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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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May 22, 2007

Pros:

NO CRAMPS!!!!

Cons:

Weight gain and bloating

I've been taking OTC lo for about a year and a half. I've had acne the entire time without fail. I have times when it's worse than others but it's always there. I've also gained 40 pounds and am bloated consistently. On the plus side: I'm now able to move without pain during that time of the month.
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May 9, 2007

Pros:

clearer skin
no side effects

Cons:

N/A

OK- here's my story. I never had acne until my senior year of high school and sporactically throughout college (18yrs old and up- I'm now 23). I went to a dermatologist and tried alot of different cures. Not until I started OrthoTriCyclen-Lo and combined it with Praxion-the generic brand of a sulfur based face wash called Plexion- (only problem with the facewash is you can't get it close to your eyes bc it really, really irritates them-otherwise, mention it to your dermo and see if he'll presecribe it-its awesome!) did my face clear up. I loved the regularity of my periods and my clear skin. i could finally leave the house w/o makeup. anyway...recently (2 months ago) my face started breaking out again--i don't know if it is due to the BC just not working like it had for the past year, or because I had stopped buying that face wash and switched to over the counter stuff. Well, I called my Gyno and got them to switch me to regular OTC- I got Trinessa-and refilled my Praxion-hope it works
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May 6, 2007

Pros:

Not pregnant, regular (and lighter) period.

Cons:

Worst acne I've ever had- big tender cysts and all. Cramps not much better.

I started out on a different pill and my doctor switched me to this one saying it wouldn't make me break out; I've now been on it for 2.25 months, and I don't think I think if I haven't improved in another couple weeks I'll just stop taking it. This isn't worth it.
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May 5, 2007

Pros:

cheap, no cramping. Haven't gotten pregnant

Cons:

Have been experiencing breakouts on nose, chin, and forehead...been to dermatologist, tried every acne product known to man...can only connect the breakouts to tri-Nessa.

I am getting off this pill, my skin hasn't been this bad since junior high.
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March 27, 2007

Pros:

No babies, breasts increased one cup size, no mood swings

Cons:

Didn't affect my skin at all (I was hoping for improvement), I still get cramps and bloating as I did without the pill

I used to take OTC and now take OTC Lo. OTC helped my acne; OTC Lo doesn't, which is ok because I'm taking an Clindamycin/Adapalene combo for my face and my skin looks better than it ever did on OTC. I like OTC Lo because it has kept me from becoming pregnant without causing any of the really bad side effects (mood problems, decreased sex drive, headaches) that I've had with previous pills.
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March 23, 2007

Pros:

Helped with acne, shorter periods, I know when my period will start, less cramps

Cons:

weight gain, a couple times Ive fealt quease afterward, mood swings

When I first got on the pill 4 years ago my periods were irregular, skipping months have two in a few weeks time, lasting anywhere from 3-14 days! My cramps would have me doubled over in pain crying, I couldnt take it so I got on the pill. Within the first month things were much better, and since I've been on it my period starts on the exact same day and lasts 6 days, my cramps are minimal and usually goes away with asprin.
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March 10, 2007

Pros:

Cleared my acne for awhile, made my period regular

Cons:

My acne is bad again! ugh!

I don't get it? For a LONG time my birth control helped my acne A LOT! My skin went from being bad to almost perfect..and now my skin is horrible again. I've been on the pill for over 4 years. I don't understand why it helped it so much and then backfired on me? Does it quit helping acne after a certain time of taking it or what?
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March 7, 2007

Pros:

Love the fact that I know when my period will be. I tolerate the pill well and have been on it now for 2 years+.

Cons:

I gained weight, although I also gained bigger boobs...which is ok with me! I don't notice a big change in it helping with my acne.

Great birth control pill, easily tolerated with mild to no side effects. Possible to gain weight and doesn't seem to control acne the way promised.
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March 2, 2007

Pros:

clear skin, regulates period

Cons:

mild weight gain

I took ortho tri-cyclen for about six months last year. One month, my pharmacy gave me the generic brand trinessa without informing me. I started taking trinessa, broke out horribly, and had terrible mood swings. For all of you who are saying your skin is breaking out please realize that the generic versions of OTC are NOT THE SAME as the name brand. The name brand may be mpre expensive, but it is worth it. I am now on Ovcon 35, I was happy with it at first, but it has not done anything for my skin, and is causing mild breakouts, Im going to start OTC again next week.
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February 21, 2007

Pros:

Clears skin up almost perfectly, added benefit of birth control if you need it =)

Cons:

Tri-phasic pills like OTC MUST be taken at the same time everyday in order to work for acne, because for perfect skin hormones have to be perfect, and taking the pill sporatically at different times during the day can really mess with your hormones..

So i noticed with OTC, which i have been on for a couple months, that if I miss pills or don't take them at the same time every day, i break out like mad all over my chin and mouth. But, if i take them very diligently, my skin clears up and is perfect...just a tip. For some reason my skin is really sensitive to my birth control. I dont know though maybe this is just for some types of acne like the "hormonal" acne around the chin and mouth...but for other types of acne i would just eat lots of apples drink water tea and take flaxseed oil and your should be fine!!=)
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