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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August 2, 2008

Pros:

Clear skin! Minimal cramping during my period, and my periods length shortened by almost half the time

Cons:

usually a few days of spotting, but thats about it

I have been on and off this pill for about 7 years. Everytime I stop taking it, my back breaks out in acne, my cramps are horrendous and my period lasts for a week. Life is so much easier using it.
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July 28, 2008

Pros:

not pregnant, clearer skin but still break out , alittle weight gain at first, regular/ predictable periods!!

Cons:

moood swings

overall i like it, it does what its advertised to do regulate periods and prevent pregnancy ... i just started taking doxycycline though for acne and it says it decreases the effect of birth control pills .. ugh that sucks it worries me a little
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July 27, 2008

Pros:

Haven't gotten pregnant, bigger boobs

Cons:

Mood swings, hair growth, change in pigment, heavier and more painful periods.

Didn't work for me, doesn't mean it won't work for you. Talk to your doctor and tell him what you expect from birth control, he can recommend one thats right for you.
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July 16, 2008

Pros:

Didn't get pregnant, cleared up my skin after several months, regulated my period

Cons:

My hair fell out a lot when I first started taking it.

After several months, my face was flawless from this stuff. It works and I didn't really have any side-effects. I only went off of it because I was tired of taking a pill everyday.
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July 7, 2008

Pros:

did not get pregnant, lighter periods

Cons:

if not taken with acidophilous pills monthly yeast infections

works just had to make sure i took extra pills daily with it
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June 29, 2008
had no period 1st mo.
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June 16, 2008

Pros:

not pregnant, cheap, cleared up mild acne, bigger boobs

Cons:

horrible headaches, VERY tender breasts, fatigued, extreme hunger

This pill is okay. I take the generic - tri sprintec. I've been taking it for a month. I have EXTREMELY tender breast..so sore that i can barely roll over in my sleep!..but on the flip side I went up a cup! I get horrible pounding headaches to the point where I have to lay down and pop tylenol. I always feel tired and lazy. I get extremely hungry even after I've eaten a large meal. On the brighter side, my mild acne has cleared up and I have a much brighter and smoother complexion. No mood swings, no cramps, no bloatedness.
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June 13, 2008

Pros:

Didn't get pregnant,less acne,lighter/shorter periods

Cons:

I've been on Ortho for nearly a year now and I'm just beginning to realize, this is the reason for my constant sadness/indifference to everyone/everything. I feel like I don't know what I want or who I like one day, hate the next.

Bottom line...I haven't gotten pregnant, my skin is slightly better, but the toll my relationships have taken..is not worth it.
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June 8, 2008

Pros:

im on ortho tri cylcen (not low) but the reg one..and have been on it for about 2 months..
none yet

Cons:

HEADACHES!!! im experiencing headaches like never before, and body ache and my acne hasn't improved yet ;9

im wondering if i should continue..bc these headaches are killing me so much that ive been taking lots of advil.
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June 6, 2008

Pros:

lighter period. less cramps. haven't gotten pregnant. cleared up my acne. it cost me nothing. (I work at a GYN office)

Cons:

a little bloating.

totally all for it.
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