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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January 11, 2011
The best thing I can say for Ortho Tricyclen (I went on the low dosage pill) is that it was extra protection against pregnancy when I was sexually active, and it was free because it was covered by my insurance. The worst thing I can say for this pill.... well quite frankly there's a lot of negatives. While taking the pill I broke out even more than usual, and that was in the first 3 weeks of taking it, when I was being super careful not to miss a day. The pimples would come up in areas I didn't usually experience acne- my cheeks, and it came up worse than ever on my T zone. When I started accidentally missing days, or taking the pill at different times, it got much worse. My period would restart and I'd have up to 3 periods in a month which obviously messed up my hormones- I started breaking out worse than I ever had. I know it was my fault, but I'm naturally a forgetful person & making sure I always took the pill at the EXACT same time every day was difficult for me. The worst part about this pill, however, was that it caused me to become absolutely lifeless. Honestly, it completely warped my personality/mental state to the point where I would try to do my favorite things and would feel absolutely no point in doing anything- it was like I could no longer experience happiness. I've been depressed before due to going through certain life experiences, but this depression was unnatural and pretty frightening. I couldn't stop it and it was getting so bad that I eventually I just weaned myself off of the medication. Point is: if you're the type of person who takes a long time to get used to a routine or regimen, this is not the medication for you... even on a low dosage. Be careful, and make sure to look out for symptoms of depression.
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November 19, 2010

Pros:

prevents pregnancy
less bleeding during menstruation
less cramping

Cons:

worst breakout of my life

I had relatively clear skin for most of my life, but occasionally would still get a pimple or two, mostly near my period. For some stupid reason I was not satisfied and asked the clinician to prescribe me a pill that would help me with acne. She prescribed Ortho Tri-Cyclen and I used it for 2 months and now have the WORST ACNE of my life. Since I have never had an acne problem before, I have no idea how to handle this. The cystic acne I now have is physically and emotionally painful. When I go out and see someone I know, I will actually go out of my way to avoid them seeing me. I have to see old friends and family for the holidays and have no idea what I am going to do.
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October 26, 2010

Pros:

controlled break outs sometimes, regular periods

Cons:

Took for 9 months without missing a dose in addition to having PCOS, I am PREGNANT!
-Mood swings
-depression
-weight gain
-spotting

I would not use this medication alone to prevent pregnancy, also use condoms for 100% effectiveness. Was on this for 9 months without missing a dose, the first night my husband comes back from afghanistan we conceive a child. I'm switching to the patch. Be careful with this drug.
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September 21, 2010

Pros:

Kept my skin relatively clear.

Cons:

Lots of side effects.

Be careful when taking birth control! If you are only using it to clear acne, I would strongly recommend a different route. I was only 27 when I was diagnosed as suffering from a CVST (cerebral venous sinus thrombosis) stroke, brought on by the hormones in my birth control. Venous MRIs found 5 blood clots in my head. I followed the instructions, did not smoke, and took a pill the same time everyday. I knew that stroke was a possibility, but since I didn't smoke and lived a healthy lifestyle I was told not to worry overmuch. Should not have listened to that! Now I'm on blood thinners for the foreseeable future, another poison in my body but better than the alternative.
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August 9, 2010

Pros:

- Not pregnant.

Cons:

- Headaches - at least once a day.
- Nauseous the first few days after the white pill.
- Moody - especially during 'that time of month'.
- Decreased libido - worst of all cons, I must admit!
- Went from having no acne, to fairly terrible acne - second worst side effect!
- Extra sensitive - I am sensitive, but this just REALLY added on to it.

This may be how my body is reacting to this pill and it may be different for you. I am just writing this to warn you that it may do the same to you. At the beginning of the second pack, I started having acne breakouts. I don't usually breakout. And, it may be a side effect that will disappear within time. However, now that I am starting my third pack, the acne has become cystic-like. Quite painful and it is not pleasant to look at. Let me also add, that my libido decreased significantly. It only increases when I'm on the sugar pills, which I find strange, but it makes sense since I am not taking-in horomones from the pill at the time. Isn't it the point to take the pill so you can have sex when you wish? I don't want to get pregnant, but I also do not wish to have my sex drive taken from me. Also, headaches have become frequent. I know everyone has the luxury of having a headache from time to time, however, it is not healthy to have headaches this much. Ever since I started Tri-Cyclen lo, I receive headaches AT LEAST once a day. Sometimes they get pretty bad. I am seeing a doctor for advice about this, because this product may not be right for me. If the doctor believes that it's still safe to continue using this pill, I will remain taking it until my last pack (three more packs left). I will report here for my final recommendation on November 1st, 2010 :) (that will be my fifth month marker) I do not wish for anyone to go through this. If it improves, great, I'll recommend it for the "patient-hearted". If it does not, well, then I'll strongly advise you not to take this product. For now, I warn you to proceed taking this pill with caution. Thank-you, Teresa.
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June 29, 2010

Pros:

Smooth, nice skin

Cons:

weight gain, moodiness, lack of sex drive

For starters, this drug ROCKS for my skin and that's the only positive. I maybe get a white head once in a blue moon. But, I've been on this pill for 4 years and have noticed some significant changes. My sex drive, for the most part, has steadily decreased to the point that I do not even want to be touched by my husband. I've gained a solid 20lbs that won't come off on a 1500 cal diet and daily exercise. I lastly feel like I'm the worlds biggest psycho when it comes to mood changes. Overall, 4 years later I feel completely different from the person who married my husband. I don't recommend this pill to anyone.
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April 26, 2010

Pros:

1. No babies
2. Skin less oily

Cons:

1. Very very moody and emotional
2. Gained weight
3. uncontrollable appetite
4. Didn't really help acne

I changed from Yasmin to Ortho because my insurance wouldn't cover the Yasmin. What a mistake! I felt awful on the Ortho. I was an absolute emotional wreck for about a week around my period. Constantly crying, pretty much couldn't function. I usually don't have any symptoms at all so that was really abnormal. I also couldn't stop eating everything in site. It was like i was never full. So needless to say i gained a few pounds. I'd rather pay for the Yasmin then deal with this for another month.
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March 30, 2010

Pros:

my breasts got fuller

Cons:

My breasts were super tender. I had mild acne before starting this birth control, and it got worse.. I had more acne than ever after two weeks of my first pack.. I ended up getting pregant during the 3rd pack, but I think it's just because I was on medication which interacted with the pills effectiveness.

I was on Tricyclin Lo for a year when I was 17 and I had no side effects. I'm 25 now, had a baby when I was 21 and these pills didn't work for me this time around.
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March 15, 2010

Pros:

i never got pregnant by accident!

Cons:

did nothing for acne, gained weight, extremely decreased libido

i took tricyclen for 15 years because it was the only hormonal acne treatment on the market until yaz and the like came out. well, it did nothing for my acne whatsoever but i stayed on it for the BC effects. after going off it before switching to yaz, my breasts were firmer, i actually had a sex drive, and i lost about 13lbs.
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January 27, 2010

Pros:

slightly bigger breasts...at first

Cons:

worse acne, weigh gain, bloating, tiredness

i was hopeful to start this as it was my first birth control pill, my mild acne flared up within the first 2 weeks but i stuck it out. unfortunately it only got worse and after the alloted 3 months i switched to YAZ, which i have been on for 2 weeks and my skin has already started to improve. also no weird mood swings or deperssion that alot of people have claimed to have. good luck, but try yaz.
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