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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March 24, 2009

Pros:

Predicatable periods, no ovulation (no discharge), less emotional issues, breasts grew one whole cup size

Cons:

Water retention= weight gain...like 3-5 pounds, acne got worse, breast tenderness

I started taking this as my first birth control pill ever. It helps with predicting my periods of course, but I took it for acne which got worse...but is starting to get better...I think my body just needs to get used to it. I'm WAY less emotional than I was before. I gained about 5 pounds but I honestly don't mind it, and my breasts grew, all of the sudden too! But not too much, so I am happy with that.
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March 23, 2009

Pros:

Prevents pregnancy, predictable periods, decreased menstrual cramp pain & made period very light and brief, helps with acne

Cons:

Decrease in sexual drive, nausea shortly after you take the pill each day, moodiness and irritability, more likely to get yeast infections, increases blood pressure, can cause eczema, can cause breast cancer, overall not good for your health AT ALL

I have been taking Ortho tri-cyclen LO for 5 years and I haven't got pregnant! And even though I haven't had severe side effects I've decided to come off of it for a while simply because it's obviously not healthy for my body. If you don't care about side effects or getting potentially horrible health problems (blood clot, stroke, anxiety, etc), this is a very effective method of BC if you take it at the same time each day. I have never heard of anyone who got pregnant on Ortho LO.
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March 22, 2009

Pros:

I don't really know yet I just started taking it about four days ago

Cons:

Dont know this yet either

O.K. I have been on BC 14 years now and I have tried it all. I have had the "SHOT",Lo-ovral,Yasmine,Yaz,IUD,and I am now on Tri Cy Lo. I have have the worst problems with all of it. I've been in a fog for about a year and a half and I am ready to feel normal again. Girls let me tell you DO NOT take yasmine or Yaz it is awful. I have had more bad side effects on those than any I have ever taken. My poor husband dont even know who i am anymore.Bottom line if you are married or just a happy sain person dont take those two.I hope this new one works for me. GOOD LUCK LADIES!!
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March 21, 2009

Pros:

predictable light periods, does its job. Clear skin, but never had a prob w/ acne b4.

Cons:

WEIGHT GAIN, i think I put on almost 10 lbs. And dont even bother dieting and exercising to lose it, it wont budge. Made me very irritable and caused a little anxiety. Always bloated. Just switched so we'll see.

If wanna pack on some lbs and become a irritable bitch then go 4 it.
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March 20, 2009

Pros:

Boobs grew, no break-through bleeding (like otc-lo)

Cons:

Weight gain, IRRITABILITY, nausea

The product worked, but i became a monster and gained 20 pounds, too many hormones for me. Switched to a lower hormonal dosage pill and couldnt be happier
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March 16, 2009

Pros:

Regulated my period, prevented pregnancy

Cons:

Made my acne a lot worse, mood swings

Ortho tri cyclen and Plan B are definitely the worse thing i've ever done to my skin. I had beautiful clear skin before but started breaking out after taking Plan B (like a week after Plan B which is why i didn't realize it was due to plan B until a long time afterwards). I then went on Ortho tri cyclen since i needed birth control and also because i was hoping it would clear the acne i got from Plan B. Right after the 1st week, it broke me out almost daily. I had like 1 or 2 new pimples a day compared to before where i would have none and my skin was very clear. I was very patient, thinking it was the initial breakout phase so i stayed on it for 4 months. After four months, i gave up on it and my skin immediately stopped breakign out as much. I still break out a lot (compared to before OTC) but no where as often when i was on the pill. I'm pretty pissed b/c i went from having beautiful clear skin to now having breakouts still in addition to old acne scars and rough skin.
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March 16, 2009

Pros:

Awesome for acne,no prego,decrease in appetite!

Cons:

nausea

It stopped acne dead in its tracks...it really works!
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March 16, 2009

Pros:

no babies, cheap!

Cons:

moodiness!

i have been on ortho tri cyclen 3 months now. before i went on bc i had light acne, but like everyone i wanted no acne... my breakouts were usually about a week before my period so i expected bc to clear everything up... nope. it has had absolutely no effect on anything. i honestly had better results of clearing my acne when i was just being really careful about what i was eating and drinking, water is the key! but yea i haven't been careful about my eating habits these last couple months, so perhaps i'll just have to take up drinking ridiculous amounts of water again. and on top of not meeting my expectations on acne control, it has turned me into a cry baby! before birth control i had impeccable control over my emotions, but now.... no way. i cry at the drop of a hat, and it is incredibly annoying. i've cried more in the last 3 months than i have in the last 3 years combined, absolutely unnecessarily too.
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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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March 13, 2009

Pros:

Regulated Period

Cons:

Wait Gain, Increased hunger, worse acne, depression/mood swings, fatigue

I went on the pill to regulate my periods because I have PCOS and to clear up my acne. When I went on the pill I had mild acne, and since then it has changed to moderate-moderate severe with cystic ance, which I have not had for a few years. I also noticed an increased appetite, and IMMEDIATE weight gain, (before the hunger kicked in). As well, I have been fighting bouts of depressive moods, and mood swings of anger, frustration, and sadness. Also, every once in awhile I will become fatigued and completely run-down. I don't know if it is related or not, but within the last 3 months I have been taking the pill I have become sick 3 times. Has only regulated my period, best thing (but maybe worst?) thing I can say.
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