Acne.org Products
Hormonal Therapy
Efficacy
63%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Note: Improvement significantly increases after 24 weeks.
Hormonal Therapy
Acne.org’s Real World Take
Any brand of oral contraceptive appears to clear the skin about the same amount, regardless of whether it is officially approved for acne treatment. Some people report complete clearing of acne symptoms and others see partial relief. However, artificially controlling your hormones is a serious decision, so it’s best to proceed with caution.
Hormonal Therapy
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
September 6, 2010
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Cons:
Still had awful cramps
Still had heavy flow
I went on birth control in an effort to stop my extremely painful cramps. I went on Yaz for a bit more than a year, and it didn't help. I stayed on it though, and it completely cleared my acne. I really liked that. I recently switched to Loestrin 24 fe, which has caused my acne to return, so it's upsetting to have had great skin for such a limited time. Loestrin is causing a lot of break through bleeding though, so I'm going to try another pill before going back to Yaz.
June 30, 2010
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
amazing boobs
Cons:
horrible mood swings
felt absolutely exhausted all the time
THE WORST ACNE BREAKOUT I EVER HAD
no sex drive at all
this is the first time i ever review anything but i really had to this time. this pill should be put off the market. i started taking it after my doctor really recommended this pill. i did read the reviews here but i was thinking, each body reacts differently but i never expected such a dramatic change in my personallity, skin, basically everything. and i have tried different pills in the past that never caused such a dramatic reaction. a week into my second pack i got two huuuuuuge cysts on the side of my face on my cheek, that are still healing 6 months on. yes, my skin didn't break out after this and i knew that if i countinued i'd be completely clear, but then i knew that my balance would never get back to normal if would want to quit because this pill changed everything, my breasts, my period, my moods (never felt so depressed and for no reason at all). so after the third pack i quit and got another huuuge breakout that i was prepared for and waited for this to heal and now i'm back to myself. NEVER AGAIN! girls, even if this pill works for you perfectly, think of the futurre and the consequences of quitting it.
June 17, 2010
Pros:
booobs got bigger, cleared acne, helped my period flow ALOT.
Cons:
when i forgot it a couple times it made me crazzzzyy!
i love ittt.
December 5, 2009
Pros:
Not pregnant
Cons:
Irritable, sleepy, breast tenderness, breakouts along jawline and chin - hoping this will clear up as i've only been on Ortho Tri Cyclen for a month
I recently switched from Yasmine to Ortho Tri Cyclen. My Gyno told me that Ortho is the only birth control pill that is FDA approved to clear up acne. Yasmine was good but it made me break out like CRAZY! Im hoping that with time Ortho will help my skin. They say it takes up to 3 months for your body to get used to the pill. Fingers crossed...
December 3, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
None, honestly.
Cons:
More acne, moody, a period every 2 weeks, loss of motivation, expensive, joint pain.
Not worth it. Try other BCPs.
November 20, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
no weight gain (other than chest, thats not a bad thing for me...)
very cheap because i have a great medical plan
less red/oily skin.
Cons:
i have a large breakout at the moment, but i think this is because my skin has to get worse before it gets better! Im confident that it will get clear soon.
I had slight nausea for a few hours after taking it.
i trust the product, even though it hasnt quite worked as well as i'd like it to. (ive only been on it for 3 weeks though) but its made my skin less red/oily so thats a start.
November 3, 2009
Pros:
clear skin!!!!!!! that's the most important thing of all :)
Cons:
slight weight gain, boo :(
it works for me...it took about 2 months to notice a change and every month after that my skin got better and better. It's now been a year since I started taking it and I rarely get break outs. I suddenly got adult acne at the age of 25 and it got REALLY bad (moderately severe cystic, nodules, blackheads, and all over my face and neck)....a year later I'm back to normal and sooooo happy :)
October 28, 2009
Pros:
Less acne, bigger boobs, no spotting, extremely horny (which is not a bad thing to me...), free from Planned Parenthood in CA.
Cons:
Can't skip period, super tired and emotional during beginning of pack, boobs slightly sore, I'm a bit bloated most of the time
I don't have any drastic side affects, it's doing more good than bad, and it's birth control, which I need.
September 17, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Its easy to swollow.
Cons:
No better acne. Cost $80 a month with no insurrance
I used this just for Acne, my doctor thought this would be best for me because its long-term. I've been on it for 4 months no improvements.
September 1, 2009
Pros:
well my breast are slight bigger after only about two weeks..
Cons:
terrible mood swings, me and my boyfriend have been fightning like cats and dogs ever since i been on it due to my moodiness, and i feel drained and absolutly depressed...
its alright... no weight gain yet,,i think...try not to eat alot!
Pros:
Cleared up acne completely
Regulated period
No pregnancy
No mood swings
No weight gain
No effect on sex drive