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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August 17, 2010

Pros:

~Predictable period
~No break through bleeding
~No sickness when starting pill
~Clears some acne

Cons:

~Cant skip periods
~Mild mood swings

I started on Alese for my first birth control pill, but taking it I got a lot of break through bleeding (almost as bad as a period!) So my doctor perscribed me this and 3 hours after taking the first pill my bleeding from the first pill stopped entirely! I have always had moderate acne, but I used to get these very sore pimples under the skin that took days to surface so I could get rid of them, but I havent had one since I started on this pill. Some people have said they got sick during the first few months of taking it, but it didnt even feel like I was on anything while starting out. Also, a few have said they had a decresed libido but I didnt find that with me, still horny as ever! Only bad part is a couple mild mood swings, but I tend to be like that anyway and I am probably only noticing these more because other people have said stuff about moodswings while on this. Sorry for the long rant, over all a great pill! :)
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August 10, 2010

Pros:

Lighter and much shorter period
More predictable periods
No spotting

Cons:

Loss of sex drive
Extreme mood swings
Nausea

The bottom line is I love this pill, I feel like it is the best thing that has happen to me minus the loss of sex drive! During my first month on this pill I felt down and depressed all the time and was sick to my stomach every day. When I started on the second month I couldn't have been better. Unlike when I was on Depo Provera and Seasonique I have no spotting or break through bleeding. My periods are way lighter and shorter than they have ever been in my life. I give this product an A+!
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August 9, 2010

Pros:

- Not pregnant.

Cons:

- Headaches - at least once a day.
- Nauseous the first few days after the white pill.
- Moody - especially during 'that time of month'.
- Decreased libido - worst of all cons, I must admit!
- Went from having no acne, to fairly terrible acne - second worst side effect!
- Extra sensitive - I am sensitive, but this just REALLY added on to it.

This may be how my body is reacting to this pill and it may be different for you. I am just writing this to warn you that it may do the same to you. At the beginning of the second pack, I started having acne breakouts. I don't usually breakout. And, it may be a side effect that will disappear within time. However, now that I am starting my third pack, the acne has become cystic-like. Quite painful and it is not pleasant to look at. Let me also add, that my libido decreased significantly. It only increases when I'm on the sugar pills, which I find strange, but it makes sense since I am not taking-in horomones from the pill at the time. Isn't it the point to take the pill so you can have sex when you wish? I don't want to get pregnant, but I also do not wish to have my sex drive taken from me. Also, headaches have become frequent. I know everyone has the luxury of having a headache from time to time, however, it is not healthy to have headaches this much. Ever since I started Tri-Cyclen lo, I receive headaches AT LEAST once a day. Sometimes they get pretty bad. I am seeing a doctor for advice about this, because this product may not be right for me. If the doctor believes that it's still safe to continue using this pill, I will remain taking it until my last pack (three more packs left). I will report here for my final recommendation on November 1st, 2010 :) (that will be my fifth month marker) I do not wish for anyone to go through this. If it improves, great, I'll recommend it for the "patient-hearted". If it does not, well, then I'll strongly advise you not to take this product. For now, I warn you to proceed taking this pill with caution. Thank-you, Teresa.
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July 29, 2010

Pros:

Clear skin
Lighter periods
Predictable periods
No cramps
No nausea

Cons:

None

I have been fighting acne breakouts for several years, including breakouts on my back that were out of control. The dermatologist had me on several different treatments with no success. I was considering Accutane when my regular physician suggested I try Ortho Tri Cyclen. As far as I am concerned, this is a miracle pill! My face and back completely cleared up except for a minor pimple or two around my period. I am taking the generic of Ortho Tri Cyclen which is Trinessa.
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July 28, 2010

Pros:

No cramps
Very light period
No bloating
No mood swings
Clears acne

Cons:

None

Ortho tri-cyclen Lo is a great birth control contraceptive I recommend this to anyone who wants to start birth control. It clears up acne and is all around a good product.
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July 26, 2010

Pros:

+Not Pregnant
+Light Bleeding
+No Cramps
+No acne(But i have never had bad acne)

Cons:

+Feel sick to my stomach often
+Mood swings
+Bad breast tenderness

I am kind of stuck on whether i like this birth control or not. I like the no cramps, and light bleeding, but this pill makes me some what sick. I feel sick to my stomach almost everyday, but it could easily be from something different. I am a moody person off the pill anyways, but on it i am a royal pain! Every little thing gets to me, and i get offended easily. The littlest things can make me cry, even if its not sad. Also my breasts are very sore, i cannot tell yet if they are growing or if they are just tender. I will have to wait it out, and see if any of this changes over time. Over all i would recommend it, if you can deal with the mood swings.
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July 23, 2010

Pros:

No cramps ( Had horrible ones before )
Very light bleeding, and only for 2-3 days!

Cons:

Horrible acne. My skin isn't the best anyway, but since I started this pill two months ago, I get painful breakouts every day. It's very frustrating.
Felt sick for the first week, then fine afterwards.

I love this pill.. I love not having cramps and feeling like I'm in labour for three days a month.. I'm going to give it one more month. Hopefully my body will get used to it, because I refuse to walk around with welts on my face every day. *crossing fingers*
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July 13, 2010

Pros:

-Enlarged breasts
-Lighter period
-Hair growth decresed
-Acne clear up
-Little weight gain

Cons:

-First couple of weeks, chest pain occured
-Breasts were a little sore from enlargement
-A little moody the week I was on the "reminder" pills

I take birth control pills for hirtsuism; pcos symptom, and for acne. The pill, since I started a month and a half, has decreased the time that hair grows back, i haven't gotten break outs, but lone pimples here and there, and my breasts have gotten bigger, with maybe a couple of pounds gained from a little increase in appetite. bottom line: so far so good, hasn't caused many side effects other than the stated facts they give you and not much of it.
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July 12, 2010

Pros:

Fuller breasts, predictable periods, lighter periods, less painful cramps. birth control

Cons:

Weight gain, loss of sex drive.

I've been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for a few months now. I'm definitely not as big as a fan of it as I was with Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. Overall, I've gained about 10 pounds in my lower abdomen, hips, love handles and butt. I can certainly feel the increased tightness in my jeans. I used to have a strong sex drive with on Tri-Cyclen Lo, now I find myself shoving my boyfriend away from me at times. Before the pill, my period was highly irregular, it was common for me to have a 16-22 day cycle. My periods now are always 28 days. My cramps before the pill were intense, the doctors had me on 1000 mg of Naproxen every 4hrs for the pain. Now, I don't even need a Midol. It's got its advantages and disadvantages. It all comes down to if the individual is willing to lose some of a sex drive and put on a few pounds that are pretty difficult to come off.
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July 7, 2010

Pros:

Clear skin. Shorter periods.

Cons:

I'm way moodier than usual.

The birth control has done its purpose and more. My only downfall with it is my mood swings. I can go from really happy to really aggravated in about 5 seconds. Some people have talked about a loss in sex drive. Not me. No changes. I still have a high sex drive.
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