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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June 25, 2009

Pros:

Steady, light period.

Cons:

My skin seems to be breaking out more then usual. Change in my appetite, eating less, feeling nausea the odd time. Change in mood.

I've only been taking the pill for a few weeks now. I have noticed some changes. I barely have an appetite anymore, haven't noticed weight gain or loss just yet. My acne is worsening, I'm breaking out more then normal. Tender breasts. More emotional, feeling depressed and taking things more to heart, moody in other words as well ! My periods although are steady, light and short which is what I like. But the pill does affect everybody differently. I hope my acne will clear up, and I will not have a weight gain, because that will be an issue for me.
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June 24, 2009

Pros:

clear skin, predictable and light period, no menstrual cramps

Cons:

Nothing for the first 4 years of use.

The bottom line is, OTC was a really good BCP for me for the first 4 years while I was on it. I did not suffer from any problems, my skin was free of pimples, and everything was just dandy. However, the pill seems to be losing its power to keep my skin under control. My skin is now breaking out and is REALLY oily (this never happened prior taking BCP), and I am also experiencing chronic yeast infection that keeps coming back every month. Furthermore, this pill also made me emotionally unstable. I was on OTC before, now I am currently taking OTC-Lo, in hopes that less hormone in my body will fix some of the problems.
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June 23, 2009

Pros:

Bigger Boobs, Weight Gain

Cons:

Worsed Acne, Changed my mood drastically, Weight Gain

I got this pill free from a local Planned Parenthood. I decited to take it because im not very smart at safe sex and thought it would help with my skin. My skin has cleared up before than it use to be. I took it for about a week and saw bad changes happen to me. My skin is now worse than before, my mood has altered significantly in a bad way and made me gain weight. I put the gain weight in both the pro and con because I am a petite girl so a few pounds will show however it did give me bigger boobs, which I enjoy. Overall I do not like this pill. I just stopped taking it because I cannot handle how it has changed my mood and worsened my skin. I am feeling sad, angry and just lost at everything.I do not like this free pill.
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June 22, 2009

Pros:

Nice, easy form of birth control. I did not experience weight gain or nausea.

Cons:

I could not control my emotions most of the time when taking this; may have also made acne worse.

I had the Paragard IUD for awhile. I had it removed because partly because of the severe cramping every month and partly because I thought it was contributing to my acne. It wasn't that bad, but the breakouts were enough to aggravate me. I thought going on birth control would be the answer to all my problems as far as cramping, acne, and birth control were concerned. I specifically asked for the non-generic OTC because i once took trisprintec and had to come off it because of severe mood swings and depression. I thought maybe the regular OTC would be different. For about 3 months I thought I was doing OK, but gradually I became irrational, angry all the time, irritated over everything, and just very unhappy in general. I was never calm. It felt like having severe symptoms of PMS all the time. And my acne got WAY WORSE after taking the OTC as well. Full-blown cystic acne all over my face. I've stopped taking it and already i feel more in control; taking Doxycycline to treat acne.
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June 21, 2009

Pros:

Pregnancy prevention, Cheap to buy

Cons:

Worsened acne

I have been on these for a year. I got on them after having my Mirena (IUD) removed. The Mirena gave me acne and acne on my back and made me bleed for 9 months. Took that out and got on OTC. Back acne cleared up for awhile but face did not clear up. After awhile I got back acne again! Got off of the OTC and face is already more clear. Condoms again. No more hormones for me. Hopefully I do not get pregnant again.
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June 21, 2009

Pros:

clearned skin completely! leveled emotions, consistent periods

Cons:

weight gain

It cleared my skin. I have had hormonal acne since I was 13 and I feel I have tried everything else.I took the pill for 4 months and it was wonderful for my skin, but not so great for my body. I gained 7 lbs. Urg. I stopped this month and am trying a few different things. My face is already breaking out a little bit. I may go back or try a different birth control eventually.
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June 20, 2009

Pros:

No headaches, no nausea, predictable periods, sex drive, no kids

Cons:

Very mild acne has become severe along chin since beginning, spotting

I've been on birth control before, and then tried Depo. That worked great until I found out the black box warning, and got off. My skin was clear... until the stuff got completely out of my system. I finally got on Ortho, and it has been nothing but more and more pimples every day it seems. I'm switching to Yaz any day.
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June 18, 2009

Pros:

Prevention of pregnancy. Light period. I guess it may have helped with my acne.

Cons:

Loss of Sex drive. Yeast infections. Emotional.

The reason I got off this pill is because I completely lost my sex drive. The purpose of this pill was so I can have sex without worrying about pregnancy, but I didn't want to have sex at all. Libido Gone! .I felt as if it made me get yeast infections constantly. I became very emotional and i was a total b*tch. I'm a positive, happy, smiley person, and this pill was just very wrong for me.
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June 18, 2009

Pros:

I have had hormonal adult acne for years and this pill has dramatically improved my skin!

Cons:

I have nausea every day; almost ill feeling all day. I have gained weight suddenly without changing my good diet and excercise. The weight is very noticable on just my stomach area- almost bloated.

I wish I could keep talking this pill as I love my skin now! I feel fine-not moody, but maybe a little more tired than normal. Studies say that the pill doesn't make you gain weight, but I am baffled because I gained at least 5lbs since I started taking it. (3 weeks). I scared to keep taking it for this reason; as I've read reviews of others gaining weight too. Try this pill if you have bad skin, maybe you won't gain weight--there are lucky ones!
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June 18, 2009

Pros:

no children

Cons:

increase in acne

I had mild acne on my face, and would get what i refer to as tumors once a month so my doctor suggested ortho tri-cyclen. i have been on it for three months and my face still has mild acne, but my entire back has broken out with tumor pimples. i have never had a pimple on any other part of my body except my face, and now i have scars on my back from these pimples. i am going back to yak. yes, it costs an arm and a leg, but atleast i can show my back in public!
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