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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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February 15, 2008

Pros:

Cleared up hormonal acne completely, skin not oily, regulated period, prevented pregnancy, and gained some water weight at first but then lost weight.

Cons:

Had mood swings (b-vitamins can help though), and was nauseous (if taken without food)

I took Ortho tricyclen (regular) for a year and half then stopped taking it because I wasn't sexually active anymore. Ortho completely cleared my hormonal acne but after a month of stopping I noticed that my period was coming every 32-35 days. I've been off for 3 months now and my face looks like a wreck...damn androgrens!!! My doc put me back on the pill to help clear my face. My doc said it would but I just want to have confirmation from someone that's taken the pills. I'll be taking it as soon as my period starts...hope it works just as good as it did in the past. Has anyone gone off Ortho tricyclen then went back on...did it help clear up face the second time around?
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February 8, 2008

Pros:

i am on lo, and it gave me the best periods of my life! my periods would last up to 12 days, and now they are about 3 days. i could not be happier. it also prevents pregnancy wonderfully!

Cons:

i get migranes around the time i have to take the pill, but once i take it, about an hour later my headache goes away. spotting during the first month, but after that, it was smooth sailing!

i would reccomend it for girls who want a shorter/lighter period and want great protection against pregnancy!
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January 11, 2008

Pros:

Prevents pregnancy, regulated my periods.

Cons:

None to note personally.

I have had absolutely no problems with Tri-Cyclen for the nearly 3 years that I have been on it so far. I have actually lost weight since being on it. As well, I had moderately bad skin before going on this pill and shortly after starting it, it completely cleared up and has treated me quite well ever since. From personal experience, at least, I highly recommend it.
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December 8, 2007

Pros:

much less cramping, clears acne, lighter periods

Cons:

i have had none, and it's my second time using... i used it when i was 17/18 and now i am 25.

Ortho Tri Cyclen works well for clearing up acne... and i noticed that many of the people complaining it didn't use LO... not the same! that's why it's a different pill called LO! I have heard many cons about OTC Lo, i would never try it myself. it helped clear my teenage acne and at my age now, i recently developed a hormonal burst possibly due to excessive stress and age, and after one cycle of being back on orth tri cyclen NOT LO my face is almost completely clear again, and it was bad along my jawline and such!
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November 21, 2007

Pros:

Some skin clearing, up a cup size, regular periods, pregnancy protection, lack of weight gain

Cons:

Breaking out at first, bloating and heavy bleeding, cramps

Only birth control i've used but it seems to be good
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November 1, 2007

Pros:

helped acne, reliable periods, no cramps!

Cons:

none so far!

this works amazing! it cleared up my skin totally and haven't had any side effects. I guess everyone reacts differently!! Only $1.75/month with insurance!!!
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October 21, 2007

Pros:

clear skin, regular periods, lighter periods. Not pregnant.

Cons:

have to remember to take it every day, same time. Lower sex drive (I think). I rather have clear skin. I'm vain.

OTC only works for HORMONAL ACNE! If you break out before your period OTC can help for most women. I would always breakout right before my period, around my mouth and jaw. OTC cleared up the problem. No more breakouts at all. The only thing is you have to keep on taking the pill. Once you stop your hormones will go back to the mess they were before you started the pill. It's free if you go to a clinic and have no insurance. I don't think it causes weight gain. Face it, this is America. We eat a lot of junk and we are completely lazy!
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October 21, 2007

Pros:

Predictable periods... works

Cons:

none

I noticed no weight gain. Skin cleared up. Shorter lighter periods. Love it!
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October 20, 2007

Pros:

Clears acne with little to no side-effects.

Cons:

Is a little pricey, co-pay is $25. Thankfully we can afford to refill every month! Oh, and it did make me a little more emotional.

When I first started out, I broke out a little but nothing out of the ordinary. I actually went into this thinking it wouldn't work because nothing else had before. I started out with almost severe acne, went down to moderate and tried ortho. I'm so thankful my derm. suggested birth control because 6 months later I completely stopped breaking out. I can now say, 10 months after I first started, I no longer worry about waking up to new pimples! So if you're thinking about taking Ortho, or already are on it and are reading reviews for some hope, PLEASE wait it out at least until the 6 month mark. Oh and beware of Ortho LO, for some people it helps with acne, but for most it makes it worse. Best of luck :-)
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September 11, 2007

Pros:

Clearer skin, lighter periods, not pregnant...

Cons:

Random breakouts, feel fatter, extremely moody.

When I first started, my skin was amazing and clear and now I am 3 months in and I am PMS'ing. My skin is being INSANE. I hardly want to go outside. But besides this week, I have looked amazing and my periods are unbelievably light.
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