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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Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

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February 21, 2011

Pros:

-Less period cramps
-not being pregnant
-no weight gain
-more balanced emotions

Cons:

-Skin seems to be worse than it was before
-lost a lot of weight
-weird cravings/appetite changes

My doctor prescribed me this pill in order to help clear up some of my acne. I had previously done 6 months on Accutane, which did wonders for my skin. However, after a couple of years, the acne begins to slowly return (but not nearly as bad as it was before!). Since Accutane killed my liver, my doctor didn't recommend me doing another trial on it. Therefore, she prescribed me this pill. I've been on it for 6 months and my acne has gotten progressively worse. However, my diet could be the cause of that, because I have been getting abnormal cravings for foods that I have never liked (sodas, candy, etc.). If you do take this pill, make sure you eat a well-balanced diet and stay away from junk foods. Although I have not gained any weight from the junk food (I have actually lost some after being on the pill), it takes a toll on your skin. Bottom Line: If you want a birth control pill for the sole purpose of clearing up your skin, I do not recommend this one.
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February 12, 2011

Pros:

Protection
Cleared Mild Acne
NO weight gain
NO nausea, bloating, stomach pain
NO mood swings
NO decrease in sex drive
NO spotting

Cons:

No cons

Like ALL birth controls, this pill takes at LEAST 3 months for your body to get used to it. I started this pill 9 months ago and have had NO problems. I have tried Loestrin 24 Fe which gave me horrible stomach pains, YAZ which made me have major mood swings, and Seasonique which made me spot every month. This is the first pill I have had success with. Please remember every girl's body is different with different levels of hormones released. With that said, not every pill will work for you. I WOULD recommend this pill to anyone and everyone. Try it for at least 3 months. If you have some weight gain, work out a little more & problem solved. If you have acne, watch your diet. Know your body and what you put in it. Know the active drugs and hormone levels in this and all pills before you take a BC. Take note of what seems to work and what doesn't. Bottom line.... I love this pill. Good luck :)
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60 user(s) found this helpful

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February 4, 2011

Pros:

None

Cons:

Daily headeaches
depression
acne
increased appetite
moodness
racy thoughts
water retention

Don't take it! I went to hell with this medication. I broke out even more than before. My acne got so bad that my face looked disgusting! The worse of all was the depression and anxiety, which also came with an ancontrolable appetite. I gained 20 pound within a month, and went to my University's doctor crying, because I felt like doodoo in every sense of the way. The doctor said that it was one of the worse birth control pills on the market, and that she had many patiences sufering from the same simptoms. So I am not alone.
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February 4, 2011

Pros:

Not pregnant
Face cleared up
Lightened my period

Cons:

Moodiness
Bloating
Appetite change
Remembering to take it everyday

I only took this for 2weeks works alright. At first my chin had broken out soooo much the first week omg! But I was ok with it because I was on my period so it was normal for me to get like a few pimples. So I didn't stress out about it. However because I get very hormonal and my mood swings are high on my periods, the pills like doubled it! My bf suffered so much one minute I'm yelling at him then crying, then like very sex crazed. Then after my period I was back to normal. My face cleared up nicely feeling soft too. Although my appetite changed. I started to like pig out and bloat like crazy! I'm underweight but still it is not normal for me to eat this much. I wonder what other surprises will this bring. These contain too much hormones for me to handle.
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51 user(s) found this helpful

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January 28, 2011

Pros:

- Better skin
- Lighter & Shorter Periods
- Less & Milder Cramps
- Prevents pregnancy
- No side effects (no bloating, no depression, no weight gain... unfortunately ladies my breast didnt grow, lol that would have been the only side effect i would like!)

Cons:

- Takes a while to see skin benefits

Unfortunately, bc is all about trial and error, and boy does it kill off your selfesteem when its error and you end up with worst skin. I've tried several birth controls and it has been a nightmare! Tri-Cyclen, really has helped my skin, however, it took about 2-3 months, before I saw dramatic results. I haven't experienced ANY side effects on this brand. (Unlike other brands where I felt depressed, was moody, worst periods, worst break outs, no weight gain etc.) *IMPORTANT* I've really learned after trying soo many different bc brands, that unfortunately everyone's body is so different. What works for you may have an opposite effect on your friend vice versa. The first BC I was on, was Cyclen... which was terrible terrrible terrible. Yet 3 of my friends love it and it did miracles for their skin.
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29 user(s) found this helpful

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January 23, 2011

Pros:

Prevented pregnancy

Cons:

Caused me to break out in inflammed,cystic acne
Left horrible Acne marks

This review is for Ortho Tri-Cyclen LO. I used this for 2 months and in the 2 months I broke out horribly like I never had in my life. I've used BC before and have never had this problem before. After two months of usage, I couldn't deal with the wreckage on my face so I discontinued usage and my acne stopped but the red marks have stayed!
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25 user(s) found this helpful

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January 22, 2011

Pros:

-Cleared up skin amazingly
-Lost a couple of pounds
-Cramps are long gone
-feel less bloated
-Not prego!

Cons:

-Feel sick in the morning
-Need to drink lots of water while I'm taking it

The main reason I took this pill was for my acne, My skin has never been that bad but there was point in my life my skin was HORRIBLE my doc put me on birth control and I have to say its a miracle I'm on my 2nd month now.
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20 user(s) found this helpful

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January 17, 2011

Pros:

Worked first time around, but not 2nd.

Cons:

Can only use for a few months before you grow immune

Used this before my wedding and it worked beautifully to clear up my skin. Took 2-3 months to see results. Went off it at 6 months on Derm's recommendation so that I wouldn't build up immunity. Tried it again 8 years later and it didn't work at all.
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46 user(s) found this helpful

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January 16, 2011

Pros:

- Over all skin clarity is a bit clearer.
- Losing some weight.

Cons:

- CONSTANT feeling of nausea.
- Some new zits / skin problems have formed.
- Either so starving you can eat anything, or so full you can't even think of food.
- Nighttime headaches.
- Morning vomiting.
- More tired / lazier.

I've only been on this pill for about a week or two so far, but I'll tell you it's been one hell of a time already. I always feel like I'm going to vomit .. and when I say always, I mean ALWAYS. Sometimes I actually do. Migraines at night when I'm trying to sleep always occur. You can only take this pill right after your evening meal, at a specific time. New pimples have formed, I guess I should use more makeup then planned when I go out now-__- Overall, this pill so far is HORRID, but we'll see how my body decides to react to it after week 4. Wish me luck.
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10 user(s) found this helpful

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January 13, 2011

Pros:

not pregnant
improved cramps

Cons:

terrible breakouts

I never had bad acne but as soon as I started ortho I broke out TERRIBLY. My doctor told me to wait a few months but it never got better. I finally switched birth control bills and now my face is back to normal...
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5 user(s) found this helpful

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