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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2
13.1%
1
8.8%

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June 18, 2009

Pros:

period is lighter and lasts 4 days only

Cons:

your acne gets worst and you get pimples on your chest and back. No matter if you avoid alcohol and greasy food, your light acne becomes moderate to severe.

I tried Ortho-Tricyclen Low for a month. I started getting pimples out of nowhere although I dont drink or smoke. I work out and do not eat junk food. It was really frustating!! Anyway, I talked to my doctor and she told me to try Ortho-Tricyclen. I really do not understand why doctors will give us something that will not help your skin at all!! I have read a lot of comments on this issue on different forums and seriously it is pretty upsetting.
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June 15, 2009

Pros:

No weight gain! :D Free from local planned parenthood!

Cons:

Very emotional. Cried a lot!

I was on this pill for 2 months. I was so excited b/c i never gained any weight and thought i was keeping my emotions in check. (B/c i've heard horror stories about this pill and crying, anger etc..) I've been off of it for a couple months now and feel... normal =] The reason i got off of the pill was just because i no longer needed it as a birth control method! If i need to get back on the pill, i will probably give Orth Tri Cyclen Lo another try.
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June 11, 2009

Pros:

This pill prevents pregnancy (so far) with little weight gain. I have very little period symptoms where I had horrible symptoms before, and my period is lights and usually short.

Cons:

I have acne problems on my cheeks, and I've never had acne there before. I cry at the drop of a hat. I don't get my period until my fourth placebo pill.

I started out on a generic version of this. I gained a few pounds, had a little acne and I went up a cup size. When I switched, my weight went back to normal. I've only gained about a pound since before everything I started birth control. On OTC, my symptoms are better, but I don't get my period until the fourth day. I'm really emotional, and I'm constantly worried about being pregnant. I am a little moodier than before. My acne is what bothers me. I never broke out on my cheeks before I took OTC, and now... it's bad. During the week that I'm off the pill, the acne actually clears up. However, (if you're just looking not to be pregnant) this seems to be a great pill. So far, so good.
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June 10, 2009

Pros:

Prevents pregnancy, lighter shorter periods, cleared skin until period starts, decreased breast tenderness and cramps.

Cons:

KILLS YOUR SEX DRIVE!!! Moodiness, irritability, depression, fatigue, weight gain, more emotional and sensitive to everything, lack of passion for anything.

I'm 32 years old and I've been on Ortho Tri Cyclen for 10 years and initially gained 5 pounds right off the bat and now 10 years later I'm 85 lb. overweight. I have never really changed my eating or exercise habits. Also, at first I loved it and it does work (preventing pregnancy) but it seems like the longer I'm on it the worse my side effects are. I used to want to have sex with my husband and now the thought of having it feels like a chore. It most definitely kills your sex drive and also I just have this BLAH attitude all the time now. I used to be so happy and smiley. I was such a sweet friendly person and now I'm such a b*tch on it. My poor husband doesn't know what to do with me. I'm on my last pack right now and I think I'm going off of it for awhile and see if I can lose some weight and get my sex drive and myself back.
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June 9, 2009

Pros:

Didnt get pregnant

Cons:

HUGE decrease in sex drive, irritability, mood swings, depression, break through bleeding

I stopped taking Ortho lo 2 weeks ago and i already notice a huge change. I feel like i am back to my normal self. While on the pill i actually thought that i might be bi polar.
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June 7, 2009

Pros:

None

Cons:

Gained 20 lbs in a few months because of increased appetite. Have breakthrough bleeding for three out of four weeks. Keeps the babies away. I love kids but have a three and a one year old and my family insisted I slow down / stop.

This medication might work for you............ I found YAZ to have minimal side effect, but still the breakthrough bleeding 3/4 weeks but not the starving situation with eating all the time.
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June 7, 2009

Pros:

I love it...it kept my skin clear, kept my weight in check, prevented babies. I absolutely love it...when I got off of OTC, thats when the acne ( that I never had before) came out of nowhere, I gained weight,etc.

Cons:

NONE...I'm getting back on it.

It's an amazing product and I would recommend it to any and everyone : )
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June 5, 2009

Pros:

Boobs got a little bigger

Cons:

I have never had acne before but now i get a new pimple like every other day, Iv gained some weight but i think thats normal during the first months of the pill. I have spotting like crazy.

Im gonna stay on it another few months just to see if this is the initial side effects but I cant handle the acne problem. I am on the generic version, Trinessa, and my doctor said that its practically the same thing. Please if anyone can help me please respond.
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June 3, 2009

Pros:

reduced acne quickly, no severe mood swings, losing weight!!

Cons:

Don't have any yet

I've only been using OTC for a little over a month but it seems to be working great for me.
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June 2, 2009

Pros:

increased breast size, lost a few pounds, no pregnancies, loss of appetitte, and helped clear my back

Cons:

nausea, mood swings, more emotional about things

I like it. It works well. I thought id gain a lot of weight being on it but im glad i'm losing it. It has helped with my back acne too which is great. I love that my boobs are bigger. they are fuller now then they were before and I can fill out a bra that was slightly too big for me before. It works well. I like it. i think the nausea mood swings and emotional aspects will subscide after a few months. but i guess ill have to wait and see.
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