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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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January 24, 2008

Pros:

Regular periods, no premenstral pain, no acne

Cons:

expensive

Helped treat acne
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January 18, 2008

Pros:

I have always had to deal with constant acne my whole life thus far (23 now). I went on OTC regular and the first few months did not notice much of a difference and it maybe seemed to get worse. But by the end of month two I am completely clear.

Cons:

None really. Might make you worse for the first month and a half, but trust me....its sooo amazing after that first period. I didn't believe people at first about it working b/c I was impatient, but stuck through it b/c my acne was so bad.

My skin is completely clear now. I had BAD acne before. Definitely hormonal though. It would lessen and then get bad again right around my period. It is soo amazing to wake up and not have to conceal barely anything on my face b/c of my new clear skin! I love it! I would recommend this to anyone who perhaps used to get regular and cystic acne everyday. It really really works! Just stick through the first two months and you should definitely start to see your skin clear up. It is soo nice to not have to wake up to a new pimple or two everyday. NOTE: I am only supporting OTC regular. I have tried Lo in the past and it had neither postive or negative results. And do not try the generic either...I hear it is not the same as the OTC regular.
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January 17, 2008

Pros:

Prevents pregnanacy, regulates periods

Cons:

Gave me the worst acne I have ever had in my life. I was unhappy all the time and on some days, I didn't even want to leave the house.

My OB/GYN switched my BC prescription to the Lo version for the health benefits of having less estrogen. I didn't experience any drastic changes at first, but I eventually developed the WORST cystic acne. I consulted a dermatologist, not thinking that it was the BC pills since I had been on the regular Ortho Tri Cyclen for several years. He tried a gammut of treatments on me and finally resorted to giving me to option to try Accutane. I refused this option due to the severe side effects and possible birth defects. As a 26 year old, I dealt with embarrasing acne for 3 years. I tried all available washes, peels, ect. both expensive and not-- nothing worked. I don't know why I didn't think of it earlier, but I decided to switch back to the regular Ortho Tri Cyclen as another means to try to fix this problem. I couldn't be more amazed. Two weeks after switching, my skin is like velvet and is totally clear.
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January 15, 2008

Pros:

No pregnancy.

Cons:

Made it through middle school and high school with maybe 3 zits. Now that I've been on Tri Cyclen for 6 months, I'm breaking out like crazy and I'm 22. Also, inability to lose weight when I used to drop so quickly.

In search of another birth control method. Either another pill or an IUD. It seems to clear up skin in other cases so I'd say to start it but switch later on if you're experiencing the same thing I am. ** I get mine from planned parenthood and it only costs $15.00/month.
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January 15, 2008

Pros:

not pregnatnt, clear skin, shorter periods, hardly no pms symptoms

Cons:

none until i was switched to otc lo, then i had to go off it cuz i started clotting.

i loved the regular otc. i was on it for years. i wouldnt have changed except the local planned parent hood stopped using it, they switched me to the otc lo, and it was great until i started clotting after only a couple of months.
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December 18, 2007

Pros:

Not Pregnant, Cheaper than Orthro Evra,

Cons:

Moody, Emotional, Bloated, Pimples, blackheads and whiteheads (NEVER AN ISSUE BEFORE & nausea

It's birth control. It's preventing pregnancy which is the only reason why I began taking it. The crying has subsided and my moods are more stable. However, I'm not a fan of the acne that seems to come along with this pill, in my case. I've always had clear skin but am now noticing an appearance of whiteheads, blackheads and pimples. I'm also suffering from nausea. I've only been taking this stuff for 2 months and if by month 4 there are no changes, I will DEFINITELY get off of it.
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December 9, 2007

Pros:

Prevents pregnancy, cleared up my acne.

Cons:

None really. Some nausea and dizziness. Slight mood swings when i first started.

I was previously taking a birth control pill called Solia (horrible) which made me break out really bad and caused intense mood swings and a lot of unwanted crying. Once i switched to ortho tricyclen i noticed clearer skin within the first 2-3 week, less of an unstable mood, and no cramps either. Before starting any type of pill, i had very severe cramps, and brith control pills took care of that right away. OTC did cause nausea and dizziness the first month but has gone away since. My sex drive has not been affected at all, i have not gained any weight,my breasts are the same size, and the bloating i do experience is like any normal bloating prior to your period, I dont have any spotting and my period comes at exactly the same time every month. I would definitly recommend this pill.
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November 29, 2007

Pros:

Lighter periods, effective form of birth control (i.e., no babies), helped with acne, I know when to expect my period

Cons:

mood swings, no sex drive

Great pill. I've been on it for about 3 years and it's worked great for me. I have shorter, lighter periods. It helped with the acne, but it wasn't a miracle product. I still use benzoyl peroxide & routine face care.
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November 8, 2007

Pros:

still haven't gotten pregnant! helped clear my skin.

Cons:

makes me feel sick to my stomach if i don't take it at the exact same time, doesn't regulate my period as well as it should.

the pill does it job as far as preventing pregnancy, however, my period isn't as regulated as it should be-and i've been on it for 1 year now! it does help clear up my skin, and my cramps aren't as bad. it hasn't made me gain weight either, which is definately a plus!!
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November 6, 2007

Pros:

Regulates menstrual cycle, prevents prenancy

Cons:

Nautious and dizzy ALOT. I can't keep up with my workout class since starting.

Hopefully After a few months things will get better.
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