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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Compare To Other Treatments
5
19.7%
4
30.4%
3
21.8%
2
16%
1
12.1%

Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

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June 10, 2009

Pros:

Prevents pregnancy, lighter shorter periods, cleared skin until period starts, decreased breast tenderness and cramps.

Cons:

KILLS YOUR SEX DRIVE!!! Moodiness, irritability, depression, fatigue, weight gain, more emotional and sensitive to everything, lack of passion for anything.

I'm 32 years old and I've been on Ortho Tri Cyclen for 10 years and initially gained 5 pounds right off the bat and now 10 years later I'm 85 lb. overweight. I have never really changed my eating or exercise habits. Also, at first I loved it and it does work (preventing pregnancy) but it seems like the longer I'm on it the worse my side effects are. I used to want to have sex with my husband and now the thought of having it feels like a chore. It most definitely kills your sex drive and also I just have this BLAH attitude all the time now. I used to be so happy and smiley. I was such a sweet friendly person and now I'm such a b*tch on it. My poor husband doesn't know what to do with me. I'm on my last pack right now and I think I'm going off of it for awhile and see if I can lose some weight and get my sex drive and myself back.
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June 3, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

I'm not pregnant. My boobs gained a whole cup size.

Cons:

Haven't noticed any difference. not even a slight difference. I'm emotional and even more depressed than I was. I'm dry down there.

My face is finally clearing up. Finally. but honestly it's probably not the Yaz. I've been on Yaz for two months now and nothing, but as soon as I went on Doxycycline two weeks ago my face cleared up instantly. I'll keep taking this Yaz since i paid for it. I'll give it another month.
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June 2, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

weight loss,no periods when taken consistently and better moods.

Cons:

spots on face, leg cramping after being on it for 4 years and forgetting to take it,lol.

great for anyone that can tolerate it.
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May 23, 2009

Pros:

regulates period, I no longer have trouble with ovarian cists, prevents pregnancy, low dose is good for someone over 30,

Cons:

makes my skin break out worse than it has in years, gained 12 pounds in the past 8 months since I've been taking it, emotional during the week before my period starts, actually experience heavier periods with a lot of clotting

I stay on it to prevent pregnancy, but I am going to make an appt with my OB next week...I'd like to try another pill (I took Diane before and my skin never looked better)...I'm just afraid of gaining another 12 pounds!!! ;)
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May 2, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

*FOR ME*...NOTHING GOOD ABOUT THIS WHEN IT COMES TO ACNE! except it prevents pregnancy.

Cons:

made me break out worse than ever before in my life. I gained about 10 pounds in water weight the first 2 weeks. I was really emotional and moody and the weight and brake outs didnt help that AT ALL.

I will never take yaz ever again. Personally my body reacted very negatively to it. it definitely messed with my hormone levels and broke out in my hormonal section of my face worse than ever before. I gained about 10 pounds in water weight the first 2 weeks. I was moody and depressed and ive been off it for a little while now and am still in the process of healing my skin. and still getting brake outs but nothing like when i was taking it. I am now on cephalexin(antibiotic) and going to start spiro in the next couple days b/c im still getting hormonal brake outs and spiro should regulate and balance out my hormones so im counting on this one! I am also going to a tanning salon which is helping dry them out and getting regular facials and peels but this pill definitely sparked something and i had a reaction and its a battle trying to get my skin back to normal. if you have regular hormonal break outs like me yaz could make it worse. but everyones body reacts differently.
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April 23, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

none

Cons:

It did nothing except make me miserable, I seriously had to stop after about 2 weeks. I could start crying at any given time, it's just not worth being depressed and having bad skin.

It's unfortunate that pimples and acne can really put a damper on one's life. I've only had this problem for the last couple of years, from having completely perfect skin. I feel for everyone who's going through it and I wish there was a perfect solution. Bottom line, it may not work for me, but it might work for someone else. All you can do is try.
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April 21, 2009

Pros:

No pregnancy, period on time.

Cons:

Horrible increase in breakouts (allllll over), weight gain of like 15 pounds, mood swings, depression.

DONT TAKE IT.
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March 13, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

Prevents pregnancy, my acne is completely cleared! No moodiness, no cramps, and it regulates my period

Cons:

The same as other pills - you have to remember to take it every day.

My skin is completely cleared, I don't wear makeup on my face any more at all. I am in control of my period (timing), I have not gained weight (mind you, I did join a gym at the same time!), and discharge is not as extreme as it was before. I love this product. The best part is that when I forget to take a pill before bed one night, I can take it in the morning with little side-effects to being late.
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March 6, 2009

Pros:

Lost a lot of weight. Recently went off the pill and gained a TON of weight. Started it back the other day and have a huge decrese in appetite. When I was on it last year, my skin was clear, but not COMPLETELY. Got it at the health department 4 free.

Cons:

none

LOVE IT
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February 2, 2009

Pros:

No weight gain, no acne.

Cons:

Really the only con for me is that I have to remember to take it.

My period is late...is that normal??? I have been taking this for a month and I'm on the period ones, I haven't started my period and I hope it's normal because if not, I'm pregnant and I just had a baby. I can say one thing for sure, if I am pregnant I will never recommend this to anyone.
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