Oral Contraceptives
Hormonal Therapy
Reviews
3.3
2743 Reviews
Oral Contraceptives
Hormonal Therapy
Efficacy
63%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Note: Improvement significantly increases after 24 weeks.
Oral Contraceptives
Hormonal Therapy
Side Effects
High
Oral Contraceptives
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.
Oral Contraceptives
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.
Read All About Oral Contraceptives
Compare To Other Treatments
5
19.7%
4
30.4%
3
21.8%
2
16%
1
12%

Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

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March 13, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

Shorter Periods, Lost Weight, No Babies

Cons:

Clear Skin, Tender Breasts, Mood Swings, HUNGRY!!!

I have been on for 2 month...I didn't gain weight but am always hungry. Try it. Try it. Try it. Changed my life
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March 12, 2008

Pros:

not pregnant, regular light periods

Cons:

Have to take it every night

I'm pretty good about remembering to take the pill and otherwise I've had no adverse reaction to it. In the beginning I would get nausea after taking it but that wore off by the end of the first month. I've been on it for 2 years now, and nothing else seems better suited for me
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March 11, 2008
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

None that I know of

Cons:

Caused more breakouts, EXTREMELY TIRED, to the point where i am falling asleep at the wheel. I am sooooo tired!!!!!! i am also feeling depressed

Can't handle the fatigue. Wish I had never taken this, dont know why it's on the market. i want my money back!!
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March 8, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

*Not Pregnant
*Better Skin

Cons:

worst mood swings ever, suicidal, depression, nausea, headaches, aggresive, lethargic, cramps, crying all the time (symptoms I have gotten after about 9 months of using Yasmin). Expensive. I would not recommend this for anyone.Almost ruined my life.

Not worth even trying.
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March 5, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

Stopped my severe back aches that I used to get every month.
I always know when I am going to start my period.

Cons:

Depression. (I have never been depressed in life until 3 months after I started taking Yaz.)

Every womans body reacts differently. It took 3 solid months of me feeling like I was pregnant (symptoms) until things stabalized, but then I realized a couple months after that I had been feeling depressed. I have never been depressed in my life until I started yaz. I won't be taking it again starting today, I have done my research and depression is not something to play around with.
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February 17, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

Not pregnant

Cons:

Weight gain, depression, no sex drive, before taking yasmin when i worked out I would sweat, butI would stink...now the odor is bad...Stopped it just because of that!

It is impossible to try and loose weight while on this pill!
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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 23, 2008

Pros:

prevents pregancy

Cons:

worst acne ever

I am not sure how to get my skin back to normal but ever since I took OTC and came off it I break out all the time. I wont go back on it, but I don't know what to do to help my acne!
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January 3, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

I have been on Yaz for 3 months now and it has really cleared up my skin. It took time but I'm really happy with the results. Yaz also does not cause any bloating or PMS symptoms. I also use Differin Gel and really like this too.

Cons:

Prescriptions are expensive. Insurance does not always cover the cost. It's worth it to me to pay a little more for healthy skin.

I really like Yaz and will stick with this as long as I need it. I'm happy that my skin is clearning up and accredit it to Yaz and to Differin Gel.
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December 24, 2007
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

regular periods

Cons:

None

It never really helped or hurt my acne. My acne stayed the same while I was on it. I would recommend it as a birth control pill but not as an acne treatment. It might work for others though.
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The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
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