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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5
22.3%
4
33.2%
3
21.1%
2
14%
1
9.5%

Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

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May 6, 2007

Pros:

Not pregnant, regular (and lighter) period.

Cons:

Worst acne I've ever had- big tender cysts and all. Cramps not much better.

I started out on a different pill and my doctor switched me to this one saying it wouldn't make me break out; I've now been on it for 2.25 months, and I don't think I think if I haven't improved in another couple weeks I'll just stop taking it. This isn't worth it.
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January 31, 2007

Pros:

comepletely cleared my face except for occasional breakout during period

Cons:

didnt clear my mild chest and back acne but taking tretinoin for that

well im taking trinessa which is the generic for ortho tri cyclen since my insurance wont cover the name brand. so far it has made my face clear and glowing. ive been taking it for about 3 months. i did start taking it even longer ago but i had stopped because i ran out of pills while out of town. but then i started again which f*ed me up for a while. im steadily gaining weight though, thats not a big issue with me since i need more meat on my bones anyway.its probably because its a generic. dont be fooled, there IS a difference. however it hasnt helped a whole lot on my body which i dont know why. but i just started taking tretinoin for that which is generic for retin a. my acne on my face was mild to moderate before taking this. it was that way thanks to oral antibiotics like tetracyclin and doxycyclen, which stopped working after a while and made it come back worse. remember u need a pill with less androgen and more estrogen.
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January 21, 2007

Pros:

I've only been taking it for 2 weeks (too soon to tell)

Cons:

spotting, but that doesn't bother me (so none really). my ance appears to be getting worse

SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME! I'm not sure if OTC is cauing worse ance. This is ,y 15th day on the pill and my ance seems to be getting worse. Is this normal and will it get better? (if so, how ong before it gets better?). Are there any other BC pills that help with your acne?
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December 15, 2006

Pros:

I have only been on it for a week but I was on Tri Cylen Lo for about two months but I just wasn't liking it, it worked a bit but not good enough for me! Plus I read that Tri Cyclen can be really good for acne, so I am trying it.

Cons:

I am having terrible a terrible break out right now, on my chin and forehead... I'm going to try and wait it out but it's hard when you're waking up with more pimples each day.

It's cheap for me since my mom has health insurance or whatever it is. I am praying to God it puts an end to my terrible appearance.
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November 19, 2006

Pros:

Face is clearing up a tiny but ...

Cons:

A few days before I start my water pills I break out horribly ... Before I went on the pill it was a bunch of little ones now its a few large ones ... hopefully this is a sign itll clear up 100%

Well .. I have a question. Ive been on ortho tri cyclen regular for about 2 months. Im starting my 3rd month in 7 days ... Anyways ... my face clears up 100% right after I get my period But it gets pretty bad before my period How long should I wait to know if its working Im so depressed now it isnt even funny: Should I at least give it til the end of the 3rd month Thanks
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October 14, 2006
I have moderate acne. That's why i took OTC, it made me breakout more and gain weight all in one month. If someone had same experience and been curded with different birth control pills please let me know by emailing at [email address removed] Its very upsetting that i'm that odd ball who was not cured.
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April 13, 2015
Tri sprintec
My first week on it and my face looks better than ever! No side effects, I feel so happy. Not sure why everyone is having issues with it!
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July 29, 2014
My BFF
I have been on Tri Sprintec (which is excellent for lack of insurance) for maybe 2 years. Thanks to this pill, my skin has dramatically improved. I had light-moderate acne and would get large, deep blemishes on my back. Now I only break out on my face when (and if) I happen to miss a pill or top using The Regimen, and my back is completely clear. This had also completely cleared my forehead. This in combination with The Treatment (2.5% BP) are my go to!
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November 11, 2013
Good and Bad

Pros:

No weight gain
Light periods
Light cramps

Cons:

Didn't help acne
Longer periods than past birth control

I initially went on sprintec because I wanted to be on a birth control that would help clear my skin. I used to be on Loestrin 24 Fe, but that just wasn't cutting it. I have now been on sprintec for a little over 6 months and my experience is both good and bad. The good part, I haven't gained a single pound and it hasn't effected my emotions at all. Periods are light and I don't get terrible cramps like I used to. The bad, my skin hasn't improved at all and I actually just started accutane a week ago because I couldn't deal with it any longer. Overall its a great birth control IF you have clear skin already. If you want to go on it for acne, I recommend going on another birth control!
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September 21, 2013
Works for some but not me!!!

Pros:

Nothing for me
Works for some people

Cons:

Weight gain 10 lbs
Breakouts got worse
Always felt and looked bloated!

When I went on this pill the only reason was to control my acne. Several of my friends are on it and it has cleared them up. I am 16. When I started I knew that I only had a 1/3 chance of it working. 1/3 of people it works for. 1/3 it does nothing for and of coarse my category 1/3 of people it makes acne worse. I stayed on it for 3 months and I was told it takes about that long to work. However what I didnt understand was that in the 3 months that it takes to work my acne should not have become worse. There really shouldn't be an initial breakout from BCP's. Your acne might not get better however it should not cause your acne to exploded and get worse. Read the side affects from the maker or ask your gyno. I have seen my friends that it has worked for and that is why it is hard for me to rate it. If you are in the group of 1/3 that it works for than lucky you. This is just something you need to try and see if it helps. I also eat really well and am very very active. I put on 10 to 14 lbs and I couldn't budge that weight off me no matter what. It was to the point that I was barely eating and still no weight loss. I actually looked bloated all the time and the weight was all around my middle. I do at least 700 ab and core strengthening a day for my sport and I use to be cut but on the pill it wasn't possible. Again this is just how it effected my body. Once I was off I have just started to drop the weight doing nothing different except eating more but still healthy. I have never struggled with weight ever. I would say give it a try but if your acne gets worse stop because it's not for you. One of my friends that it works for also had a ten lb weight gain. She can't get it to budge so she is deciding if she should live with the 10 lbs or start over looking for a treatment that controls her acne but does put the pounds on some. There is no quick fix. I am having to learn the lesson of being patient and finding the treatment that will clear me up. It sucks but I think it will serve me well as a life lesson.
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