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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February 1, 2009

Pros:

regular period and clears up acne

Cons:

none... it was great!

I use to forget a lot so i decided to get off of it and I haven't had a period yet.. uh oh I think I many be pregnant but idk... lol
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December 23, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

No nasuea like some mentioned.

Cons:

none yet

I started taking Yasmine to regulate my periods. I am very irregular and I can go upto 3 months without a period and that is not koo. I will get back to you when i have been on Yasmine fo a month.
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November 12, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

prevented pregnancy, lightened periods, shortened periods

Cons:

acne flared, sometimes nausea, headaches

I had a bad experience with pregnany about 6 mos ago and decided that I dont want to go through it again and asked my mom to put me on birth control. I asked for YAZ because it basically took the edge off of periods. I asked my doctor, she gave me YAZMIN, I gave my perscription to the pharmacy and they gave me OCELLA. Its now tearing up my complexion. Before it was just me noticing, now my boyfriend is! I personally hate my birth control, grant it, it works, but its ruining my complexion and its getting embarassing to walk out in public. Not to mention the on again, off again nausea. My boyfriend sometimes freaks out because of how sick I get, Ill vomit for hours off and on, Ill bloat, I wont eat for days and I lose weight too quickly. Half of the time he makes me buy a pregnancy test just to make sure Im not pregnant. This is supposed to prevent pregnancy (it does :]) but it makes me feel like I am and personally, I can only deal with so many scares.
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October 18, 2008
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

No problems with PMS or mood swings

Cons:

Acne got considerably WORSE!!! Huge cystic acne I didn't have before taking the pill!!! Headaches and weight gain as well....also I am having trouble sleeping. I have been on YAZ for 3 months now waiting to see if things get better - they're NOT!!

I realize YAZ works differently for everyone, but it is NOT working well for me!! My skin was clear & I was just working on having old scars dissappear....now I feel like I have to start all over again!!! I have not had acne this bad since high school!! I am 28 years old and acne should be the least of my concerns at this point!!
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September 21, 2008

Pros:

Keeps You From Getting Pregnant

Cons:

None

Okay ive used OTC Fror 3years and I have no complaints.. i think all of u are just acting like little girls. How come everyone always has something bad to say about a product when u still continue to use it? Ok maybe is u have alot of acne then more than likely its just that u have bad jeans.. ever thought of that.. so suck it up lloronas
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September 1, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

Clears skin. No weight gain.

Cons:

Once you stop taking this after using if for an extended length of time...your acne may be worse than it was before you started this BCP. Be warned!!!

Do not take unless you have to! I am in my mid 20's and I've never had to deal with acne like this until now. I took this for BC purposes. I had great skin prior to using this; only one or two monsters a month. My skin stayed the same throughout the 3 years I was on it. I stopped this 9 months ago and now I have moderate acne and scarring.
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July 27, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

Huge Boobs!
Happier Mood
Increased Sex Drive

Cons:

Horrible Period Cramps
Muscle Aches
Weight Gain

I don't really like it, Im thinking of going off of it.
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July 21, 2008

Pros:

nothing

Cons:

pregnancy mask, severe mood swings, terrible bloating, weight gain

terrible side effects, to much estrogen for ANYONE to ever take.
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June 3, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

Absolutly none!!!

Cons:

weight gain, low self worth, mood swings, paranoid, tingling in arms, numbness in big toes

I have been on yasmin for 4 months now and they have been the worst four months of my life!!!! its only today i've realized why 'm so miserable and unhappy that i resort to hiding away and bingeing on junk food. The only times i am happy and start getting back to normal are when i have my period and am not taking the hormonal pills...... then when i start my new pack it all returns back to feeling horrible. I used to be so happy, slim, sociable.......... now i'm fat, i hate life and i try avoid my friends because i don't want to see anyone. I've also become exstremly clingy, paranoid and insecure in my relationship which never ever happened before i was on YASMIN. I can't believe who i've become but atleast i now know the reason and will never take a yasmin pill again!!! Am looking forward to getting back to the old me!
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May 6, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

.....not sure

Cons:

weight gain, raging appetitte, sleepiness, depression.

This is my first week on yasmin but i wanted to post on here... just incase any other girls where experiencing my problems and thought it was just them. I was on ortho tri-cyclin for a year (and diane a few years before that, which didn't change my acne much at all) On ortho I actually kept a normal weight or maybe even lost weight cuz it regulated my hormones the best. But yasmin has made me a wreck!! ive gained 10 lbs in the first week i have taken it. I have been so sleepy and moody that I dont want to wait it out to see if it gets better. My body is telling me NO on this one so I am going to wait a cycle then go back to ortho. In all though..none of the BCs have cleared my acne. Just possibly made it less crazy.
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Finding a Doctor

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.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
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