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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February 10, 2009

Pros:

glowing smooth skin all over until my period, controlled hunger, prevents pregnancy, larger breasts, my hair was shinier and grew faster, eyelashes became thicker and longer, happier mentally, a feeling of mental balance. No nausea.

Cons:

breakouts during period, low sex drive during adjustment months, feelings of depression during adjustment months, up and down emotionally when forgetting to take the pill a few days in a row, breakthru bleeding during adjustment months.

Good pill. It's my first time on the pill overall and I really like it. I feel more womanly and happier with myself. My skin gets a little break out-ish when I stop taking the hormone pills and begin the placebo pills, but it has to be from the dramatic drop in hormones that messes around with my skin causing it to break out. Remember to take it on time or you'll get break through bleeding after missing it 2 days in a row. My period is sometimes delayed and I won't get my period into sometimes my 4th day on my placebo pills.
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February 4, 2009

Pros:

get my period on time,prevents babies, very small to take, bigger boobs, makes men happy when your own it, short period,

Cons:

weight gain big time,very emotional when i forget to take,hevey flow on first day,taken it the same time every day, bad cramps on first day

i have been on it for 3 years and i have gained weight and has been very emotional to every body i have been around but it has saved me from getting prego and it always gives me my period for the month overall it not bad it gives me what my period and no baby.
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January 26, 2009

Pros:

protects against pregnancy, no vaginal dryness, $ covered by clinic.

Cons:

face rash, breakthrough bleeding after first week, moodiness (i was crying to happy songs!), fainting spells.

i am getting off of this prescription today. judging by the face rash and the breakthrough bleeding as well as my tendency to cry without reason, my body is highly resistant to this formula.
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January 22, 2009

Pros:

Have not been on it long enough to determine

Cons:

First day very very nausea. Did not throw up but if I could I would have. Make sure you eat heavy before taking.

Cant say too much because I just started taking it.
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January 4, 2009

Pros:

Clears up skin

Cons:

Nausea, anxiety, panic attacks

I took Ortho-Tri-Cyclen Lo when I was 14 for the sole purpose of clearing up my skin. Throughout that year I experienced severe panic attacks. I had been diagnosed with anxiety disorder before and my parents attributed my new trouble to starting high school. I recently got back on the same pill and after two pills I am having severe anxiety again for the first time since I was 14 (I am now 18). I am crying a lot, I can't sleep, and if I do finally fall asleep I am awakened by nausea.
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October 5, 2008

Pros:

Regulates period

Cons:

Weight gain and more breakouts.

My GYN put me on OTC lo to help with my severe acne breakouts that the dermetologist couldn't clear. The pill at first cleared my face up but my breakouts have returned on my face. Also, the acne on my body (chest and back) never cleared up and looks as bad as it always has. I have also had increase hunger and have gained at least 10lbs.
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October 1, 2008

Pros:

Lighter periods, and less cramps

Cons:

Made me gain a bit of weight that ortho cyclen doesn't. Face started to break out again.

I got off this pill because I wanted to skip my periods. It worked pretty well for only using it a month.
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October 1, 2008

Pros:

Clearing up skin, I will finally be able to regulate when my period comes

Cons:

Tender and sore breast, Made me break out horribly at first, moodiness

I am on Ortho LO. I took this pill specifically for my acne. At first It broke me out horribly. I know it was from the pill because I woke up with pimples on my forehead and under my chin in addition to the normal places. After that initial breakout my skin has been clearing itself since then. I didnt want to resort to taking birth control pills but I have been suffering from acne since I was 13 and have been through many products. My skin is still clearing itself, but this is the best it has looked in years. The main con is sore and tender breast, I can barely touch them! And there were a few days where I have felt moody, but im not depressed or anything. When it broke me out I was going to go off, give it time to work! When most people write reviews, its to complain, so make sure you read this.
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August 22, 2008

Pros:

Stop cramps, Light period, no weight gain

Cons:

Breakout when I start my period

Stopped my painful cramps and heavy flow which im thankful for.I only get about one or two bumps when i come on.
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July 24, 2008

Pros:

clearer skin, bigger boobs, not pregnant, no cramps, regular periods

Cons:

gained a little bit of weight

i love it, everything works perfectly for me, no problems whatsoever.
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