Oral Contraceptives
Read All About Oral Contraceptives
Compare To Other Treatments
5
22.7%
4
34.3%
3
21.2%
2
13.1%
1
8.8%

Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
October 28, 2009

Pros:

I have been taking Ortho-tri cyclen For one month now. Im not pregnant I suppose thats always a good thing.

Cons:

My skin has freaked out but not just on my face its on my arms and back now. Im going to give it a while to see if it improves any.

Birth control and acne are nowhere related issues. If your not pregnant it is doing its number one job.
October 28, 2009

Pros:

none

Cons:

heavier bleeding, worse cramps, thinner hair, facial hair growth, dryness during sex, moody

I have nothing good to say about this birth control! If it works for the rest of you good for you but it was a total disappointment for me!
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October 28, 2009

Pros:

Less acne, bigger boobs, no spotting, extremely horny (which is not a bad thing to me...), free from Planned Parenthood in CA.

Cons:

Can't skip period, super tired and emotional during beginning of pack, boobs slightly sore, I'm a bit bloated most of the time

I don't have any drastic side affects, it's doing more good than bad, and it's birth control, which I need.
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October 25, 2009

Pros:

i am at the end of my second month but i really havn't been sexually active so I'm not sure about how effective it is

Cons:

I was hoping for a bc that would help clear up my acne. It has made it much worse. I know it takes a while for the body to adjust but i am very unhappy with how bad my skin has been for two months

my skin freaked out, nausea, increased appitite, bad headaches (never got headache before)
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October 23, 2009

Pros:

my boobs r huge

Cons:

iam bloated, the first week i was emotinal. and my face broke out into a rash.

its been awhile since i have been on the pill. so im giving my body sometime to adjust. i just starte dback last week. i have had one minor breakdown, huge boobs which is a plus. but my face and neck have a itchy rash. im hoping this goes away in the next couple of days. all and all im may just get the minera.
October 16, 2009

Pros:

No more babies, knowing when I'm going to start my period, No more spotting for a week before, boobs got bigger..

Cons:

Did not clear my acne up. I've been using it for 1-1/2 months so I'm hoping it will help. The first month I was super tired, and my boobs hurt like crazy. That went away after the first pack.

I'm still using it because I need a form of Birth control. But it did not help my acne at all :( Boo
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October 9, 2009

Pros:

My acne COMPLETELY cleared up. I could even eat foods that in my past have made me break out.

Cons:

Most days I wanted to throw up, and on the other days I actually did throw up.

The clear skin wasn't worth the sick feeling.
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October 8, 2009

Pros:

I started using ORTHO TRI CYCLEN my sophmore year of high school, to help with acne. I never had any problems with the pill whatsoever, no cramps, acne got better, no nausea, etc.

Cons:

A little bit of bleeding between periods, very light, and eventually went away after longer use.

I would recommend, the pill doesn't increase psychological problems, if you already have thoughts of particular troubling things in life, it's not the pill that increases these thoughts.
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October 3, 2009

Pros:

I had a boy, I love him so much. Im loving my life. Husband and I were shocked at first.

Cons:

Didn't work for me got pregnant.

Gonna try again
October 1, 2009

Pros:

it hasnt made me gain wait and my skin is getting better not prego yet so thats good

Cons:

i havent been on the pill for too long but it has had some bad side effects on me... it makes me super moody...
i cry for no reason.. get ticked off about pretty much everything and get deppressed very easily... some nausea but not alot..

its not worth it... when you cry almost every 3 days and spend most of ur time in a confused and blaah mood.!
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.