Oral Contraceptives
Results
Side Effects

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.

 [more]
3.4
1199
Read All About Oral Contraceptives
Compare To Other Treatments
5
22.3%
4
33.2%
3
21.1%
2
14%
1
9.5%

Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
December 15, 2006
Just Last week I started on Ortho Lo to help clear up my Acne. After the first month when i get adjusted to the pill I'll switch to Regular Ortho. Is that a good Idea? Is Ortho Lo and Ortho Regular basically the same thing just a bit less hormones?? I'm so confused and don't know if I'm doing the right thing! advice please!
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
December 10, 2016
The most low-risk option
After seeing my dermatologist in Nashville, she continuously recommended Ortho-Tricyclen over other options because it's really the most low-risk option. This is useful to learn more: [link edited out]
This Was Helpful

3 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 3, 2014
Confused
I give this bcp a 3 star rating because before taking this pill, I had brutal period cramps and irregular cycle. Now i have a regular cycle and very minimal cramps. Now speaking skin wise. I am now on my fifth month. My first month, my skin was the same: moderate acne, clogged pores, a zit here and there nothing severe. At the end of the second pack and beginning of thethird, bad things started happening. My skin would leave horrible red marks when zits would leave. I still to this day 2-3 months later still have these marks and they are exceptionally visible. I broke out horribly. The hyper pigmentation was everywhere. Now, it has died down but I have red marks from zits that left my face more than 3 months ago. This never used to happen before I was on these pills. They will not fade. I don`t know whether to continue taking the pills or stop.
This Was Helpful

3 user(s) found this helpful

Report
November 19, 2013
It made me crazy!
It made me sick! Made me crazy I would go frm extremely happy to extremely sad in less than a sec !
This Was Helpful

3 user(s) found this helpful

Report
November 13, 2013
works okay

Pros:

helps with acne and oily skin
birth control
helps with monthly cycle

Cons:

water weight
mood swings
change in vaginal ph

i am taking this pill for the soul purpose of clearing my acne and my oily skin. the birth control is just a bonus. im thinking of switching to the lo version in jan as i feel the regular is a bit much for me. i dont get nauseous because i take it one hour after lunch (1pm) i find that taking it in the morning or at nigh before bed causes morning sickness. i might be crazy but it actually curbs my appetite, makes me feel sick if i eat too much. i lost 20 lbs while ive been on it. i swell up in my tummy and my right knew due to water weight, i just take a diuretic for a few days and dink tons of water. i do have these anger spells where i get so mad i want to fight but im not sure if i can blame that on the pill. it does kill my sex drive and im always horny or at least i was before i was on it and i think its causing a vaginal odor. never had a smell before at all but lately i have been smelling a sort of smell. i cant really describe it, it doesnt stink but it doesnt smell good either. hopefully when i switch to the lo these few minor problems will cease
This Was Helpful

3 user(s) found this helpful

Report
November 6, 2013
This might have helped my acne.

Pros:

acne improved after stopping

Cons:

made me CRAZY

I decided to go on Ortho-Tricyclen to help with my horrible cystic acne. I had been pregnant and wasn't able to try any birth control and had used creams and had been on antibiotics at one point. I went to the local women's clinic and they prescribed it to me. Not long after I started, almost instantly, I began to get VERY bad panic attacks. It really brought out the crazy in me! I've never felt so out of control mentally in my life. It was REALLY bad. After completing 1 week and 1 day of medication, I decided to quit after I ended up in the ER because of a panic attack (I do have some anxiety issues as it is, but this pill REALLY amplified them.). After going off I began to gradually see improvement in my skin. I did switch my face routine to cetaphil face wash (used with the oil of olay facial brush) and moisturizer, but I honestly think the pill had a lot to do with it, because I had cystic acne that was very deep and below the skin and often never came to a head, so no creams or washes could really penetrate that far down. It's November and I've been almost completely clear since the end of September. I have had a few pop up here and there, but only two or three and they were because I was lazy and didn't wash off my makeup and they were REGULAR, not cystic. I'm guessing the week that I spent on Ortho-Tricyclen perhaps made my hormones balance themselves out? I'm hoping my clear skin continues. I'll give it a four because it did seem to work and I really can't figure out what else it could have been, and it might be worth a try, but I have to at least take a star away because it really did make me feel horrible.
This Was Helpful

3 user(s) found this helpful

Report
January 26, 2013

Pros:

- VERY effective birth control
- no significant weight gain
- never have cramps or irregularity

Cons:

- seemingly no correlation to my acne
- artificial hormones in my system

Most of the time I have one or 2 pimples on my face which I can tolerate. However this past year I have had a chronic breakout all over my face, chest, and back, trying every routine & topical product available. I have been taking Tri-Cyclen for 12 years so I don't think it's to blame unless it combined with my young-adult hormone shift to produce chaos. Am switching to Diane 35 to give it a try (lower pregnancy protection but apparently stronger against acne).
This Was Helpful

3 user(s) found this helpful

Report
December 19, 2012

Pros:

- less acne overall, get a few now and some tiny ones that nobody sees anyway
- chest, arms and back are now clear
- body changes. this can be a pro or con, but my waist went from 27 inches to 26, my hips from 36.5 to 41 inches, and my breasts from 34A to 34B.
- no babies, 2 birds with one stone

Cons:

- the acne i do get is cystic and painful, i'll have 1-2 small or large cysts on my face at a time
- recently started getting small bumps on my forehead, never had this problem before, i ahve bangs that cover it, but still
- tiredness and exhaustion

I am an 19 year old girl and had acne since I was 12. I had tried antibiotics, over the counter, and prescription creams, so my doctor recommended OTC. I used it for 4 months. Just finished my fourth pack, and do not plan to continue. I did experience a small initial breakout, but that calmed down within a month. My face isn't cluttered with zits so that's good, and i'd get cysts anyway. However, it did not remove as much as i'd like, and i still struggle. My doctor gave me a prescription for Diane-35, which has a higher amount of female hormone and blocks male hormones too. If you're going to switch up birth controls, look for one that has a higher amount of hormones, a lower amount will most likely cause a terrible initial breakout and other bad side effects. It works for a lot of people though, so give it a shot.
This Was Helpful

3 user(s) found this helpful

Report
April 25, 2012

Pros:

* bigger breasts
* clearer skin
*predictable periods
* mild cramps

Cons:

Bad initial breakout first 2-3months

Weight gain/ increased appetite

This is my second time on this birth control. First time I took it was bc I had broken out soo bad from coming off the depo shot... not knowing that my body went haywire due to the shot.. so my doctor agreed to put me back on bc but this time in orthotricylen for skin benefits. I didn't experience an initial breakout bc my acne was already severe from coming off the shot.. so into my 5th month is when I started seeing results.. I stopped the medication the begining if month 6 of last year 2011 Soo... my skin stayed clear for 2 months so I was thinking maybe I won't breakout anymore... I was soo wrong I started getting nodules on my jawline and pustules so I finally decided to get back on ortho and experience a bad initial breakout covering entire jawline and chin area, then moved up to my cheeks, at this point I was regretting stopping in the first place I couldn't even see my current bf at the time bc it was that bad! But I stuck it through bc I knew I would eventually clear up! It just takes time and patience.. now I have some sits but not like it use to be.. so if you are willing to give this bc a try give it 3-5 months.. i am on month 6 and I'm finally starting to feel confident again!! :) GOOD LUCK GALS! :)
This Was Helpful

3 user(s) found this helpful

Report
February 16, 2012

Pros:

Helps with periods
Acne has cleared
Prevents Pregnancy

Cons:

Migraines
Nausea & Abdominal Cramping

I went on this pill hoping for regular periods & less acne, and it's done a great job for that. However, since I started the pill, I have been having a couple of bad headaches here and there, and nausea with cramping. I guess when it comes to the hormones, it differs to the individual. I don't have a problem with remember when to take it, I usually take it in the evening after dinner.
This Was Helpful

3 user(s) found this helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 27 28 29 30 31 … 81
Next

Relevant Article(s):

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.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

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.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website