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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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April 16, 2013

Pros:

Clear skin within two packs, brighter complexion, no more deep and painful cystic acne breakouts, larger breasts, and no pregnancy. AWESOME.

Cons:

I did get a little bit of an initial breakout from the first pack. I started on the generic on my first pac (Trinessa), then switched to the brand for my second pack and didn't experience any new breakouts outside of a few stray PMS zits. Not sure if the generic had anything to do with it. Brand name OTC is also a little more expensive at $30/month under my insurance. Slight weight gain from an appetite increase but nothing noticeable.

Works like a charm. I was suffering from sudden, horrible cystic breakouts and none of the topicals and antibiotics I was taking helped. My derm put me on OTC and within two months my skin was clearer. I still get some minor PMS breakouts but nothing serious. I just wanted to throw a positive review out there since I've heard so many mixed things about birth control for acne...I'm assuming it's because people don't really ever leave positive reviews. 2 thumbs up!!
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January 19, 2013

Pros:

cleared up my moderate to severe acne within 3-5 months!!! Period improved and was on schedule. NAME BRAND NOT GENERIC!!!

Cons:

mild cramps still but well worth it. skipped one pill and felt VERY nauseous for a two days.

i would recommend!
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November 25, 2012

Pros:

Completely cleared my skin!
No initial breakout (in my case)
No crazy side effects birth control is known to cause

Cons:

Took around 4 months to clear my skin
Won't work for everyone (as every acne product doesn't), but DEFINITELY worth a try!

These pills work amazingly well for ME. After 5 years of having moderate acne with large, painful bumps that left bad scars, I had zero self-confidence. It got so bad that some days I wouldn't go out in public. I was trying every cleanser I could find, going on antibiotic pills and creams, using Differin and Retin-A, trying different birth controls, cutting dairy products out of my diet completely, and going to many other difficult and sometimes extreme measures in order to clear my skin, but nothing worked. But after reading a lot of great reviews about ortho tri-cyclen, I decided I would make one last attempt at clearing my skin. I loved it right away! I barely had any PMS symptoms, and my skin was instantly less oily and every morning when I looked in the mirror I had fewer pimples! For the first few months I still broke out around that lovely time of the month, but I can say after 5 months of using ortho tri-cyclen that my skin is TOTALLY CLEAR! I never thought I would be able to say I don't have acne, but it feels so amazing to be confident going out in public, even without makeup! So, I guess the bottom line is that after much trial and error, I found the cure for MY acne. Everyone's skin reacts differently to treatments, which is why acne is so hard to get rid of. All I do is live a clean lifestyle and take these pills every day, and for MY skin, that's all I need! I drink about a gallon of water every day, ALWAYS wash my face twice a day (using Clean and Clear Continuous Control cleanser), keep bacteria off my face (use clean makeup brushes, sleep on clean pillow cases, etc.), and take these pills every night. It truly is an amazing feeling to have clear skin! If you haven't found what works for you yet, I know exactly how you feel, and I would encourage you to start by drinking a lot of water, keeping your face clean, and living an overall healthy lifestyle. From there, I would definitely recommend trying ortho, just remember to be patient! Good luck :
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October 29, 2012

Pros:

Reduced acne
Increased breast size
Prevents pregnancy

Cons:

Breast soreness
Initial breakout
Slight mood swings during initial phase

I would recommend this for females suffering from hormonal acne. I was on depo provera for about two years and did not experience any negative side affects. About four months ago, I started to experience hormonal and stress-related breakouts (cystic acne around chin, jaw, and temples). I tried different topicals, diet changes, vitamins, etc. I believe that truly hormonal acne can be helped or reduced somewhat, but unfortunately not significantly with these methods. I decided to try Ortho Tri Cyclen after researching the the benefits of estrogen-dominant BC on reducing hormonal acne. I am on my second month of pills. I did experience a moderate breakout after starting the new BC. I don't know if this was a result of stopping Depo Provera or starting Ortho Tri Cyclen. I have seen gradual improvement since. Hopefully, improvement will continue. I have heard that it can take several months for your body to adjust to the hormones. In addition to decreased breakouts, my breast size has increased about half a cup so far. Since I was small to begin with, this is not a problem. However, I am still experiencing some soreness. Overall, the benefits definitely outweigh any minor issues during the first two months. Highly recommend for anyone experiencing hormonal breakouts.
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October 8, 2012

Pros:

**Ortho tricyclen***

Long term -acne clears up, no weight gain, lighter period.

Cons:

Short term- first 4 months yield severe break out, if I take my dose even a few hours late I start spotting, my period consists of clotted blood- gross.

I'm 30. If you can bear the first 4-5 months of breakouts.. Worse than breakouts before starting, it's worth it. At the time, the first few months seemed like it was never going to end. Now, in retrospect, those 4 months of breakouts for continuous flawless skin... It's so worth it. Hang in there and if you're older, like me, take at the same time everyday. I'm happy! Ps I replied moderate acne-- that was before I was on this. Now my acne is so mild.
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August 9, 2012

Pros:

-Completely cleared acne aside from occasional pimple
-Increased breast size

Cons:

-Slight weight gain (not really noticeable, maybe 3 pounds)
-Caused initial breakout that caused slight hyper pigmentation

I first started taking this in December and it is now August, and my skin has improved by so much- I now get the occasional pimple during the first week of each pack but nothing drastic. I wish I had started this sooner! The only issue I would note is that (at least with me) the first pack caused me to break out on the sides of my face (next to my ears basically) and my jawline- not terribly, but I never had pimples here before, and they did leave pigmentation when they went away. It is not terrible and has faded over time, but is still something that I cover with makeup and may eventually have removed.Overall I would say that the benefits definitely outweigh the negatives, my skin is a lot smoother and just overall so much better than it had been in the past! Just be aware of the fact that you may have an initial breakout.
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June 4, 2012

Pros:

No acne
No initial break out (at least for me)
No spotting
Breasts feel fuller

Cons:

Increase in appetite

I LOVE THIS BIRTH CONTROL! I'm 21 years old and never had acne until about a year ago. It got so bad that I didn't want anyone to see me. I got big, red, cystic like acne all over my cheeks and jaw line. I tried so many different birth control pills, which actually isn't good for your body, and nothing worked. The first week after I started Ortho Try-Cyclen my face was so much clearer. I have noticed an increase in my appetite, so far that seems to be the only flaw to it. My insurance doesn't cover most name brand meds so I do have to pay $35.00 every month, but its so worth it. If you have severe acne like I HAD then I recommend you try it because its AWESOME! :)
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April 24, 2012

Pros:

Clear Skin!

Cons:

Takes time to see results
Must remember to take at same time daily
Minimal weight gain

Girls, dont give up on these pills just because it doesnt work right away! It took about 2-3 months for me to see the results. I used to have a lot of cystic acne all over my cheeks that left nasty scars :( im soo glad found Ortho Tri Cyclen.
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March 13, 2012

Pros:

clearer skin no breakouts
increased sex drive

before using ortho tricyclen i had severe cysts..every other day i would wake up to a painful cyst that would eventually bleed and leave scaring on my face...using ortho tricyclen for the first week i noticed less cysts and the ones i had already decreased in size...its been 3 weeks now and i am completely cyst free... i have had no noticeable side affects so far..i love ortho and hope it doesnt stop working..
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March 11, 2012

Pros:

Stopped breakouts! only three zits this month! (compaired to 20)
Breasts grew half a cup size

Cons:

Contraceptive part doesnt work because I also take Minocycline (an antibiotic)
Heavy Spotting

I'm 18 years old, and I would defiantly recommend this to anyone, I actually already have! I had tried EVERYTHING for my acne and my derm wanted to put me on accutain, but I already have super dry skin so I knew that wouldn't be a good idea for me. So I did this as a last hope kind of treatment, and it has worked wonders!!! I am so happy I tried this. I only have two little baby zits, as opposed to 10 all over my chin and mouth area. I'm much more confident and happy! I have noticed no weight gain or mood swings, but I felt super nauseous the next morning after I took it the first time (I take it every day at night before bed) but I have been 1005 fine after that!
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