Acne.org Products
Hormonal Therapy
Efficacy
63%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Note: Improvement significantly increases after 24 weeks.
Hormonal Therapy
Acne.org’s Real World Take
Any brand of oral contraceptive appears to clear the skin about the same amount, regardless of whether it is officially approved for acne treatment. Some people report complete clearing of acne symptoms and others see partial relief. However, artificially controlling your hormones is a serious decision, so it’s best to proceed with caution.
Hormonal Therapy
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
November 11, 2010
Cons:
-a ton of weight gain (130-145 lbs in 2 years), already lost at least 5 since i went off it 2 months ago
-acne is coming back almost as bad and i'm 18
-worse cramps during + before periods than before
-period more irregular, and missed periods
i didn't get pregnant, but this might not have been the right BC for me. i'm off it for the first time in 2 years and i've already lost a fair amount of weight without changing ANY diet or exercising habits. also, the acne is terrible and it came right back. it was free through my local community clinic.
January 2, 2010
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Gets rid of acne after three months, shorter periods, birth control, weight control
Cons:
After I decided to get off Yaz, my acne came back 100 times worse and was put on Accutane
At first you don't really see a difference other than mood swings and loss of sex drive. After about 2 and a half or three months though, my skin cleared up DRAMATICALLY. I never broke out anymore and my skin was perfect. I wanted to get off of it though cause I think birth control is kind of a pain in the ass. Little did I know about 2 months after getting off of Yaz my acne would come ROARING back 100 times worse than its ever been. Huge cysts everywhere constantly. Now I have been put on Accutane which I really didn't want to do but it's working just fine. If you are using Yaz to control Acne, be prepared for the possibility of even worse acne once you get off of it!
November 7, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Did not make me break out at all. Clearer skin within 6 weeks, and keeps improving (:
Have not experienced any side effects really.
It was nice also to chose when i wanted my period (withdrawel bleeding) so many benefits i love it
Cons:
none. Actually it was a bit expensive but its for a course of 3 months
Improves acne! thats all i need it to do but it does more (:
ive been using it for just over a month and its started to make a good difference now
March 30, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
light period, no cramps, clearer skin
Cons:
less sex, hard time lossing weight
like every pill there is chemicals going through your body.i stopped using the pill for 2 months and my face is worse then ever, my hair and face are greasy.I have heavier bleeding and horrible cramps.I was on it for 5 months and im going back to the doctors to get a perscription.my insurance covers the cost.
November 3, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
YASMIN- skin clear, no weight gain, loved my mood. and hardly any cramps and like 3 or 4 day periods
Cons:
YASMIN- expensive. Took OCELLA because its cheper....hate hate it, my skin was horrible, my boobs killed me ( thought I was pregnant) cant stop eating and weight gain of course
Def. going bact to yasmin. my pharmacy said they were the same thing...no way! I can deal with the extra expense.
July 21, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
bigger boobs, no cramps, prevents pregnancy, A little less acne, cost
Cons:
none that i have noticed so far
Im using the generic kind which I got for 10 dollars on insurance so worth it now. I only have acne really on my forehead and now its slowly going away. I drink lots of water and take vitamin b daily to prevent side effects. Its been going great for me no spotting at all
May 11, 2008
Pros:
knowing i won't get pregnant
Cons:
you have to remember to take it at the same time daily, (some have to do it hiding it from your parents) AND it stopped my periods alltogether
I have been on the pill for 4 years. First it seemed to do some good, but after a few months my body got used to it and all the acne came back. I still stayed on the pill for contraception, but i stopped taking it after 4 years. That was over 3 years ago,and i still dont have a period. I have been to several doctors, all of them giving me pills to start ovulating again, but thats just even more hormones. I would never, never ever even consider taking them again. Maybe my period will never come back and i won;t be able to have children
March 13, 2008
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
The only thing that cleared my face
Cons:
Can uset my stomach if i don't take it regularly.
The only thing that has worked for me. I have heard some great and some terrible reviews, but after years of struggling and months of battling the worst break outs of my life right before my wedding, it was a life saver. My hormones must have been out of control because YAZ regulated me in all ways-period, acne, moods, breast size, etc. I know every one can react differently but it is the best thing i could have done for my skin
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!
June 22, 2007
Pros:
No bad side effects.... Switched over to it from Diane which was good for my skin, but lowered my sex drive...was nice to have it returned to normal.
Cons:
Didn't work for the acne on my back and chest...gradually worsened over time until finally, i was getting so many painful cysts on my back i decided i had to go off it.
Personally, wouldn't bother with it again myself. Would rather go back on Diane and have lowered sex drive but not feel so rotten about my skin...that lowered my sex drive even more because i felt so self-conscious! Trying out Yasmin now, which is supposed to have similar results to Diane but fewer side effects, so hopefully, that'll work even better!
Pros:
-never got pregnant
-acne cleared up amazingly
-less mood swings