) and pain meds to "fix" the symptoms that have incurred from me taking this drug. I now have scars from my surgeries and mounds of medical bills to pay from nearly 7 months ago. Again, I realize that everyone reacts differently, but this is the only bc pill I've had difficulty with.
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August 19, 2007

Pros:

regulated periods, lighter periods, little or no cramps, fuller breasts, prevents pregnancy,

Cons:

gained 5 pounds, nausea

i have only been on tricyclen for 3 months now, and it is working great the only thing that i hate is the cravings for chocolate and junk food and i am still getting very bad nausea. my acne has cleared up a bit but i still breakout often. i have had acne since i was 13 and it sucks and i dont know if it will ever go away but this is defenatly helping a bit. i am also using a acne face wash consitting of systlic acid, and that has been opkay as well
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August 14, 2007
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

Boobs are bigger, no spot bleeding or terrible cramps, and my cystic acne has cleared up (so far!) I usually break out when im ovulating, which this pill stops. My doctor told me this pill acts as a diuretic and shouldnt make me gain weight. hmm...

Cons:

I'm not sure about the weight gain, though i fear i might be (i've only been on it for a few weeks so it's too early to tell). I do have a few little pimples, but nothing compared to the cysts I used to get.

Birth control is gonna suck no matter what, we're messing with nature here. Anytime we alter out hormones, it is bound to show up on our face (could be good or bad, depending on the person.) Overall, I have been satisfied with the effects on my skin. Give this product AT LEAST three months to kick in and go with the flow of your body. Of all the birth controls out there, this seems to be doing its job without too many side effects.
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August 3, 2007
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

No PMS, big boobs yay!! Not much weight gain, I think my skin may be getting better, need to use it for a few more months. High sex drive.

Cons:

Spotting and horrible depression, but there are pills for that too!!! Tired all the time and no appetite, but that could be the other pills too.

All birth control pills are sh*tty, women are supposed to get pregnant and we shouldn't be messing around with fate; so I guess there will be consequenses right? Yah I am nuts. ANy who, I haven't met a pill yet that doesn't make me depressed, but at least things are alot less stressful now when it comes to having sex.
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July 22, 2007
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

regular/lite flow, no major cramps, no weight gain, gives me more peace of mind...no babies! :)

Cons:

very, very little pills (sucks if you drop one)

All and all i would reccomend yasmin, it was the second pill i tried and it definitly made more pierods more regular and pretty lite. I have always had bad skin, but i think since i've been on it it has been better (or it might be my face cream?), but i know it definitly did not make it worse. i think it made me a little more hungry the week before my pierod, but its alright bc i know when that week will be every month. I dont think i get mooody or depressed on it, but i also take it at night so i may not notice as much. with insurance it is only $15, but i dont have insurance this month so im curious to see how much.
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July 1, 2007
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

No nausea, weight gain, pms symptoms all relieved, sex drive intact

Cons:

terrible acne infection on face

Will continue to use if I can eliminate initial acne with an antibiotic.
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June 29, 2007

Pros:

No acne, no irregular periods

Cons:

weight gain, lower sex drive

I have been on Ortho Tri-cyclen Lo for 2 years and I began spotting so my doctor took me off of it. I have always been really small but after about 3 months on it i gained 10 lbs. I've never had an acne problem but I didn't gain any more pimples. Other than the weight gain I was happy with this pill until I started spotting.
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June 22, 2007
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

I have now been on YAZ for 3 months and ALL of my PMS/PMDD symptoms have disappeared.

Cons:

The only bad side effect has been a lower sex drive, but my husband and I agree that my sanity is most important. We have a strong relationship and can work out the sex issue.

I am 47 & had been experiencing perimenopauseal symptoms' mood swings, crying, anger, anxiety & depression. I had not had severe PMS/PMDD problems since in my early 20's. My doctor wanted to put me on anti-depressants, but I wanted to get to the root of the problem. I tried natural options, soy, exercise, herbs'I saw slight improvement. Then over the last yr & 1/2 I have taken 5 birthcontrols. I experienced breast pain, bloating, migraine headaches & still PMS/PMDD! I cried, avoided friends & family, quit activities I normally enjoyed. I researched PMS & found that those who had PMS in their teens/20's could see it return during Perimenopause. I found out about YAZ and it's treatment of PMS/PMDD. I thank the Lord for this product! This is the 3rd month I've taken it and ALL of my symptoms have disappeared! I strongly encourage women who are in their 40's & are experiencing PMS/perimenopauseal symptoms to ask your doctor about YAZ. It worked for me!
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June 14, 2007
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

i didnt get pregnant & my period was shorter with less cramps.

Cons:

INTENSE mood swings, SEVERE acne (i do not have acne and yasmin made my face disgusting like completely covered in acne), also weight gain.

this pill was a nightmare. be careful. this was the first pill i tried and now i dont want to ever go on birth control again because of the side effects of this one.
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May 31, 2007

Pros:

breast growth, clearer skin, and weight loss

Cons:

nausea, occasional light-headedness, mood swings

i've always had a problem with heavy periods since i inherited the flow from my mom, and having to wear two tampons at once isn't very comfortable and the subconsious feeling is terrible during school. so my periods have been lighter since i started taking ortho tri-cyclen and my skin looks noticably clearer and brighter. another plus is my breasts have grown noticably within 2 months from a C to a D
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