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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May 31, 2009

Pros:

nothing

Cons:

never had problems with acne now I'm getting pimples. I'm really bloated and crampy almost every day. I've gained weight I went from 109 to 112 and I've only been taking it for 3 weeks so I'm about to switch I can't be handling all of this!!

I was on micronor before this because I was breastfeeding my baby. So now I'm weaning her and needed a stronger pill so I was put on this now I'm having all sorts of issues.
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May 28, 2009

Pros:

cleared my skin completely, eliminated period cramps almost completely, made my period light, lost weight, and kept the babies away.

Cons:

stress to the MAX from having doubts everyday that i could be pregnant, dizziness, loss of apetite, nausea, decreased sex drive, and a lot more emotional.

im 19 and I've been using it for 7 months to prevent pregnancy. The first couple of months were when i was experiencing the side effects, but they have now worn off almost completely. I started with tri-sprintec and this month they gave me trinessa because they ran out of tri sprintec. at first i was confused but i realized they are the same exact thing, just different brands. i love the pill and so far its doing its job well.
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May 24, 2009

Pros:

Improves skin, good contraceptive, regulates periods,

Cons:

Less PMS control over time. All other results last though.

I started Ortho Tri-Cyclen over 10 years ago for acne, irregular/heavy periods, and PMS. It helped my skin become much more clear, regulated my period, and kept the babies away. About three years ago, I tried to switch to a different pill because my insurance would only pay for the generic version of regular OTC. Tried OTC-Lo and saw none of the benefits beyond the birth control aspect. Then Yaz. For the first three months that was not bad. Very short, light periods and decent skin. But over the next two years, it all went downhill. Acne came back with a vengeance, periods became ridiculously irregular to the point that I was almost constantly bleeding and slightly anemic, and moods became very irregular with lots of irritability. Switched back to OTC. And starting my second month back on it. My skin is improving drastically again, moods improved within the first week or two, and things are regulating again. Paying out of pocket for it now but it's worth it.
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May 23, 2009

Pros:

already breast have grown, gained about 1-2 pounds so far,

Cons:

hasnt helped acne, some break threw bleeding

this is a good birth control, have to take it everyday around the same time, you may gain some weight , from what ive read most girls have had breast growth which is nice, but you may have some bleeding within the first couple months of using this pill.
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May 23, 2009

Pros:

regulates period, I no longer have trouble with ovarian cists, prevents pregnancy, low dose is good for someone over 30,

Cons:

makes my skin break out worse than it has in years, gained 12 pounds in the past 8 months since I've been taking it, emotional during the week before my period starts, actually experience heavier periods with a lot of clotting

I stay on it to prevent pregnancy, but I am going to make an appt with my OB next week...I'd like to try another pill (I took Diane before and my skin never looked better)...I'm just afraid of gaining another 12 pounds!!! ;)
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May 16, 2009

Pros:

not sure yet

Cons:

having to remember it daily at same time, bleeding during intercourse

only been on it for 2 wks now was prescibed it to regulate my periods so its made me bleed more I think but its only been couple of weeks I'll wait it out and see what happens my BF is concerned about the bleeding during sex though. I would like bigger boobs I'm reading about LOL
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May 15, 2009

Pros:

it gets rid of acne and gives you a light period... for me i had no weight gain at all.. infact i lost almost 40 lbs!

Cons:

if you have any emotional problems or depression.. do not take it-- especially if you have PMDD!!!! the pill made my pmdd a million times worse... i found myself crying about everything-everyday. it kills relationships. it made me feel crazy.

it's a great pill as long as you are mentalllly stable. The fact that the dossage in each pill would get higher everyweek made it so i could feel my hormones go crazy every sunday after the new pill. my boyfriend and I almost broke up so many times during the week before my period would start. i remember really noticing that my hormones were a little out of wack when i found myself crying-no balling- at the sight of a dung beatle rolling poop up a hill and i started talking about how beautiful a role they play on earth and how thankful i am for them.... now this is true and all... but it wasn't really a reason to start balling.
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May 14, 2009

Pros:

cleared up most of my facial acne and acne on my back

Cons:

must take the pill everyday at the same time with my hectic schedule

it might be difficult at time to remember to take the pill everyday at the same time, but it's worth it. i have been taking ortho-tri-cyclen for about three years now and it has truly helped clear up most of my acne. i have had moderate acne since junior high and now i am in college so i understand how everyone who suffer from acne feels. i think ortho-tri-cyclen is a great option and it's worth giving it a try. word of advice: go to a planned parenthood nearest to you and receive the pill for free. :)
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May 13, 2009

Pros:

Whle on it, my acne improved a bit, and my periods were regular

Cons:

WEIGHIT GAIN!!! I used to be a size 4, now im lucky to fit into a size 8! I gained 20 pounds in 3 months! The weight still hasnt come off, 2 years later, even tho i try to work out and eat healthy.

If I could go back in time, I would NEVER take this again. My acne cleared up (not completely) while I was on it, and at first I thought it was great. However, all of a sudden my clothes didnt fit and I hopped on the scale and realized I had gained a whooping 20 pounds in the 3 months I was on it! I went off the pill because I was so horrified about my weight, and unfortunatly, the acne came back, even worse than before! So now I am stuck with worse acne, and weight issues. I urge girls who are looking at this as an option for acne to consider other options first, maybe talk to your doctor about other options first, there are many out there.
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May 13, 2009

Pros:

breast growth

Cons:

made my face worse than it has EVER been, it was HORRIBLE!

Did not work for my acne whatsoever.
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