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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3.5
1015
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5
22.7%
4
34.3%
3
21.2%
2
13.1%
1
8.8%

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August 21, 2009

Pros:

Stops pregnancy, clear skin

Cons:

Started a smell "down there" after periods

I took OTC Lo when i was in High School with no side effects, i stopped taking them and i had my son. When i started them again, I noticed that i was getting a bad oder after my periods...i guess when I had to take the pills with the highest dose of estorgen it really was bad. I have since stopped taking them and it went away.. i am now searching for another birth control, was thinking about Yaz, but i haven't heard many good reviews for that..needles to say i have an appt. with my doctor this week!!
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August 18, 2009

Pros:

Well I started using it 2 days ago because I have mild acne and they say its really good for acne, but ill see how it works...

Cons:

The first night I took it it gave me a headache.

Any birthcontrol is good to take because it helps you have regular periods and less cramps so I will keep using this product.
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August 13, 2009

Pros:

bigger boobs, no babies, no more extreme cramps, less acne, and not as moody.

I would deffs recommend this product if you suffer from bad cramps and mild acne and (in my case) want bigger boobs!
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August 12, 2009

Pros:

Ligher periods hardley any cramping I'm getting a little of zits here and there but I think my body has to get used to it

Cons:

Makes me very sleepy

Use it its better than all the other products out there.
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August 11, 2009

Pros:

No babies, bigger boobs, controls my acne quite well even when I'm not using acne products, no side effects =]

I love it
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August 8, 2009

Pros:

Finally having periods.

Cons:

SEVERE change in mood and thoughts.Headaches, nausea, acne in weird places, and increased appetite.

I can't have periods on my own so my gyno put me on OTC. I have been on this for 2 months now and I feel like I am having a complete mental breakdown. I stay depressed, tired and angry. These side effects have caused a major problem between my fiance and I. I am not normally like this at all. I absolutely hate this stuff!!! I do not recommend taking this if you have any depression symptoms beforehand.
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July 28, 2009

Pros:

slight breast growth

Cons:

mood swings

when i first started taking ortho tri cyclen, i had pretty bad mood swings. id get a bump on my face and burst into tears because i thought i was gona develop acne from the hormones in the pill. those subsided after a month or so of just getting used to the pill and everythings been completely fine. i dont really react all that much to anything as far as side effects, so it hasnt really given me any. id say its effective in not having babies thus far but usually im quite careful about that anyways, so i suppose we'll see :P
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July 27, 2009

Pros:

Clears about 65% of painfull acne, no mood swings

Cons:

Sore breasts, a little weight gain (again based on how much u eat), heart racing, hot flashes

I tried this product when I had moderate acne at the age of 18 and it cleared up my face somewhat, but every time i would start a new pill I would usually have to spend a day at home, because of worse cramps ever. It stoped in 3 months, I stop taking them just to see how my body would react and I got very bad breakouts. Switched to Allesse for a year, I absolutely hate it, makes me break out crazy and not only on the face, gain about 5 pounds, but no big deal. I weight 125 lbs now and I think its perfectly healthy weight for a 23 year old. I am switching back to Tri cyclen Lo, it should deffinately help with the oil production and hot flashes. Mood swings were always a part of my day so i didnt really notice anything different in that area, and if I do I usually just cry it out and the wash my face off or take a nice long bubble bath and its all good again :))
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July 26, 2009

Pros:

Took is for 2/1/2 years and had no problems. It helped lessen my cramps.

Cons:

Starting taking it again after not using any birthcontrol for 2 years( was pregnant, breastfeeding, etc.) and I have been super moody and depressed. Although, It's only been a week, so I will give it a chance.

Loved it the first time I took it and hoping it will be ok again once my body gets more in the system.
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July 24, 2009

Pros:

Just had my first period. I usually have very bad heavy cramping. I just started my period and the cramps started off bad where I had to take medicine, but I only had to take it once and no cramping for now.

Cons:

Made acne worse, bumps everywhere on my face, chin and neck

I've never been on any form of birth control (im 31), therefore, my doctor first tried me on the ortho tricyclen lo. I have taken it for a full month now; however, it has made my acne worse within a month. I get these hard bumps that are under the skin on my face. Two may come up the same time and when they go down, I get more that appear in different areas. They just come back to back and then leave these awufl black marks on my face and neck. What a way to try something for the first time and it is already turning out horrible!
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