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
34.3%
3
21.2%
2
13.1%
1
8.8%

Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

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April 22, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up acne, periods were regular, no weight gain, no cramps or PMS, 2-3 day periods

Cons:

Got pregnant

I thought this was a wonderful product until I found out I was pregnant. :( Side effects might have not affected me because I always took at night? Now that my son is born, I am getting back on it to regulate my periods. Got it from a Family Planning Clinic and never had to pay for it.
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April 22, 2009

Pros:

dont kno yet

Cons:

none so far

Dont really know yet i only used it for three days but i pray it clears up my acne!!!!
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April 20, 2009

Pros:

not pregnant, regular periods.

Cons:

acne, depression, SERIOUS mood swings, random emotional issues, not myself, according to my boyfriend im a bitch now, random stomach pains, dizziness, panic attacks, all i wanna do is eat, headaches, major mood swings

As for preventing pregnancy, it gets the job done. But it's up to you if you wanna deal with the side effects. I'm already a mom, and my doctor put me on birth control after havin my baby.....and trust me, we have had MANY close calls where i would normally be pregnant, but my pills prevented it. it just depends on what you're looking into birth control for...like what is your soul purpose
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April 19, 2009

Pros:

No pregnancy / Cleared up all acne / Full Breasts / Nice thick hair / Period always came on the same day / No cramps (ever)

Cons:

Hormones destroyed my gallbladder

I loved everything about being on birth control (OTC Regular) except the fact that after taking it for 6 years it made me very sick. I've been told by my GI that since gallbladder problems ran in my family (maternal side) taking the extra hormones ultimately lead to my gallbladder functioning at 10% its capacity. Because of the hell I went through I had to get it removed. I'd recommend doing some tests and talking to OB's about the various possible problems that may arise from taking higher dosed birth control pills.
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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 14, 2009

Pros:

Didn't get pregnant, cleared up acne for the first 6 months

Cons:

5 lb weight gain in the beggining, severe acne breakout after 6 months of being on the pill. Painful, heavy periods.

I liked it at first but my acne went from one or two a month to 10-15. Too expensive for negative results.
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April 14, 2009

Pros:

Lighter Periods. Lost Body Acne, no effect on my mood, cleared my body acne.

Cons:

Acne around the Mouth, Vision worsen, Breasts always swollen, bloated all the time ( even if i dont eat )

I was on OTC Lo for 6 months. It was okey for my acne and my body until 6 months. It was when acne started to come out. Ive decided to switch to OTC Regular hoping to cure my acne. I was advised that it takes 4 months for it to take effect. But of no luck. Acne got worse. I was on the 5th pack that I decided to get off the pill. Its been 2 weeks now and my acne is getting crazy. I think my body is still adjusting to the new set up. I hope that within 2 months my acne would be better. I took BCP solely for my acne. But it did not help. I was bit relieved that it did not help with my acne. At least I wont get hooked up with the pill taking into consideration the negative effect it might do for your body. As what others say, it takes some time for your body to adjust. but it did not work for me so i decided to stop.
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April 13, 2009

Pros:

Didn't get pregnant

Cons:

Went from occasional to moderate acne. Major mood swings. Angry all the time. Depressed. Frustrated. Sore boobs. Cravings.

I don't think I've ever had something break me out so bad. I am 27 y.o and still suffer from the occasional hormonal breakouts. Well I went on regular Ortho with the hope that it would help with my hormonal acne. WRONG! The left side of my face has about 8 under the skin cysts, and my chin and cheeks have about 20 small, flesh colored bumps..clogged pores I guess. I went from working on the marks left from old breakouts, to dealing with a lot of pimples again! I am so frustrated. OH yeah and did I mention I turned into a psycho! My poor boyfriend threw away the pills because he couldn't handle the pill turning me into someone he didn't know anymore. So sad! No more chemicals for me, I will take the inconvienence of condoms for now on.
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April 10, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up acne that was very painful! Sooo thankful!

Cons:

slight weight gain for awhile

I had very bad breakouts all over my face and back, it took about three months and Ortho clear my face up! I rarely breakout and when I do it doesn't last long and its gone!
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