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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Danielle

July 28, 2012

Pros:

-Boobs grew
-Lighter and shorter period
-Appetite changed (barely hungry)
-No weight gain
-Cleared skin
-Increased sex drive

Cons:

-None so far

Its working greatly for me although some of my pros may be considered cons. Everyone is different I have a friend on the same pill and she is feeling complete opposite.

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Becca

July 7, 2012

Pros:

Breast Cup size increased
Very little to no Acne
Did not lower libido
Protects against pregnancy

Cons:

Very tender/sensitive breasts
Slight weight gain (no more than three lbs)

Based on some of the negative reviews, I was very skeptic of Ortho Tri-Cyclen at first. Just because you read a few bad reviews that doesn't necessarily mean those pros and cons will apply to you. Everyone's body is different, and if you decide to go on this pill then wait at least four months until you make the decision to change it. I've been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for about four months now (going on five), and at first I wanted to call it quits because of how terrible my acne got! Then little by little it began to disappear. Now the only time I break out (which is barely) is around the time I menstruate. Your breast cup does increase by half a cup to a cup size gradually, however, I noticed that my breasts became very tender. Hopefully that will go away within a few more months? Not entirely sure, but if so I'd still stick with it. It helps protect you against pregnancy in the long run, so why not? In fact, it feels as if my libido has increased, Haha. You gain very little to no weight, really. It goes away with diet and exercise, and that's all to it. I got Ortho Tri-Cyclen at Planned Parenthood for free through my health insurance.

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Jennaaaay

June 26, 2012

Pros:

+ Acne chilled out
+ Not much weight gained
+ Periods are lighter
+ Not very severe cramps (which is why I was put on it)

Cons:

- RETAIN A LOT of water if I screw up a pack (Missing a pill or taking one kind of late)
- The water weight makes me puffy :
- Missing a pill or taking one late = Constant breakout until a week before my next period

Well, I was put on this pill after being on LoSeasonique (TERRIBLE PILL that made me breakout all over my legs and face). I had horrible cramps so I was put on it. Then I was put on OTCL for cramps AND acne. It had the side effects in the first two months, but I knew it would take some time. Soon, my acne chilled out and my cramps were very little. My "flow" was very light as well and it is really nice knowing when your period is coming. Mine usually last for like 4 or 5ish days. A downside I learned the hard was whenever I would take a pill late or miss one the next month (or pack) would cause me to breakout and retain water. My breakout would last until the week before the placebo pills and I would start retaining water.

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angedumusique

June 20, 2012

Pros:

+helps with acne
+weight stayed the same
+no cramps
+period is like clockwork every month

Cons:

-initial breakout for first few months
-mood swings first few months
-period is still 5 days

I am on month 7 and I am just now starting to see the results. Some bodies take longer than others to adjust. The initial breakout wasn't too bad but there were some months that were wore than others. My weight has remained the same. I read how some people try to work it off and can't, in my case I have lost weight while working out and eating right. My mood swings have subsided for the most part but they were never unbearable. I only experienced nausea the first month so that went away as well. I recommend it but give it 6-7 months before you switch. I was on LoEstrin 21 for 4 months and it was consistently bad then OTC just came in and had to clean the mess so that may have attributed to it taking so long to show results. Give it a try for sure if you think/know you have hormonal acne.

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Maddy

June 15, 2012

Pros:

- Cleared most acne
- Shorter, lighter periods
- $7 for a 3 month supply!

Cons:

- Gained about ten pounds and my boobs grew a cup size
- First three months were bad

I completely recommend Ortho Tri-Cyclen to clear your acne. Just a warning, the first three months were VERY difficult. I initially tried to take my pill right before bed to avoid the hunger I heard about, but it didn't prevent the hunger - it just woke me up in the middle of the night with a horrible feeling like extreme hunger. So, I started taking it at noon right before lunch and that fixed everything. I also felt my mood get very weird, like indescribable. I almost stopped, but when a girl I knew said it took her three months to get used to it, I decided to stick it out. It's not like it's impossible, so don't think your mood is going to get so bad you can't stay on it. After about those three months, my mood was back to normal and my skin is SO much clearer. I can now take the pill right before bed and have no bad side effects - or any at all. I also gained about 10 pounds, but I think it is preventable. I am 5'7" and before I started I was about 118 lbs - after being on it about 5 months I was about 128. However, I also had just started college and my diet was poor, and I also wasn't on the strict workout regimen I was before going on the pill. Altogether, I think I can lose the weight by getting back on my workout and diet regimen, it just won't be AS easy as without the pill. But it's not impossible! Lastly, my boobs grew from a 32D to a 32DD... which I'm not happy about. It's annoying to have to buy new bras, but it's worth it for the great skin effects. I'm sure they'll shrink when I'm back off it anyway. BOTTOM LINE: I completely recommend Ortho Tri-Cyclen, ESPECIALLY if you have tried other medicines that don't work. I've gone through one antibiotic pill that worked and then stopped after about a year, one that never worked, and then another that worked alright. Finally I asked my dermatologist for the pill, because I kind of knew mine was hormonal due to my breakout patterns. Now I only get a few little zits when

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Victoria

April 25, 2012

Pros:

* bigger breasts
* clearer skin
*predictable periods
* mild cramps

Cons:

Bad initial breakout first 2-3months

Weight gain/ increased appetite

This is my second time on this birth control. First time I took it was bc I had broken out soo bad from coming off the depo shot... not knowing that my body went haywire due to the shot.. so my doctor agreed to put me back on bc but this time in orthotricylen for skin benefits. I didn't experience an initial breakout bc my acne was already severe from coming off the shot.. so into my 5th month is when I started seeing results.. I stopped the medication the begining if month 6 of last year 2011 Soo... my skin stayed clear for 2 months so I was thinking maybe I won't breakout anymore... I was soo wrong I started getting nodules on my jawline and pustules so I finally decided to get back on ortho and experience a bad initial breakout covering entire jawline and chin area, then moved up to my cheeks, at this point I was regretting stopping in the first place I couldn't even see my current bf at the time bc it was that bad! But I stuck it through bc I knew I would eventually clear up! It just takes time and patience.. now I have some sits but not like it use to be.. so if you are willing to give this bc a try give it 3-5 months.. i am on month 6 and I'm finally starting to feel confident again!! :) GOOD LUCK GALS! :)

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Ginny

March 24, 2012

Pros:

--Clearer skin, less breakouts
--Less oily skin
--Predictable cycle
--No pregnancies

Cons:

--Initial breakout

I just finished my third month on Ortho, and I am finally having more clear days a month than days with acne. I did get a pretty bad initial breakout the third week in during my first month, but after that cleared I haven't got a horrible breakout since. I do get a few pimples the week before my period, but my skin is usually breakout free the rest of the time. My boyfriend has been complimenting me on my skin lately, so I can tell it's working. Also, I've noticed that my skin is less oily throughout the day which is nice because I don't have to reapply powder as much. I didn't have any side effects that the other girls on here seemed to have trouble with. No nausea, bad cramps, headaches, weight gain, etc... I am a little disappointed my boobs didn't get bigger, but oh well, at least my skin is looking nice :)

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rebecca

March 8, 2012

Pros:

No acne
Breasts grew!
decrease in oily hair

Cons:

Risk of blood clot
slight weight gain
long periods

I had terrible acne before taking ortho tri cyclin low. i was covered in it. had severe cystic acne all over my back. this has been a miracle drug for my acne. within a week it was almost all gone. although this helped me, i wish i could go off it. there is a risk of blood clots. also, i tried to stop taking it for 3 days and just 3 days without it made me have insanely greasy hair (which i never had before....) and a bunch of acne. tbh, id try this medicine if nothing else has worked. its worth a try... but be aware of the risks.

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jessie

March 2, 2012

Pros:

Not Pregnant
Shorter, lighter period
Boobs slightly bigger
Acne cleared up
No weight gain
Greatly reduced cramping

Cons:

Crave food (which caused me to eat a bunch of chocolate and my chin broke out severely for a week)
More emotional

I'm pretty happy I started taking Ortho :)

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Shoshana

February 16, 2012

Pros:

Helps with periods
Acne has cleared
Prevents Pregnancy

Cons:

Migraines
Nausea & Abdominal Cramping

I went on this pill hoping for regular periods & less acne, and it's done a great job for that. However, since I started the pill, I have been having a couple of bad headaches here and there, and nausea with cramping. I guess when it comes to the hormones, it differs to the individual. I don't have a problem with remember when to take it, I usually take it in the evening after dinner.

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