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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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 27, 2010

Pros:

- Breasts bigger (fill out my cups like I never did before)
- Regulated period
- Less acne
-Birth control

Cons:

None in my experience

When I was first considering ortho tri-cyclen for birth control, I read all the reviews and was super scared of the possible side effects (mood swings, weight gain, nausea, etc.), however, I've been on it for a month and a half now and I haven't experienced any of them. So far, I've had a great experience on it. It's also pretty fun having fuller breasts than I've ever had before. Based on my experience, I would HIGHLY recommend it.
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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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December 16, 2009

Pros:

No Babies. No when my period is going to start

Cons:

First month I was sleepy, and had headaches
Did not clear up my acne at all :(

I'm still taking it for the original purpose of blocking babies, but as far as it clearing up my acne nope not happening. I've been taking it for 7 months
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December 16, 2009

Pros:

clears up my skin, firmed up my breasts after pregnancy, controls my period to the t, easy to take

Cons:

slight nausea, higher dosage of hormones but controls not getting pregnant better than yasmin (which i became pregnant on)

great method, and best birth control out on the market that regulates and protects.
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February 22, 2011

Pros:

-Clears up acne well
-Period is slightly lighter
-Haven't gotten pregnant yet

Cons:

-Nausea (for the first 2 months, mainly in the morning)
-Cramping before period after about 2 months
-Constant mood swings

It's a good pill to take, not many physical side effects; protects you from getting pregnant. Only downside is the nausea but that goes away after a while. Another thing is the cramping, it can be bad sometimes...
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November 19, 2009

Pros:

did not get pregnant. no acne at all!

Cons:

i used to weigh 105 pounds then i go on this pill and i gained at LEAST 15 lbs.. absolutely no interest in sex, tired as hell, vaginal dryness, and towards 4 months on this dumb pill, i started to get really violently sick

sucks.. id rather see my dermatologist more often for my acne then deal with 15 lbs of weight gain.
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September 22, 2011

Pros:

Cleared up acne
Lighter periods
Predictable periods
Not pregnant!

Cons:

First month is pretty rough

The first month I had pimple breakouts, nausea, and severe headaches, but the second month was much better, and now in my fourth month using it, I don't have any bad side effects. My periods used to be very heavy and completely unpredictable, but now I (obviously) know when they start and I can even use Lite tampons on most days. My face completely cleared up also.
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July 14, 2011

Pros:

Cleared Acne

Cons:

Diarrhea
Mild Nausea
Vomiting

I went back on Ortho Lo because when I used it in college, it dramatically kept my skin clear. Of course, the first two weeks of taking the pill, my face exploded with huge, tender pimples. However, I am on week six and my skins looks flawless! I suffer from adult acne and heavy scarring but since I have not had a breakout in about a month, my skin is smooth and the old scars are fading. The issue now is that first - second week of every new pack leaves me feeling sick, experience rare vomiting and have diarrhea/stomach discomfort. So now, I have switched from taking the pill in the mornings to right before bed. That way, I skip all of the negative stuff. I will continue to take this pill based on the skin remedy alone.
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July 28, 2010

Pros:

No cramps
Very light period
No bloating
No mood swings
Clears acne

Cons:

None

Ortho tri-cyclen Lo is a great birth control contraceptive I recommend this to anyone who wants to start birth control. It clears up acne and is all around a good product.
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