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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22.3%
4
33.2%
3
21.1%
2
14%
1
9.5%

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November 20, 2007

Pros:

um. not pregnant.

Cons:

horrible depression during the last week of the cycle and then during period. nausea, dizziness, appetite irregular. terrible. dont take it.

i will never take this or any birth control again. my body cant handle it. NO SEX DRIVE, HORRIBLE SADNESS. pushed away people closest to me.
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November 6, 2007

Pros:

Regulates menstrual cycle, prevents prenancy

Cons:

Nautious and dizzy ALOT. I can't keep up with my workout class since starting.

Hopefully After a few months things will get better.
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October 14, 2007

Pros:

prevents pregnancy, very regular periods

Cons:

mood swings, lower sex drive, headaches!

it gets the job done and doesnt make me gain weight.
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September 27, 2007

Pros:

MY SKIN IS CLEAR AND I AM NOT PREGNANT.

Cons:

SEX DRIVE IS VERY LOW!THE INTEREST LEVEL IN THAT DEPARTMENT IS TOTALLY GONE.AFTER STARTING OTC MY CHARACTER HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED.MOODSWINGS,DEPRESSION,MIGRAINES,ETC.WORST OF ALL IS WEIGHT GAIN!

EVERYONES BODY RESPONDS DIFFERENTLY TO CERTAIN BIRTH CONTROLS.IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE SIDE AFFECTS OF YOUR BIRTH CONTROL,GET YOURS CHANGED IMMEDIATELY.ALL I KNOW IS I HAVE'T GOT PREGNANT YET AND THAT MY PERIODS LAST LONGER THAN 7 DAYS WHICH I DO NOT LIKE AT ALL.BUT DON'T GET ME WRONG I DO PLAN ON TRYING A NEW BIRTH CONTROL ASAP.JUST REMEMBER THAT ONLY YOU CAN DECIDE WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU.
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September 11, 2007

Pros:

Clearer skin, lighter periods, not pregnant...

Cons:

Random breakouts, feel fatter, extremely moody.

When I first started, my skin was amazing and clear and now I am 3 months in and I am PMS'ing. My skin is being INSANE. I hardly want to go outside. But besides this week, I have looked amazing and my periods are unbelievably light.
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September 7, 2007

Pros:

It took away my acne,but it takes about 4 months to see the difference,it gave me lighter and shorter periods.

Cons:

Can cause nausea around the time you take the first pill, then it goes away, I did not gain weight, on the first 4 months it made my acne worse, but after 4 months, I had the best skin ever, free of all acne.

I know everyone's body is different, I would tell anybody to give this pill 6 months, if you don't see your skin getting better, try something else.
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July 31, 2007

Pros:

Regulated Periods, kept face clear, no side effects.

Cons:

Remembering to take it everyday at the same time.

Tri-Cyclen Lo kept my face clear in the past and I didn't have any side effects from it at all. I haven't been on BC for a a few months and at 25 my acne has been bad over the last two years and getting worse over the last few months for some reason so I have elected to go back on it. My doctor prescribed me Diane 35 which I researched and found horrible possible side effects and horrifying reports from people who have used it. I didn't take the Diane 35 and I am going to back to get Tri-cyclen Lo. I can't say I recommend Tri-cyclen because BC works differently on everybody.
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July 28, 2007

Pros:

Lighter and very predictable periods

Cons:

weight gain, bigger breasts

I am beyond frustration with OTC lo because I have gained probably about 5 pounds and I have been on the pill for about four months. I work out for an hour a day and haven't skipped a day since December. I eat right and have been a size 4 since I can remember. Do you know how frustrating it is to have your clothes fit tighter after taking such good care of yourself!? However, being able to have sex and how worry about getting pregnant is great.
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July 27, 2007

Pros:

Period has been lighter, less cramping, and much more regular.
Of course as a contraceptive it works fine.

Cons:

Ok I am on my second month of OTC...I am experiencing some of the worst breakouts of my life! Cystic and all over my face! I don't think my acne has been this bad since I was going through puberty.

Since I have been taking OTC my face looks horrible, filled with acne, and stressing me out. Please can anyone tell me if they have had the same problem? I would like to think that it will get worse before it gets better. So far I am not seeing any improvements with my skin and am debating wether or not to take it. I have tried tons of acne products (expensive and cheap) nothing is working. Should I just allow more time?
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May 26, 2007

Pros:

protection from pregnancy, lighter periods

Cons:

mild skin problems, more emotional, still have cramps.

I've been on Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo for 8 months. After the first couple of months of having some of the expected side effects which went away, i found this drug to cause extreme emotions, almost in a bi -polar way. I still have cramps, get tired and my period sort of has regulated...my flawless skin became somewhat irrated from the BC. More importantly, i feel that my hormones increased in a negative way that has cause problems in my relationship. I am about to try Yasmin with better hopes. If that affects me negativly, I am discontinuing the pill all together.
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