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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yaz

March 27, 2009

Pros:

no babies, period is on time every month, shorter periods, clears acne

Cons:

gained 30 pounds, irritable, mood swings, cramps are worse

ive been on yaz for 2 years and gained 30 pounds ive tried diet and exercise to see if it was my fault for gaining the weight. i never lost anything. im 20 yrs old and 30 pounds over weight!!! so i finally went to my dr and he switched me to ortho tri cyclen lo since i think that the hormones are making me huge. we will see how it works and if i lose any weight. but im scared since one of my friends got pregnant on ortho tricyclen. hopefully the new birth control will work for me. by the way i never had bad acne only a couple of pimples here and there and yaz did clear up most of it. and before i got on yaz i never had bad cramps, i only got on birth control to prevent pregnancy.

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Lia

March 26, 2009

Pros:

Prevents pregnancy, cheaper than other birth control pills, no break-through bleeding, breast growth

Cons:

Slight weight gain and increase in hunger, nausea, slight dizziness, FATIGUE, minor headaches, MOOD SWINGS, INCREASE IN ACNE

I went on Ortho Tricyclen Lo primarily to prevent pregnancy. When my doctor told me that it may also help with my acne, I was a little excited. Although my acne before going on the pill wasnt severe, I would get breakouts before my period or if I had my makeup on overnight. Since going on the pill, I noticed many differences in my skin - the type of acne changed and started appearing on different places on my face than what i was used to. My pores got bigger and the overall appearance of my skin worsened. It's not TOO terrible but considering the fact that many women go on this pill expecting that it will clear their acne, Ortho Tricyclen was a huge disappointment. I gained around 4-6 pounds, but I've only been on the pill for three months, so this weight may balance off. I tend to feel a little sick to my stomach an hour or so after taking the pill. A major side effect is fatigue; I feel very tired especially in the mornings. I also cry more often now and have unexpected mood swing

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dkat

February 17, 2009

Pros:

less acne on face and back. i haven't gotten my period, either.

Cons:

none.

i would get it again if i went back.

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Amanda

January 21, 2009

Pros:

-My skin stayed the same (it wasn't really broken out to begin with)
-No noticeable weight gain

Cons:

-MAKES ME CRY! every little thing makes me cry!
-Nausea! Big time.

For me & my body, i like it & it works well. The only thing is I hate how I get angry or sad & cry really easily now. Honestly, an Adam Sandler movie made me tear up! Oh well though, i'm happy i didn't gain weight! Oh & when you first use it, your period is kinda messed up & if you forget to take it, you may spot.

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Catherine

January 18, 2009

Pros:

Reduced cramps, lighter blood flow, regulated cycles.

Cons:

A little weight gain, slight acne.

This has done an amazing job for my cycles. I used to have cramps so bad that I would literally not leave my bed, and after a few months on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, I have had no problems with them. The first few months I felt sick and had cramps between cycles, spotting and such. BUT I PROMISE it goes away and after the first 3 or so months, I can't imagine having to go back to periods without this. I don't get the moodiness like I did before I took this, which is awesome. The only thing is, I used to only get one or two pimples a month or so, and I have had a few more on my face.

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Amanda

January 16, 2009

Pros:

Cleared acne, little to no mood swings, controlled period flow.

Cons:

Initial weight gain.

I'd been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for 4 years when my insurance provider switched, causing the price to rocket to about $65 a month. I switched to Trivora and have had a horrible time with it (acne, weight gain, mid-cycle cramps, fatigue, migraines). I'm switching back to Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo next month, as I've never had a bad experience with it. Although I'm not a doctor, I'd highly recommend it to women who don't do well on high dosages of hormones since this is a very low hormone birth control. I've been on about 3 others kinds since switching and Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo is the best from my personal experience.

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MNgirl

January 15, 2009

Pros:

Prevents pregnancy, regular periods, breast growth, free at a sexual health clinic such as Planned Parenthood.

Cons:

Not much of a change in acne severity and persistance, mild mood swings, breast tenderness.

It didn't help my acne as much as I hoped it would, but there are few negative side effects. Yes, it may cause mood swings and breast tenderness, but for me it was less severe than my natural cycle. I take it primarily for use as a contraceptive, but I was hoping less acne would be an added bonus. Every body is different, but it seems that some of the major side effects reported on this review board have been wrongly attributed to this pill.

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Rach

January 14, 2009

Pros:

Not pregnant

Cons:

Ortho Tri-Cyclen LO-Freaking expensive. No generic brand

Cost way to much....no problems. no weight gain or craziness or acne.

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Anna

November 20, 2008

Pros:

clear skin, fuller breasts

Cons:

nausua first inactive pills, feel like vomiting on lighter blue pills

I have been using this for 2 weeks so its too soon for me to say. I don't have bad skin to begin with, but it does help because since using this, I had about 2 pimples. BUT I did get bumps on the side of my cheeks but quickly dissapeared after a couple of days or so which was wierd. My breast doesn't feel "tender" yet but it did increase...and I'm not depressed but I do break down over stupid things. I'm not using this for pregnacy so I can't say wether it works or not..hmm what else...this is easy to swallow because its so tiny but do not take it on an empty stomach. oh yeah I got this for free at a clinic which is the best part!

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Marie

October 17, 2008

Pros:

No Back and Chest Acne, No Headaches, Regulated Periods, Bigger Boobs, No side Effects, No Weight Gain

Cons:

Acne on Chin.

I have been on OTC Lo for about 6 months now. I had lots of back acne and chat acne. I used it primarily not to get pregnant and for my acne. On the 1st month, I lost my back an chest acne. Now its soft as a baby. My boobs grew a little bit smaller. Breast Soreness does not bother me. My periods are regulated. The only problem I have right now, after 6 months of using it, is my facial acne. It is bothering me. Mostly on the chin. I will try to observe it for a month or two. If it will not work, ill switch to OTC regular. Higher estrogen helps cure acne.

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