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%

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February 22, 2008

Pros:

no pregnancy

Cons:

I've been on my period for two weeks or more each both months and cramps throughout each period. Fatigue. Pretty irritating.

i've only been on for two months the Lo kind for two months now so i'm not sure what it's going to do later on. It was sorda cheap. I got it from planned parenthood. Acne on my forehead seemed to have gotten worse. Best of luck to you.
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January 18, 2008

Pros:

I have always had to deal with constant acne my whole life thus far (23 now). I went on OTC regular and the first few months did not notice much of a difference and it maybe seemed to get worse. But by the end of month two I am completely clear.

Cons:

None really. Might make you worse for the first month and a half, but trust me....its sooo amazing after that first period. I didn't believe people at first about it working b/c I was impatient, but stuck through it b/c my acne was so bad.

My skin is completely clear now. I had BAD acne before. Definitely hormonal though. It would lessen and then get bad again right around my period. It is soo amazing to wake up and not have to conceal barely anything on my face b/c of my new clear skin! I love it! I would recommend this to anyone who perhaps used to get regular and cystic acne everyday. It really really works! Just stick through the first two months and you should definitely start to see your skin clear up. It is soo nice to not have to wake up to a new pimple or two everyday. NOTE: I am only supporting OTC regular. I have tried Lo in the past and it had neither postive or negative results. And do not try the generic either...I hear it is not the same as the OTC regular.
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November 6, 2007

Pros:

Prevented Pregnancy

Cons:

Did not help acne
Had to stop because I was constantly crying the week of my period. Got depressed.

Would not reccommend
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October 28, 2007

Pros:

not pregnant. Generic brand is affordable.

Cons:

I am constantly breaking out! Decerased sex drive.

I started this pill beacuse I heard it's supposed to clear up your face. Didn't work! It made my face worse and oily. I have to sex drive and it's becomin a problem with my husband.
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October 16, 2007

Pros:

clears skin, regulates periods, prevents pregnancy

Cons:

nausea occurs when first starting otc, but goes away after first pack. However, this is a side effect of otc.

OTC works very well at regulating periods, and does help to clear skin. I saw a significant improvement in my skin after the first pack. They say that it takes about three months to show complete results from using OTC, so just hang in there.
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October 3, 2007

Pros:

I've been using it for more than a year and I'm not pregnant. My boobs are bigger (which is a pro for me since I was an A, but now a B). My periods are lighter.

Cons:

DEPRESSION. Horrible, horrible gut-wrenching depression. I cry all the time. I feel mentally unstable on this product, honestly. I have never felt so low as I have on this product.

I'm only using OTC-Lo till I can figure out another brand that works for me or if I decide to get off of BC altogether. I'm a full time college student so its been hard making time to make an appointment with the doctor so I can switch brands. It's just easier to pay for the new refill every month. I'm sure plenty of women are not suffering with OTC-lo as I am. But I am in the minority that suffers from depression because of it. I just pray I can bring myself out of this...
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August 6, 2007

Pros:

regulates period, prevents getting pregnant

Cons:

everything else

I've never had acne before I started using this over 5 years ago. Obviously I'm not on it anymore but I didn't know why at age 22 I was breaking out with acne until after doing alot of research, 3 years after being on it, I figured out it was the birth control pills! I also gained weight and suffer headaches and mood swings from time to time!!! SUCKS
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July 25, 2007

Pros:

clearer skin! (so happy), normal period.

Cons:

trying to never forget taking it at the same time :S! headaches and spotting first month.

I've been reading all these posts and it literally made me want to try this birthcontrol. Also, because i needed to start on it anytime soon so I decided to pick OTC. I suffered from bad acne and oily skin since age 14. So of course im happy. First month i had spotting since i started the sunday on my period. Now on the second month it stopped and i dont worry about my skin. The only thing I do (in a way) worry about it taking it everytime..at the same time. SAME TIME! Perfect hormones = perfect skin. Well for me :) GOODLUCK to the rest. I didnt gain weight. Everyones different but the normal gaining is 5 pounds or less if you do gain weight. The rest is all in your head. ANd keep positive and dont believe the pills make you moody. Not saying they dont but it does help thinking they dont. Didnt for me because i found that to be bull :P THo, everyones different.
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July 14, 2007

Pros:

Ortho has been good to me in the past

Cons:

Don't use the generic version (TriNessa)! Gave me a weird breakout...

I decided a couple months ago to switch from Yasmin back to Ortho for one reason or another. When I had picked up my Rx from the pharmacy I realized they had given me the generic version, TriNessa. I decided to give it a try and it was the worst decision of my life. I ended up breaking out and couldn't figure out why since I hadn't done anything differently from my usual regime. I then realized that I was on TriNessa and had been for the month that my breakout began and quickly worsened. The next month I decided to ask my pharmacist to give me Ortho and not the generic. I've been back on Ortho for a couple weeks now and my face seems to be clearing up slowly. The other weird thing is that the acne caused by TriNessa (or I believe it was cause by it) are different from any other acne breakouts I've had in the past. They are tiny bumps concentrated on my forehead, nose, and cheeks. Considering seeing a dermatologist...
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July 6, 2007

Pros:

I can't think of any

Cons:

acne worse than ever, gained 2 lbs eating 500 cals a day, start spotting on the dark blue (3rd week pills). Didn't get my period as soon as I started the green pills but on the FIFTH day of them.

Ortho Tri Cyclen (regular, not low) can cause all the side effects that low can. I've also had panic attacks, depression, and stomach sickness. I'm starting my second month on it now and thinking about just giving up.
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