Oral Contraceptives
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Oral contraceptives, otherwise known as birth control pills, are also approved to treat acne. They work by regulating male hormones in the female...

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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October 23, 2008

Pros:

It did help with my acne. My face was clearing up; only had a few small zits here and there. Much improvement. Didn't cause sleeplessness, depression, or irritability as other BCs have done with me.

Cons:

It made me a little sick to my stomach. It caused vivid dreams. But, the worse is that I believed it caused me to have a bad anxiety attack. I don't use it anymore.

When it comes to BC, it's just guessing and testing. If you have bad acne (especially as an adult), and you've never tried a tri-cycle type BC (a different type of pill for each week), then I would suggest to give it a shot. This stuff was helping my acne, and I would have stayed on it if I didn't have the anxiety attack. I tried Yaz before, and it caused minor anxiety attacks, so I know BC can do that to me. I just don't have any luck with this stuff! I hope you have better fortune with this than me because it might help clear your face.
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October 17, 2008

Pros:

No Back and Chest Acne, No Headaches, Regulated Periods, Bigger Boobs, No side Effects, No Weight Gain

Cons:

Acne on Chin.

I have been on OTC Lo for about 6 months now. I had lots of back acne and chat acne. I used it primarily not to get pregnant and for my acne. On the 1st month, I lost my back an chest acne. Now its soft as a baby. My boobs grew a little bit smaller. Breast Soreness does not bother me. My periods are regulated. The only problem I have right now, after 6 months of using it, is my facial acne. It is bothering me. Mostly on the chin. I will try to observe it for a month or two. If it will not work, ill switch to OTC regular. Higher estrogen helps cure acne.
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October 5, 2008

Pros:

Regulates period

Cons:

Weight gain and more breakouts.

My GYN put me on OTC lo to help with my severe acne breakouts that the dermetologist couldn't clear. The pill at first cleared my face up but my breakouts have returned on my face. Also, the acne on my body (chest and back) never cleared up and looks as bad as it always has. I have also had increase hunger and have gained at least 10lbs.
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October 1, 2008

Pros:

Lighter periods, and less cramps

Cons:

Made me gain a bit of weight that ortho cyclen doesn't. Face started to break out again.

I got off this pill because I wanted to skip my periods. It worked pretty well for only using it a month.
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October 1, 2008

Pros:

Clearing up skin, I will finally be able to regulate when my period comes

Cons:

Tender and sore breast, Made me break out horribly at first, moodiness

I am on Ortho LO. I took this pill specifically for my acne. At first It broke me out horribly. I know it was from the pill because I woke up with pimples on my forehead and under my chin in addition to the normal places. After that initial breakout my skin has been clearing itself since then. I didnt want to resort to taking birth control pills but I have been suffering from acne since I was 13 and have been through many products. My skin is still clearing itself, but this is the best it has looked in years. The main con is sore and tender breast, I can barely touch them! And there were a few days where I have felt moody, but im not depressed or anything. When it broke me out I was going to go off, give it time to work! When most people write reviews, its to complain, so make sure you read this.
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September 29, 2008

Pros:

my periods are extremley regular
Minimal cramping

Cons:

Not really sure how it affects my acne or sex drive (see bottom line)
TERRIBLE PMS. very hateful and angry.

I started taking the pill when I was 14. I had moderate/severe acne at the time. I've always had the same type of acne. No blackheads or whiteheads just pimples. I get a cyst maybe once every 6 months but it goes away within a week. When I started taking the pill my pimples were mainly on my cheeks, but i had a lot of them. My acne has never been as bad since, but I still have it. Now I would say its mild/moderate but it has relocated from my cheeks to my chin/jaw area. I cant say whether the pill had any affect on this as i was 14 at the time and am almost 20 now, its quite possible I have just outgrown the acne as I still have dealt with breakouts since then just not as severe.
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September 26, 2008

Pros:

i felt I actually lost weight, less appetite, nothing else changed

Cons:

few mood swings, few breakouts (but im hoping it's not from this), and taking it the same time everyday is mad annoying!

I like it, its not bad. I'm gonna use it for a few more months, i dont want BABIES!
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September 21, 2008

Pros:

less acne, lighter periods, less cramping

Cons:

increase in appetite, weight gain

It's definitely helped my acne, but I've gained 10 pounds (possibly water retention, though) in the year I've been on it and am constantly hungry if I don't pop an Adderall with it, despite never having any weight problems before. Personally I'm going off it for a month to see if I lose the desire to eat everything in sight, but if you're active enough to stave off weight gain, I recommend this. Also, studies have shown that gaining more than 5% of your starting body weight while using birth control can be a sign of a tendency toward insulin resistance or abnormal glucose metabolism ([link removed] If you have problems with weight gain or increased sppetite while taking birth control, try switching to a low-carb diet (me, I like bread too much).
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August 28, 2008

Pros:

i used it for my acne but i noticed it helped with my periods being on time

Cons:

it helped the acne very little but of coarse i got little bumps on my checks and forhead area for about 2 years now. Something serouis so it does take time.

Does what its suppose to do!:)
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August 8, 2008

Pros:

Regulates periods and they are lighter. I got on OTC because I had severe acne on my back for 8 years. The month I started taking it my back improved 90%. I love it, it is the only medicine that has helped my acne.

Cons:

My biggest problem is just remembering to take the pill!

If you have bad acne give it a try. I went to the dermatologist for years and never was given medicine that helped like OTC.
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