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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 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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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 8, 2009

Pros:

Helps keep acne under control and manageable, prevents pregnancy, regular monthly cycle

Cons:

Doesn't clear acne completely. Having to remember to take the pill at similar time everyday, doesn't work if you get sickess/use antibiotics for other conditions, have to stop using under some circumstances, not suitable for people with migraine

I used BC pills to keep my acne under control following Roaccutane, though whilst on them I was never clear or acne free. I used them for 10 years then stopped to have my daughter and started them again when I had finished breast feeding. I have been on them again for the past 4 years but have now had to be taken off them due to severe migraine.
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May 6, 2009

Pros:

completely got rid of my large cyst acne! mostly improved my surface acne!

Cons:

as a couple people mentioned, it does make me tired. i have very oily skin, so i still have very mild surface acne but is controllable as long as i use my proactive wash.

nothing worked before this. changed my life! if you just have very mild surface acne, it might not help as much as it will help someone with more moderate to severe acne.
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April 16, 2009

Pros:

Helped acne a little.

Cons:

SEVERE mood swings (irritable, angry at everything, sensitive,
depressed), cystic acne on jawline and chin, light acne on neck, weight gain (5-10lbs), BLOATED, FATIGUED, cravings, sore boobs, contact irritation, this pill makes you a psycho beotch

So, basically I don't recommend this pill to anyone! It didn't help much with my acne, its cleared up a little bit, but it it's also made me break out in cystic acne on my jawline and chin, and its leaving brownish scars! I'm SO upset! I've been on this almost 3 months now, and I HATE the way it makes me feel! I have horrible mood swings, one minute I'm my happy self and the next I become so enraged I want to kill someone! I say awful things to people, and don't even realize what I am saying! Another HUGE issue is I gained a lot of weight! My highest weight was 125, and I am usually 114 (at 5'4), so I gained 9 lbs!! AND its gotten SO bad for me, that I've actually started to count my calories, measure my food, and increase my cardio and strength training. I run for like an 1 hr to 1.5 hrs and my weight wont even budge! Ive luckily been able to lose 5 lbs but thats maintained for months now. Another major side effect; I feel very tired, lifeless and like I have no energy. It SUCKS!
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April 15, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up body acne

Cons:

Mood swigns, horrible break outs on both cheeks.

I have suffered from some acne since I was a teen. I am 24, going on 25 and still get the same acne on my back and chest but not too bad on my face. I was on YAZ for a few and it was the best thing ever...I did not get a single pimple anywhere. I got off it because I don't like to take pills and I felt sick in the mornings (nausea). After getting off I began breaking out so I decided after 5 months to go back on YAZ...I began getting horrible leg pains and breakouts even after three months of use so I stopped.A month later my OBG gave me ortho lo..I just began my third month and I am breaking out like crazy...Please someone tell me this will stop soon. Any recomendations...I'd highly appreciate it.
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April 1, 2009

Pros:

Was on Ortho Tri Lo: Less Cramps & Shorter Periods-Whats better that, or CYSTIC ACNE?

Cons:

Cystic Acne almost immediatlely.

Had numerous visits to the Dermatologist. Horrible cysts that wont heal and left scars. Switched back to Yaz after 3 months on it. Ready to get off of that as well, although my face cleared up immediately after switching back.
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March 30, 2009

Pros:

cleared up my skin after 4 months of use, cheap, less cramps

Cons:

gained 5 pounds

i take ortho tri-cyclen lo and it took me 4 months to see results, so have patience! i had bad acne especially around my chin and now i am clear :)
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March 15, 2009

Pros:

Very Clear Skin, Regulated Hormones (Emotions?), Regular and Very Short and Light Periods, No Pregnancy...

Cons:

At first was hard to adjust... I'd get particularly moody, but I believe that was just a matter of adjustment.

I recommend it! I had pretty bad acne, now it is all gone1
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February 13, 2009

Pros:

prevents pregnancy, clears acne, boobs grow, periods are predictable, and no cramps and mood swings when PMSing and on period

Cons:

causes some weight gain

the only real downfall is a little weight gain (like 3-5 pounds) and this can be prevented if you actually pay attention to what you eat. it made me overall happier with all the pros. i have taken another kind of birth control pill, but i like ortho tri-cyclen better.
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