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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22.3%
4
33.2%
3
21.1%
2
14%
1
9.5%

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October 7, 2011

Pros:

Shorter Periods
Less Cramps

Cons:

Didn't clear my skin
Expensive
Caused yeast infection

At first my doctor (not a dermatologist) prescribed me with Ortho Tri-Cyclen LOW for my acne. I was on it for 6 to 7 months and it did not improve my acne at all. When I went back he gave me a higher dosage which was the regular Ortho Try-Cyclen. Again not much of an improvement in my skin, around my period time I'd still break out. Not as much as before but still very noticeable acne. After a while I started noticing itching after sex and a lot of clear orderless discharge. I panicked and went back to my doctor, apparently the pill had caused me to get a minor yeast infection which was not good at all. I stopped taking the pill right after and the yeast infection went away almost immediately. I also tried the generic brand which is a lot cheaper its called TriNessa as well did not work. For acne I absolutely do not recommend it especially the regular Ortho Tri-Cyclen since it cause an infection. But the Ortho Tri-Cyclen Low I recommend if you want shorter lighter periods without any cramps but again not for acne.
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December 24, 2010

Pros:

-cleared forehead acne
-boobs grew a little
-not pregnant
-regulates acne, so i know when ill be breaking out

Cons:

-increased chin acne

ive been on the pill for five months, still have breakouts on my chin and some on cheeks but my forehead is very clear. i started using BP and AHA and this is getting my hormonal acne under control. I also realized that I am breaking out at the same time each month and my skin is clearer at the same time each month.
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June 17, 2010

Pros:

booobs got bigger, cleared acne, helped my period flow ALOT.

Cons:

when i forgot it a couple times it made me crazzzzyy!

i love ittt.
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December 5, 2009

Pros:

Not pregnant

Cons:

Irritable, sleepy, breast tenderness, breakouts along jawline and chin - hoping this will clear up as i've only been on Ortho Tri Cyclen for a month

I recently switched from Yasmine to Ortho Tri Cyclen. My Gyno told me that Ortho is the only birth control pill that is FDA approved to clear up acne. Yasmine was good but it made me break out like CRAZY! Im hoping that with time Ortho will help my skin. They say it takes up to 3 months for your body to get used to the pill. Fingers crossed...
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November 3, 2009

Pros:

clear skin!!!!!!! that's the most important thing of all :)

Cons:

slight weight gain, boo :(

it works for me...it took about 2 months to notice a change and every month after that my skin got better and better. It's now been a year since I started taking it and I rarely get break outs. I suddenly got adult acne at the age of 25 and it got REALLY bad (moderately severe cystic, nodules, blackheads, and all over my face and neck)....a year later I'm back to normal and sooooo happy :)
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October 28, 2009

Pros:

Less acne, bigger boobs, no spotting, extremely horny (which is not a bad thing to me...), free from Planned Parenthood in CA.

Cons:

Can't skip period, super tired and emotional during beginning of pack, boobs slightly sore, I'm a bit bloated most of the time

I don't have any drastic side affects, it's doing more good than bad, and it's birth control, which I need.
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September 1, 2009

Pros:

well my breast are slight bigger after only about two weeks..

Cons:

terrible mood swings, me and my boyfriend have been fightning like cats and dogs ever since i been on it due to my moodiness, and i feel drained and absolutly depressed...

its alright... no weight gain yet,,i think...try not to eat alot!
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August 31, 2009

Pros:

skin is clearing up, made me feel happier in general

Cons:

increased appetite

I've been taking the pills for about 3 weeks now. I have had no new breakouts and my skin is noticeably clearing up. I didn't have any PMS symptoms at all, but my appetite has increased. I was nervous about taking this specific BC after reading reviews on here, but I would recommend them!
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July 27, 2009

Pros:

Clears about 65% of painfull acne, no mood swings

Cons:

Sore breasts, a little weight gain (again based on how much u eat), heart racing, hot flashes

I tried this product when I had moderate acne at the age of 18 and it cleared up my face somewhat, but every time i would start a new pill I would usually have to spend a day at home, because of worse cramps ever. It stoped in 3 months, I stop taking them just to see how my body would react and I got very bad breakouts. Switched to Allesse for a year, I absolutely hate it, makes me break out crazy and not only on the face, gain about 5 pounds, but no big deal. I weight 125 lbs now and I think its perfectly healthy weight for a 23 year old. I am switching back to Tri cyclen Lo, it should deffinately help with the oil production and hot flashes. Mood swings were always a part of my day so i didnt really notice anything different in that area, and if I do I usually just cry it out and the wash my face off or take a nice long bubble bath and its all good again :))
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July 16, 2009

Pros:

Made acne go away, shorter periods, skin became less oily, helped my moodiness.

Cons:

Gained 10 lbs, having to take it regularly.

It took about 2 months for me to start seeing any improvement in my breakouts, but once it started working it worked really well. Ortho Tri Cyclen is the ONLY thing that worked to clear up my acne and the minor side effects are worth having a clear face again. I haven't had a break out in about 5 months.
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