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
October 16, 2006
Cons:
Really bad mood swings ...
Well I was just wondering if anyone knows how long it takes for the birth control pill to work. I started using orth tri cyclen lo and it wasnt working but i was only on it a month and then i went on tri cyclen and i notice it clearing up but when will i notice it working much more, i have only been using it 1/2 month.
Thanks
July 18, 2012
Pros:
regulate periods
no weight gain
boobs feel bigger
no sex drive decrease
Cons:
acne has not improved
breakouts infrequent after switching from loestrin
ugly packaging
On pack three of OTC after switching from Loestrin 24 fe. Loestrin wrecked my skin, I have nasty cystic scars and I'm dissapointed I haven't seen any improvements on OTC yet. Will give this pill another 5 months and will cry a lot and try another BC if nothing happens for my skin by then.
February 7, 2012
Pros:
not pregnant
Cons:
nausea
headaches
mood swings
tender breasts
I've been taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen for about two weeks now, and I've been experiencing the worst nausea of my life. Last night, I puked in Wal-Mart and I puked when I got home. My nipples have also been extremely sore, and I've been getting headaches quite frequently. I was told it would take about a month for the side effects to clear up, so, unless I puke more today, I'm going to wait it out until my pack is done, and hopefully things get better.
December 24, 2010
Pros:
Cleared Up Skin
Didn't seem to gain any weight
Cons:
Stomach Pains
Threw Up Often
I was on Mircette but couldn't continually afford it, then I went on Tri Sprintec (Generic for Ortho). It definitely helped with my chin and cheek acne! However, I would have times when I would have severe stomach pains and throw up. This would happen often. I went to the doctor, they couldn't figure out what the problem was, so my parents told me to get off the pill for awhile and see what happens. I haven't been sick since. I guess my body just didn't agree with it.
November 29, 2010
Product used: LoEstrin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Low dose
Super light periods
Cleared some acne
Cons:
Not strong enough
Break through bleeding
I tried Loestrin for a year after Ortho, Yasmin, and Depo. It wasn't strong enough for me and I'm only about 5' 90 lbs. I had break through bleeding and more acne than on the stronger pills. I have found that mid-strength like Yasmin is the best, rather than super strong (Ortho) or too weak (Loestrin).
April 17, 2010
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
light periods
no cramps
consistent periods
breasts are more firm
Cons:
occasional breakouts during periods
does what's it's suppose to, but I don't know about the acne management. I had acne before the pill and thought I might give it a try. Yaz did little to no difference with my acne, but I thought i be on it anyhow to practice safe sex. I am going on YASMIN next month. It's has a little bit more estrogen than Yaz and is suppose to help with acne, so hopefully this goes well.
June 15, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
bigger chest, clearer skin, healthy hair, no cramps, regular periods
Cons:
dry skin, increased appetite
if you know when your body needs food, as opposed to when it wants it you will be fine. i have been on it for about 2 months in the first month i gained a kilogram but dropped it virtually straight away.
April 27, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
I didn't get pregnant....
Cons:
anxiety, major wieght loss, acne
I never had anxiety or really moody periods until i started taking yas, it was getting so bad that i thought i would have to get on depression pills, also i never had an acne problem till i got on yas and my skin is horrible now...glad to say i'm off of it and feeling 20 times better.
April 23, 2009
Pros:
No pregnancy, no side effects
Cons:
my acne is light but has never gone all the way away
I have used Ortho-Tri-Cyclen and Ortho-Tri-Cyclen Lo for about 6 years and it is great at preventing pregnancy. It is not a magical cure for acne though. I have pretty much alway had some kind of acne and I even used Accutane. For birth control though it is low dose and I have light periods.
November 17, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Skin is looking a bit better
Cons:
extremely ANGRY 24/7, ance may be a bit better but getting huge cysts on my face which is I never got before, and yeah main con is angryness - I find little things said to me really offensive
I've used Yasmin for a month and nw I can't decide whether to continue using it or not. I'm only using it for my skin and so far I'm not sure if there's an improvement but it seems to feel smooth and clearer BUT been getting cysts in random places I never got acne before on my face. The month before I started using Yasmin I started trying to lose weight and lost 3kg which I was so happy about but the month I started using Yasmin I didn't loose any weight - even though I stepped up my exercising for the month before 30-1hr exercise a day (did some massive bike rides) and ate healthy. I think Yasmin made me not loose anymore weight. And my mood swings are crazy at the moment I am angry at everyone and everything!
Pros:
Not sure yet but should clear up my face cause it did before