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 10, 2009

Pros:

Nothing

Cons:

Caused me to have anxiety and break out in cystic acne

This pill may not work for everyone.. It can cause acne in some! My skin was pretty clear until I switched over from regular Ortho to this pill. I broke out in cysts which I haven't had in YEARS. I thought it might just be because it was the first month.. So here I am on Month 4 and now on a month into Accutane also. Switching back asap!
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March 6, 2009

Pros:

Lost a lot of weight. Recently went off the pill and gained a TON of weight. Started it back the other day and have a huge decrese in appetite. When I was on it last year, my skin was clear, but not COMPLETELY. Got it at the health department 4 free.

Cons:

none

LOVE IT
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March 6, 2009

Pros:

Been on it for 11 years with no side effects.

Cons:

Longer you are on it, the more problems you start to have (spotting, etc)

It worked - no pregnancy!
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March 5, 2009

Pros:

Affordable, extremely light periods, prevents pregnancy!

Cons:

Gained a little weight, break outs.

I have always have clear skin. In fact, I would get complimented on it almost daily. I think because of the hormones my skin has started to break out. By break out I mean 2-4 pimples showing up after the other ones are cleared out. And they are leaving their marks! This has never happened to me, I probably had only 5 pimples my entire life. Anyway, like the comment below, I hope it makes my skin clearer after this. I have been on it for exactly one month.
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March 4, 2009

Pros:

Clears up skin a bit

Cons:

Nausea

I have been on this pill for 5 years and I still get nauseas sometimes. I take the pill at night before bed and I dont get sick. This definitely keeps my skin at bay but does not completely clear up my skin- I am actually going to start to take Sironolactone with BC and hopefully that will clear up my skin
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March 2, 2009

Pros:

no mood swings

Cons:

EXTREME NAUSEA, Weight Gain, Water Retention, Major Acne Breakouts, Extreme Breat Tenderness.

The Nausea was so bad I had to stop taking them. the only thing I liked about the pill was I had no mood swings. "the pill" works differently on everyone so it may work for someone else... this wasn't for me.
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February 27, 2009

Pros:

You dont get pregnant

Cons:

LONG PERIODS....

I started taking this borth control this month. I have had my period now for two weeks and that is not normal at all. I have gained about 2-3 pounds, but am watching my eating habits now.
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February 26, 2009

Pros:

Affordable and easy to use.

Cons:

Nighty nausea, weight gain, frequent mood swings. I threw up a lot the first month I was taking the pill, but continued to feel nausea everyday, more so when taking the white pills. No affect on my acne.

If it works for you or you can tolerate the side effects, great. If not, try something else.
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February 21, 2009

Pros:

There was really no topical cream that would help my skin. I started taking ortho and it at first made me break out, but I think that was part of the process of clearing my skin. My skin is a lottt better now, and I dont break out nearly as much.

Cons:

None--no weight gain, no mood changes, no nausea at all

There are no negative side effects, and it truly did help my skin when nothing else would.
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February 20, 2009

Pros:

Controlled Acne, Larger Boobs?, Slight Weight Gain? ,

Cons:

Tender Breasts

I am a girl who hasnt begun her period yett, so i cannot sat how this has helped my period. My acne is not as inflammed as it used to be, but i have not been on that long so my skin has not cleared quite yett. Unlike everyone else, i did not get bad mood swings, or nasea, im not sure weather ive had my breasts grow or weight gain wich it a plus at this point. I am very pleased so far
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