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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Charlie

August 21, 2007

Pros:

clearer skin, no side effects, lighter and shorter periods

Cons:

pricey

it just works. no weight gain, if anything, i lost weight. there are theories on why women gain weight on birth control, but i don't know if any of them are really true. i would recommend OTC-Lo, there are no side effects, you get clearer skin ( i don't have to use any concealor or powder after years of struggling with acne), and my periods last 4 days. it's a little pricey though, it used to be $10 with student insurance, but now it's going to be $28. so i'll have to find a generic brand.

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24 with acne

August 20, 2007

Pros:

prevents pregnancy increased my libido

Cons:

caused acne 2 weeks out the month

I started on OTC-lo after a year of breastfeeding. While breastfeeding I was on Ortho's generic progestine (sp?) only pill then switched pharmacies...which had a different generic which caused me to break out for 4-6 weeks and gave me moodswings and reduced my libido to ziltch. Went back on namebrand...broke out 4-6 weeks but was fine otherwise. Stopped breastfeading got back on "regular" bc...OTC-lo...HUGE mistake...it caused one of the worst breakouts of my life. I'm talking huge cysts! Stuck with that about 2.5 months and got on OTC. The first week almost cleared up completely. Then broke out again( I guess b/c of the increasing projestine)minus the cysts. I've been taking Orthocept for about 4 days now after being off OTC for 5 and have had NO new bumps. Libido is lower but feel so much better I want it more!I took Mircette as a teen which worked but I wanted a higher estrogen level initially to stop the oil and clear me up. I will try and switch back after my skin heals though.

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Kendal

August 18, 2007

Pros:

Prevents pregnancy, regulates monthly cycle, somewhat clears skin

Cons:

Can cause nausea, mood swings, and doesn't full clear skin

My skin was pretty horrific when I first started taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. I was told the Lo or the standard Ortho Tri-Cyclen wouldn't make a difference in terms of acene improvement. I had a face full of probably hundreds of tiny red pimples as well as normal sized whiteheads. Now, it DID clear up the tiny red pimples but I still have normal-sized blemishes. In the beginning it also makes you very moody/nauseous while your body is getting used to the hormones. I get nauseous the following morning if I don't take it the same time every day. I would say overall, it works well for what it is and is inexpensive.

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Beth

July 28, 2007

Pros:

Lighter and very predictable periods

Cons:

weight gain, bigger breasts

I am beyond frustration with OTC lo because I have gained probably about 5 pounds and I have been on the pill for about four months. I work out for an hour a day and haven't skipped a day since December. I eat right and have been a size 4 since I can remember. Do you know how frustrating it is to have your clothes fit tighter after taking such good care of yourself!? However, being able to have sex and how worry about getting pregnant is great.

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nikki

July 14, 2007

Pros:

Ortho has been good to me in the past

Cons:

Don't use the generic version (TriNessa)! Gave me a weird breakout...

I decided a couple months ago to switch from Yasmin back to Ortho for one reason or another. When I had picked up my Rx from the pharmacy I realized they had given me the generic version, TriNessa. I decided to give it a try and it was the worst decision of my life. I ended up breaking out and couldn't figure out why since I hadn't done anything differently from my usual regime. I then realized that I was on TriNessa and had been for the month that my breakout began and quickly worsened. The next month I decided to ask my pharmacist to give me Ortho and not the generic. I've been back on Ortho for a couple weeks now and my face seems to be clearing up slowly. The other weird thing is that the acne caused by TriNessa (or I believe it was cause by it) are different from any other acne breakouts I've had in the past. They are tiny bumps concentrated on my forehead, nose, and cheeks. Considering seeing a dermatologist...

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Layla Brown

July 14, 2007

Pros:

It's free at planned parenthood. I haven't broken out at all or had horrible mood swings. Nor have I had spotting. No breakouts and no weight gain. No loss of libido (thank goodness)!

Cons:

Some tenderness in breasts. Mild crankiness for first couple days.

I was very worried since I have anxiety and because my weight fluctuates at a drop of a coin. I have maybe gained a pound or so but I've been eating horribly and not exercising at all (which I regularly do), so that pretty much accounts for that. In fact, I'm surprised I haven't gained more so maybe it's even helping me maintain my weight. I was only mildy cranky and my breasts were tender the first two days, but not depressed by any means. I haven't broke out at all. But then again, it's only been a month. Hopefully, my luck continues!

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Kristen

June 18, 2007

Pros:

Regular and lighter periods, protection against pregnancy, minor weight loss

Cons:

Minor stomach discomfort, anxiety?

I've been using Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for about 3 1/2 months now. The first month I had some spotting. I seem to have lost some weight (I am attributing this to the pill, because I have not changed my diet/exercise). My periods are regular and so light, but I don't think my cramps have significantly decreased. I also feel that I have become more anxious. However, I would still suggest this pill to anyone.

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robin

June 11, 2007

Pros:

clears skin, take the edge of cramps, short period

Cons:

developed cystic acne after stopping, mild weigh gain

I've had nearly perfect, porcelain skin for as long as I can remember. I started taking OTC when I was 19 years old which only made things better - less cramping, not one pimple. stopped taking it when I was 24 and began to break out into 2 or 3 horrible deep cysts on my chin and/or left cheek and they took months to clear. Wound up with some scarring and some clogged pores that took years to purge themselves. I went back on it after 6 months and finally the cysts stopped coming about 4 or 5 months later. Now I'm 27 and I stopped taking the pill again for only 12 days and I have another cyst. Hopefully I can go right back on it and this will be the only one I get... but even one is a painful, embarrassing nightmare to deal with. Take the pill, but pay attention to your skin if you stop... you might need to take it forever!!!

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Rachel Leet

May 31, 2007

Pros:

breast growth, clearer skin, and weight loss

Cons:

nausea, occasional light-headedness, mood swings

i've always had a problem with heavy periods since i inherited the flow from my mom, and having to wear two tampons at once isn't very comfortable and the subconsious feeling is terrible during school. so my periods have been lighter since i started taking ortho tri-cyclen and my skin looks noticably clearer and brighter. another plus is my breasts have grown noticably within 2 months from a C to a D

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Carissa

May 26, 2007

Pros:

protection from pregnancy, lighter periods

Cons:

mild skin problems, more emotional, still have cramps.

I've been on Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo for 8 months. After the first couple of months of having some of the expected side effects which went away, i found this drug to cause extreme emotions, almost in a bi -polar way. I still have cramps, get tired and my period sort of has regulated...my flawless skin became somewhat irrated from the BC. More importantly, i feel that my hormones increased in a negative way that has cause problems in my relationship. I am about to try Yasmin with better hopes. If that affects me negativly, I am discontinuing the pill all together.

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