Acne.org Products
Hormonal Therapy
Efficacy
63%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Note: Improvement significantly increases after 24 weeks.
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.
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.
Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
September 9, 2007
Cons:
Slight nasea, bloating, mood swings. No change in condition of skin.
I went on OTC to attempt to clear my acne. I had been on it for over a year and noticed no improvement or worsening. I did notice bloating and nasea at the start. I've had cystic acne for years and recently broke out more all around my chin. After reading some other reviews i've atributed this to going off OTC for a month. Now i am on Yasmin. I don't know if this is supposed to help with acne but I like the idea of a lower hormone dose. If anyone has tried Yasmin and it has helped with acne please let me know!! Good Luck to all.
September 1, 2007
Pros:
Less painful cramps, less flow, know when my period will start, protects against pregnancy, larger breasts!
Cons:
slight nausea in the beginning, slight weight gain. I don't know if has been helping or hindering my acne but this past month my acne has got significantly worse, large cyst like pimples on my cheeks that I have never had before. Definitely a con!
I am going to continue using this as it is effective and affordable birth control, and I like the regularity of my periods. As for the slight weight gain that may be my own fault, as I have been traveling a lot and trying new foods. As for the acne, well, I am going to try some alternative methods (Proactiv, apple cider vinegar) to clear it up and hopefully it is not the birth control's fault. We shall see!!!
July 28, 2007
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Big Boobs... better skin... cystic acne cleared and better mood.
Cons:
sore boobs, very low libido,occasional migraine, weight gain, great appetite and sleepiness.
Don't be scared... I bled for almost two weeks when I started taking it... I had 3 huge mosquito bite like acne on my face and I was very emotional on the first week but that was because my system was just adjusting to the pill. I thought of stopping but on the 2nd week, my mood improved, my blackheads disappeared, my over all skin clearer and my boobs were at least half a cup bigger. I have been battling with PMDD for almost a year now and it has greatly affected my life and my marriage. I didn't want to do anything, hated everyone and just depressed 2 weeks out of each month. I have heard of Yasmin and Yaz to help with severe PMS but I wanted to treat it naturally. But I just couldn't take it any longer so I tried Yasmin. It's like an answer to my prayers. It's freaking out my husband because he's never seen me this happy but our sex life is suffering. Actually I thought my libido was unshakable... but it really is making my sex drive really low (close to none)
July 26, 2007
Pros:
Makes your periods shorter, less cramping, regulated periods, and got rid of 50% of my acne
Cons:
Brand name is expensive, but a lot of companies offer a generic brand alternative. Health risks are involved with all pills, etc. Some weight gain.
Caused minor weight gain for me though it did miracles for making my periods lighter and shorter and killed most of my awful cramps. It also cleared up 90% of my back acne and about 50% of my face acne (got rid of the bumps on my forehead, cheeks, etc) and prevented approximately half of my cystic acne breakouts. I'd recommend it definitely! I never experienced breakthrough bleeding, though I tried Ortho Tri-Cyclin Lo once and it did cause bleeding around week 2.
July 26, 2007
Pros:
Regulated Period
Cons:
Some "morning sickness", Not being on them anymore.
I used this product around 2 full years so I could get my periods regulated. I never remember breaking out, and my periods were better then ever(NO SPOT BLEEDING). My skin was clear while on the pills, because the pills help decrease the hormone that causes acne around your period, and that's ususally what I got. Ever since I was taken off of them about 2 years ago, my skin has broken out horribly, and I'm considering going back on them.
July 15, 2007
Pros:
it works for birth control
Cons:
it has made me break out the worse ever. this is my second month on the pill but i am dicontinuing it. i realized after reading the reviews that the pill gave me the these big cysts, tiny pimples on forehead, cheeks, and chin.
use it if you don't care about getting flare ups. i didn't kno birth control could take control of acne the way it has for me in a bad way. i am giving all that up. i have recently ordered clearpores due to the breakouts. didn't know what was causing my flareups but after reading and thinking about when i started falring up i am stopping the bcps.
July 10, 2007
i took otc-lo for 5 months and it made me break out really bad! before that i would get the occasional pimple and needed protection so i figured otc-lo would help with both. it made me feel super sick the first week and i would get thesr horrible depression swings. wORST part of it all is that itmade me break out (cyst like nodules) and its been over 4 months (since i got off the pill) and i havent stopped breaking out. i dunno what to do...
July 5, 2007
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
lower dose of oestrogen then dianette that i was taking, newer type of pill, different progesterone meant to help with skin, pms symptoms etc
Cons:
for the first 2 weeks felt very tired and depressed at times, hot sweats now and then, otherwise none
I was on dianette for spots but after nearly 4 years on it and doing plenty research into various pills i decided i should come off it and try yasmin as i knew dianette was not meant for long term use, i asked my gp who agreed and with fear i tried yasmin!! for the first 2 weeks i was tired and felt down at times, but i felt less bloated and no sore boobs which i often got on dianette, my skin and hair is about the same as on the dianette in fact by the second week of pills i think my skin was less greasy, i got some hot sweats, not too pleasant but you expect some effects initially. Just done with first month now and i think it seems fine fingers crossed it continues to be ok as i would rather not go back to the dianette. However pills are different for each individual i think you just have to try them and see! but if you are on long term dianette and have thought about yasmin try it, can't harm to try you could always go back if it doesn't suit you!
June 21, 2007
Pros:
No nausea, pregnancy, etc.
Cons:
Weight gain (about 5lbs after 3 months), acne doesn't noticeably appear any better either.
I've only been on it about three months and I started solely to clear up my acne. I take it every morning and so far don't feel as if my skin is any better. I'm taking DifferinGel (sp?) in conjunction with the OTC-lo...not sure if I should continue using it or try another pill?
May 5, 2007
Pros:
cheap, no cramping. Haven't gotten pregnant
Cons:
Have been experiencing breakouts on nose, chin, and forehead...been to dermatologist, tried every acne product known to man...can only connect the breakouts to tri-Nessa.
I am getting off this pill, my skin hasn't been this bad since junior high.
Pros:
No fear of pregnancy.Lighter periods and lesser cramps