Hormonal Therapy
Reviews
3.3
2743 Reviews
Hormonal Therapy
Efficacy
63%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Note: Improvement significantly increases after 24 weeks.
Hormonal Therapy
Side Effects
High
Hormonal Therapy
Acne.org’s Real World Take
Any brand of oral contraceptive appears to clear the skin about the same amount, regardless of whether it is officially approved for acne treatment. Some people report complete clearing of acne symptoms and others see partial relief. However, artificially controlling your hormones is a serious decision, so it’s best to proceed with caution.
Hormonal Therapy
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Read All About Oral Contraceptives
Compare To Other Treatments
5
19.7%
4
30.4%
3
21.8%
2
16%
1
12%

Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
January 3, 2008

Pros:

jumped a cup size in my boobs, shorter periods, clearer skin, no pregnancy!!

Cons:

EMOTIONAL breakdowns that come out of no where, bloating, upset stomach if i do not eat, change in appetitite (increased)

I have been on this pill before when i was 15 (i am now 21) and overall i think its a good pill, but the emotional breakdowns and bloating are sometimes too much to handle. The bloating seems to never go away!! anyone else experianced this? Plus, my periods have been very short compared to normal and VERY light. Not sure if this is completely normal with being on the pill.
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October 21, 2007

Pros:

regulated menstral cycle, pregnancy prevention

Cons:

not helping the acne as i had expected

i have been on orthotricyclen for three or four monthes now, i thought it would clear up my acne because the doctor at planned parenthood told me so but it hasn't helped much. i still have regular breakouts im 19 and have had a problem with acne since my sophmore year of highschool.
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September 26, 2007

Pros:

clear skin, hormones regulated, no pregnancy, regular period, emotional stability

Cons:

cant think of any

ive been taking yaz for over a year and i think it works pretty good. i havent gotten pregnant, my skin is more clear than ever, and i feel more emotionally stable than i have in a long time. some people dont like it becauswe it doenst agree with them. ibut if you think about it, different birth control doesnt different things for different people. some peop;le love ortho tri cyclin - BUT IT MADE ME A COMPLETE PSYCHO! lol. i would recommend yaz to anyone. honestly, i like yasmin better but apparently yaz is the lower dose of the same thing. i want more! lol
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September 3, 2007

Pros:

Weight loss (about 5 lbs), acne clearing up

Cons:

Mood swings, cramps

I switched to Yasmin after unsuccesfully being on Orthotricyclin for 5 months to clear up my acne- it made me break out horribly! and I was also really depressed. I've been on Yasmin for a little over 2 months and have to say its a lifesaver. My skin broke out bad the first month (little bumps all over my forehead and check, nose area) but now its clearing up and almost gone. On the negaitve, I've become very irritable and I get angry and upset quickly, I hope that goes away or gets better- but its not bad enough to stop taking it. I was tired and lathargic the first month I took it but thats pretty much gone away. The one major draw back for me is the price. $58 a month! But because its gotten rid of the acne I had since high school (I'm 20) I think its worth it for me and I'm going to continue taking it.
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August 28, 2007

Pros:

Makes my GF's breasts bigger. (increasing my sex drive/desire)

Cons:

Makes my GF's mood rollercoaster-ish and extremely moody (decreasing my sex drive/desire)

I dont suffer from acne, and I'm not even a girl. I am the loving boyfriend of a 1-2 month Yasmin user. I would like to sincerely thank every girl who has spoken out about their personal experience with Yasmin as it relates to mood swings. After a few fights that seemingly avalanched out of nowhere, I noticed there was something different about my up-to-this-moment perfect girlfriend. After a little research, i came across this great site and showed my girlfriend the effect this pill can have. Thankfully, she has agreed to drop the "devil's pebble" (as I call it) as soon as her cycle is over this week! I can't wait to get back to the relationship we had before she began taking this birth control. Im not saying this is a bad drug, everyone is different and you'll just have to try it and see for yourself. But please be aware that no matter what type of person you are, this MAY have a deep impact on your personal/intimate relationships. Thanks again for saving a great relationship
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August 23, 2007

Pros:

none

Cons:

YEAST INFECTIONS.

never had a yeast infection in my life and i've had 3 since starting this pill last summer. if you've ever had a yeast infection before, then you know that it is such a horrible, painful, frustrating experience.
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August 7, 2007

Pros:

kept me from getting pregnant and make a few pimples go away.

Cons:

didnt completely clear my skin, it make me completely moody, felt sick after taking it, makes your period really thick and goopy.

its nice for preventing pregnancy but it will give you terrible mood swings and you'll be a in a bad mood most of the time, i stopped taking it 3 days ago and i feel like my normal happy self again. recommend it for pregnancy prevention but not for acne
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June 27, 2007
I just wanted to post this letter because I have seen more than a few women referring to Yasmin as YAZ. They are two separate drugs and only sound similar. They are not the same medication.
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June 22, 2007

Pros:

Better skin, no weight gain, regular period

Cons:

not until I stop taking it; the worst acne of my life

I was on the pill for over 5 yrs, just stopped 5 months ago. I had no side effects while I was on the pill, but now I have the worst acne of my life. I have acne all over my face, neck and entire upper back. I wish I had done enough research 5 yrs ago before I decided to start taking Yasmin. Ladies, you have been warned!!
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March 11, 2007

Pros:

clearer skin

Cons:

depressed

i've put up with acne for years and i had tried strong antibiotics and proactive for my skin and none of this worked. my doctor put me on yasmin which i have been on for about 4 months now, my skin had started to clear up really well with just some scars which i thought would clear up over time, but now im starting to break out again and after reading reviews on here im worried im going to get proper acne again and im especially worried about when i stop taking yasmin now! i don't know whether to just stop taking it after reading these reviews?
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.