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
November 16, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Cons:
I got really bad acne on my shoulders and back, something I have NEVER had before. I stopped taking the pill but the back acne will not go away. I also had an increased appetite, poor sleep, and water retention.
All of the literature says that Yasmin should not cause the problems it caused in me... but it has. So, I guess I would just caution anyone that side effects can and do occur. I would like to find a better method of BC. I am not very hopeful right now.
October 23, 2011
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
No mood swings!
No nausea, headaches, or anything!
Not tired!
Sex drive!!
Cons:
Breakout
Constantly thirsty!
Hungry!
Really expensive without insurance :(
So, I just finished my first week of Yasmin and the reason I'm on it is only because of acne. I'm not sexually active, but the reason I put "sex drive" as a pro is because I've been so much hornier lately..so I put 2 and 2 together :) a couple months ago I was on Ocella, and it was my frist time taking birth control. Ocella cleared my skin up! I was always hungry and craved milk, which was weird, but I didn't care because my face was clearing up. Then I stopped for a while, and broke out bad ( P.S. I've had acne ever since I started puberty). So I decided to get on Yasmin because if Ocella worked for me, then Yasmin would do wonders right? Well I've been on it for a week now, and like the second day, I started breaking out :( But now it's the end of my first week and I've noticed it's starting to heal.. My face isn't as oily anymore, and I believe oily skin is PRONE to acne. So if my face isn't oily anymore, my acne should start really clearing up soon :) I'll keep everyone posted!! Mwahs
September 27, 2009
Pros:
I have not taken ortho tri-clycen, but my sister and best friend did and I wanted to share their stories. My sisters skin did get better, however, there were serious adverse effects you need to be warned about
Cons:
Serious adverse effects included suicidal and morbid thoughts. Both my sister and friend gained weight, and their personalities completely changed. My sister kept having the same terrible worries our family would die the whole time she took it
BE VERY WARY of psychological side effects as well as physical ones. My friend pushed her roommate away and caused her boyfriend to break up with her. Both her and my sister couldnt figure out what was wrong, but all their psychological unsteadiness stopped when they discontinued their use of the pill. My friend stopped because her and her boyfriend broke up, and we were lucky enough to realize the pill was messing with my sister's mind. I wasn't the one that took the pill, but felt it important enough to warn you about this pill.
March 5, 2012
Pros:
Clearer skin for a few months
Less period pain
I took Yaz and had great results within the first month. All my active breakouts cleared up and I was left with only a few spots every now and again.
A few months into my treatment I realised that I had a build up of pimples underneath my skin which have been impossible to get rid of. I have been using this product for about 9 months now and my skin is returning to how it used to be. I pay $90.00 for a 3 month packet and I really do not think this product is worth the price. Also, people suffering from vomitting, ect may simply need to to take a different dosage of it. I experienced none of those symptoms due to Yaz
January 7, 2012
Pros:
No weight!
Short period! (three days)
No pregnant!
Less acnes
Cons:
rarely headache
I used Tri-spritic for almost 3 years but I was gained wight around 30bls during college year. I was not happy about it and decided to stop Tri-spritic for one year. My bf was worried when I was off BC because we dont want to have a baby or not protect from sex. So he wanted me back to on BC. I dont want to back to on BC (tri-spritic) and I found out that my friend use Ortho Tri-Cyclen. My friend said that this BC is great and less effective. She told me try it and I love it! My insurance is pay this BC from Parenthood and do not go to regular pharmacy because they wont pay for it. Only Parenthood willing to pay from insurance.
November 17, 2011
Pros:
Bigger breasts
Predictable periods
Way less acne
Cons:
Unbelievabley Painful cramps
Moodyness ALL month
Depression
Slowly dwindling sex drive
I've been on the pill for almost 2 years. AT first the nausea and acne breakouts were almost unbarable but I stayed with it. My acne has definitely Improved by 90%. In the last 3-6 months Ive noticed a very dramatic downhill slope in my mood. I didn't even realize why until recently. It's hard to notice so you have to pay attention. I caught myself yelling at my boyfriend when I realized something was way wrong. And I never had cramps before the pill and now I'm almost crippled the day I start and the whole week before is hell in everyway including migraines, cramps, grumpy, extreme fatigue and discomfort Down there. I guess everyone is different but I feel like this pill will either negatively affect you now or later.
November 13, 2011
Pros:
not pregnant
higher libido
bigger breasts
Cons:
weight gain
i cry all the time
dryness
bleeding after sex
higher appetite
you don't get pregnant. you do gain a lot of weight though. i've been on OTCL for about 5 months now and i've gained 10-15 lbs. none of my pants fit me and i haven't changed my eating habits. if anything i'm eating less and working more. i mostly always bleed after having sex (very lightly but still inconvenient). and you worry if it's because of other stuff... i want to eat all the time though! it's crazy, i have to force myself to not eat. oh and it smells funny down there... it turns off my boyfriend so i gotta make sure i shower regularly - preferably before sex. no acne. i do feel tired all the time! i take naps so often. i used to be okay with 6-7hrs of sleep but now i sleep 10 hrs on the weekends and still feel tired! i really want to switch, any recommendations?
December 6, 2009
Pros:
can enjoy sex without a condom with my bf. the best thing im not pregnant.
Cons:
thow up couple time n really moodyy sometimes
its worth it goin threw all the wick stomach and dizziness cause u dont get pregnantt and thats the best thing and thats what everybody looks for on a birthcontrol pill.
September 26, 2011
Pros:
Minimal side effects first 6 months
Very little to no acne
No excessive bloating first 6 months
No weight gain first 6 months
Cons:
Month 7 started feeling really bloated and had sore breasts
Extremely hungry a lot of times
Feeling very sleepy for past 3 months
Water retention
EVERY PILL HAS SIDE EFFECTS AND THEY ALL ONLY WORK FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AT LEAST FOR ME EVERYONE'S DIFFERENT. I RECOMMEND SWITCHING PILLS EVERY 6 MONTHS TO ANYONE THAT GIVES YOU THE LEAST SIDE EFFECTS THAT'LL KEEP YOU BALANCED
October 13, 2010
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Completely cleared my moderately severe acne.
Cons:
Sore boobs.
I went on Yasmin three years ago to treat adult acne. It worked wonders. Completely cleared my skin with very minor side effects. Even after switching to another BCP, my skin still remained crystal clear. I made the mistake of stopping BC for a few weeks, and my acne is worse than ever now. I went back on Yasmin about 2 months ago and am hoping for the same results. My face is mostly clear, but I have broken out pretty badly around my neck and jawline. I am hoping that this is just my body adjusting to the BC again and that I will experience the same amazing results I did the first time. I believe it did take 3-4 months for my skin to completely clear the first time I was on it, so you do have to be patient and give it time to work. I do think acne gets worse before it gets better when you go on a new BC.
Pros:
Regular period, no pregnancy