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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4
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3
21.1%
2
14%
1
9.5%

Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

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July 29, 2011

Pros:

Cleared my face completely!
Regular period

Cons:

Some nauseousness at the beginning of each packet
Have to remember to take it everyday

I have suffered from acne since the age of 11 and over the years it got worst and worst. A few years ago I finally began to clear up and back then I thought it was Proactive that had done it for me. I didn't realize that at the time I was also on birth control and didn't connect the two together. A couple of years ago I stopped taking it because I no longer needed since I didn't have to worry about getting pregnant anymore. SO within a year and half after I had stopped taking the birth control, I noticed I started getting a few pimples here and there and then it really got bad. So bad that my face literally hurt :( At that time I came across this website and tried Dan's regiment and with the high amounts of acne treatment it was making my face worst! I followed it to the T and it just didn't work. I had read before on other message boards about acne being a hormonal problem more than a skin issue. That's when I connected the two together. I have NEVER written a review about anything but I am so happy I finally figured the cause of acne and what worked for me that I want others to know and hope it also works for you. There was another message forum on another website that someone always keept posting how acne is a hormonal issue and kept insisting to see some sort of a specialized hormonal Dr to check for any irregularities. I always thought they were just trying to advertise their product. But they never did recommend any particular product. Now I am a proof of that theory. It took a good three months for my acne to start clearing up and now 5 months later I am completely acne free. I think I might have a little one trying to come out now but other than that I am clear. Now I just have to deal with all the ugly scaring of years of my severe acne :( I know a lot of people have really bad side effects but I would recommend you try different brands. I tried a couple before I felt comfortable with this one and I even just use their generic brand.
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April 8, 2011

Pros:

Clears acne
Regular, predictable periods

Cons:

Can get a bit expensive for name brand, depending on your insurance, but it's worth it!!

I've been taking Orthotricyclen (off and on) since I was about 17 years old. I'm 30 now and it's the ONLY BC that I will take. I love it! I'm not sure where all of the negative reviews are coming from, but everyone's body is different. I will add that Orthotricyclen is NOT a generic brand and I have never known it to cost any LESS than $20 (copayment) for a 30 day supply. So those of you who claim to have received Orthotricyclen at $10 and even FREE?? You may want to double-check and make sure that you have not received the GENERIC version of Orthotricyclen which is called TRI-SPRINTEC or something of that nature. I usually have moderate acne, but when I'm on Orthotricyclen, my skin clears up wonderfully. Whenever I go off of it, my skin will stay pretty clear for about 8-12 months and then my acne will start to come back, until I start the pill again. My periods are always very regular with this pill. My period usually lasts for 5-7 days when I'm not on the pill, and there's no change in my period length when I'm on it. I also love that I can tell exactly when my period will start by where I am with the pills. By the time I take the last "active pill", my period is there with in 24 hours. All in all, I love this pill. It sucks that it's getting a bad rap, because it really does clear my acne up better than anything else that I have ever tried. But like I said, everyone's body is different. Just please be sure that it is actually Orthotricyclen that you are having issues with and not the generic brand.
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April 7, 2011

Pros:

Boobs increased in size about 1/2 of a cup. lighter, shorter periods, less cramping

Cons:

Brief depression headaches, and stomach aches while adjusting to pill, weight gain,

I used to have 8-12 day periods that were heavy, and extremely painful but now on BC they're about 4 days, light, and rarely do I have cramps. AKA: I'm in love. There was no improvement in my acne due to the pill. I have no idea if it works as a contraception. I also have an increased appetite. I gained about 5 lbs. I don't usually gain weight in my breasts though, so i think the pill made my boobs bigger especially.
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July 7, 2010

Pros:

Clear skin. Shorter periods.

Cons:

I'm way moodier than usual.

The birth control has done its purpose and more. My only downfall with it is my mood swings. I can go from really happy to really aggravated in about 5 seconds. Some people have talked about a loss in sex drive. Not me. No changes. I still have a high sex drive.
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June 1, 2010

Pros:

No cycts anymore. Ever
No nausea
No weight gain (actually lost weight)
Not pregnant!!!

Cons:

Took 2 full cycles to reap benefits
still get the occasional non inflamatory acne. its rare though.

I previously wrote here with a bad review, didnt realize it takes TIME to regulate hormones and balance out. Now I only get the occasional breakout and its minor. No more flare ups the week before my period. I'm also now taking Bactrim and using Epiduo. So far so good. And most importantly, I'm not pregnant!
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August 24, 2010

Pros:

- cleared moderate acne on arms and back
- balanced hormones
- eased cramps and period flow
- no loss in sex drive
- not pregnant! (best pro)
- no weight gain, nausea or headaches

Cons:

thankfully, no bad side effects I can detect so far
slight moodiness/sensitivity during first month when i started the 3rd week (with the highest dose of hormones)
some spotting during first 2 months

i've been taking OTC for about 6 months now and i'm so happy with it! my friend had a really REALLY bad experience with a different kind of pill before so i was anxious. i was also worried about breaking out or gaining weight but there were no issues. my acne on my arms and upper back went from moderate to very light. i noticed my appetite was a little less during the first month but that went back to normal. during the first couple months, my period came a week early and lasted several days but since then, it starts during the fourth week like it should. my period is a lot lighter than it used to be and shorter, 4 days instead of 7-8. my boobs didn't get larger noticably (i'm a d-cup already so i'm glad!). my sex drive is the same, i'm still jumping my boyfriend's bones every chance i get! i'm really happy with OTC and hopefully all continues well.
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February 24, 2010

Pros:

-no side effects AT ALL
-prevents pregnancy
-larger breasts

Cons:

-skin is neutral: neither worse or better (this isn't really a con, its so-so)

Before I went on the pill, I read the review just before mine. I was scared sh*tless because of the terrible reviews and then I read that review, made me feel better. So i went on it, surprising absolutely NO SIDE EFFECTS what so ever, which is a good thing. However there aren't any benefits that I wanted. Overall I'd say this is a SAFE PILL to go on if you don't want to experience side effects.
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August 10, 2010

Pros:

Lighter and much shorter period
More predictable periods
No spotting

Cons:

Loss of sex drive
Extreme mood swings
Nausea

The bottom line is I love this pill, I feel like it is the best thing that has happen to me minus the loss of sex drive! During my first month on this pill I felt down and depressed all the time and was sick to my stomach every day. When I started on the second month I couldn't have been better. Unlike when I was on Depo Provera and Seasonique I have no spotting or break through bleeding. My periods are way lighter and shorter than they have ever been in my life. I give this product an A+!
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January 29, 2010

Pros:

bigger boobs, no kids, no weight gain

Cons:

not helping with acne, which is mainly why I choose this birth control

I posted about a month ago, giving this a 5 rating, because the first month my acne was really subsiding. But a little after I posted my review my acne started to creep up on me again. I fringin jinxed myself! anyway, I'm still on the pill because beside the face not clearing, it serves its purpose. But I've decided to use Dan's regime on acne.org to fix my acne. Maybe the pill would have worked if I waited til the third month was completely over, but I just couldn't wait it out. Hope this review helps.
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November 19, 2010

Pros:

Clearer skin!!!
everything under the sun

Cons:

Nausea

Ok so I am 22 and I have had moderately severe acne since I was 12. Ten Years ew sick!! I have tried everything proactiv, murad. every otc product, natural remedies, ocm, retin a, doxy, benzoyl, yaz. etc... my doc just put me on OTC a week ago along with minocycline 100mg twice a day (200mg total) and my skin is already better. BC usually gives you an intitial breakout but the antibiotics have stopped that. my face, chest and back are clearing up beautifully. my face was an oil slick an hour after i would wash and yes i use moisturizer. Since OTC i have normal skin. I havent experienced any weight gain, big boobs, or mood swings but the first couple pills made me really nauseas even if i ate them with food.
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