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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4
34.3%
3
21.2%
2
13.1%
1
8.8%

Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

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October 5, 2008

Pros:

Regulates period

Cons:

Weight gain and more breakouts.

My GYN put me on OTC lo to help with my severe acne breakouts that the dermetologist couldn't clear. The pill at first cleared my face up but my breakouts have returned on my face. Also, the acne on my body (chest and back) never cleared up and looks as bad as it always has. I have also had increase hunger and have gained at least 10lbs.
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October 3, 2008

Pros:

I had no side effects with this!

Cons:

the generic is cheaper but not the same!

I have switched to many kinds and this one is the best!
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October 1, 2008

Pros:

Lighter periods, and less cramps

Cons:

Made me gain a bit of weight that ortho cyclen doesn't. Face started to break out again.

I got off this pill because I wanted to skip my periods. It worked pretty well for only using it a month.
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October 1, 2008

Pros:

Clearing up skin, I will finally be able to regulate when my period comes

Cons:

Tender and sore breast, Made me break out horribly at first, moodiness

I am on Ortho LO. I took this pill specifically for my acne. At first It broke me out horribly. I know it was from the pill because I woke up with pimples on my forehead and under my chin in addition to the normal places. After that initial breakout my skin has been clearing itself since then. I didnt want to resort to taking birth control pills but I have been suffering from acne since I was 13 and have been through many products. My skin is still clearing itself, but this is the best it has looked in years. The main con is sore and tender breast, I can barely touch them! And there were a few days where I have felt moody, but im not depressed or anything. When it broke me out I was going to go off, give it time to work! When most people write reviews, its to complain, so make sure you read this.
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October 1, 2008

Pros:

I have defintly cleared up alot. I was put on the pill along with oral antibiotics ans started using dermalogica, all this has serouisly helped and I have hardly any acne now, but scarring. I'm also using it as contraception so its convienient

Cons:

Had a few headaches when I started on it! Doubles your chances of heart desease and blood clots.

its cheap, convenient if you dont want babies but want to have sex and its improves your skin sifnificantly. Its also known to regulate periods and made mine alot lighter!! Cant complain!
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September 29, 2008

Pros:

my periods are extremley regular
Minimal cramping

Cons:

Not really sure how it affects my acne or sex drive (see bottom line)
TERRIBLE PMS. very hateful and angry.

I started taking the pill when I was 14. I had moderate/severe acne at the time. I've always had the same type of acne. No blackheads or whiteheads just pimples. I get a cyst maybe once every 6 months but it goes away within a week. When I started taking the pill my pimples were mainly on my cheeks, but i had a lot of them. My acne has never been as bad since, but I still have it. Now I would say its mild/moderate but it has relocated from my cheeks to my chin/jaw area. I cant say whether the pill had any affect on this as i was 14 at the time and am almost 20 now, its quite possible I have just outgrown the acne as I still have dealt with breakouts since then just not as severe.
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September 26, 2008

Pros:

i felt I actually lost weight, less appetite, nothing else changed

Cons:

few mood swings, few breakouts (but im hoping it's not from this), and taking it the same time everyday is mad annoying!

I like it, its not bad. I'm gonna use it for a few more months, i dont want BABIES!
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September 24, 2008

Pros:

no bebes, less acne, no noticeable weight gain or loss, the boobs were roughly the same size, maybe a smidgen more

Cons:

moodiness? can't tell if it was attributed to the pill or the new bf, as they both started at the same time.

i liked it. this is for tricyclen regular, not lo. Lo make me bleed for two weeks. Regular gave me a slightly longer period, a full week instead of the 5 days I used to have it, but there was no in between spotting and it wasn't that heavy. *my costs were extremely low because i had college insurance and then i got a year's worth for free at planned parenthood.
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September 21, 2008

Pros:

less acne, lighter periods, less cramping

Cons:

increase in appetite, weight gain

It's definitely helped my acne, but I've gained 10 pounds (possibly water retention, though) in the year I've been on it and am constantly hungry if I don't pop an Adderall with it, despite never having any weight problems before. Personally I'm going off it for a month to see if I lose the desire to eat everything in sight, but if you're active enough to stave off weight gain, I recommend this. Also, studies have shown that gaining more than 5% of your starting body weight while using birth control can be a sign of a tendency toward insulin resistance or abnormal glucose metabolism ([link removed] If you have problems with weight gain or increased sppetite while taking birth control, try switching to a low-carb diet (me, I like bread too much).
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September 21, 2008

Pros:

Keeps You From Getting Pregnant

Cons:

None

Okay ive used OTC Fror 3years and I have no complaints.. i think all of u are just acting like little girls. How come everyone always has something bad to say about a product when u still continue to use it? Ok maybe is u have alot of acne then more than likely its just that u have bad jeans.. ever thought of that.. so suck it up lloronas
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