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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July 31, 2008

Pros:

It stops pregnancy if taken correctly.

Cons:

Makes you break out. I was on this birth control for a good 2 years. My skin was much clearer when i was not on it.

I think, depending on the person, bcp can actually make your acne WORSE instead of better. Maybe theres certain hormones in the bc that peoples bodies react differently to. After battling acne for 2 years i've gotten off bcp completely, (using other forms of protection) and in a week i already see the difference. I used to have occasional breakouts as a teen but when i look back, every time i would take bcp my complexion would got horrible. Get off the pill and use another method!!! at lease give it a try.
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July 31, 2008

Pros:

An effective birth control.clears skin completely.dont even have to use other treatments because it is controlling from inside to outside.

Cons:

some may experience normal nausea at first during first two or three months, but then it goes away.

I would recommemnd this pill for every woman, especially young girls struggling with acne.i have been suffering with back (cystic)acne since i was 15.it is 12 years later and i still struggle with back acne, but this ortho-tri-cyclen keeps everything clear all the time.
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July 31, 2008

Pros:

Not pregnant, semi-regulated periods.
No acene developed

Cons:

mood changes, aggressiveness, agitation, and length of periods

I switched to Ortho from LoEstrin because that did nothing to regulate my periods. The other thing that I am realizing is that I am WAY MORE EMOTIONAL, short tempered, and aggressive, and less sexual energy than when I switched or started on BCP. I have started to push my boyfriend away with my emotional changes and behavior. I also have longer periods than I did before I S started on BC. I think each person is going to be affected differently, so its important to know your baseline and ask others for their input.
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July 28, 2008

Pros:

not pregnant, clearer skin but still break out , alittle weight gain at first, regular/ predictable periods!!

Cons:

moood swings

overall i like it, it does what its advertised to do regulate periods and prevent pregnancy ... i just started taking doxycycline though for acne and it says it decreases the effect of birth control pills .. ugh that sucks it worries me a little
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July 27, 2008

Pros:

whatever

Cons:

breakouts

I have been using ortho tri cyclen low for about 5 or 6 years and I didnt get breakouts until abut 8 months ago and they wont go away. I was wondering if the birth control could start making me break out after that long of taking it. Has anyone else heard of that hapening?
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July 27, 2008

Pros:

Haven't gotten pregnant, bigger boobs

Cons:

Mood swings, hair growth, change in pigment, heavier and more painful periods.

Didn't work for me, doesn't mean it won't work for you. Talk to your doctor and tell him what you expect from birth control, he can recommend one thats right for you.
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July 24, 2008

Pros:

I am not pregnant! I used this for 6 years and the month I quit taking it - I got pregnant. So it works! And it cleared up my back acne (which also came back when I stopped taking the pill).

Cons:

None

Great product! It prevents pregnancy and clears skin.
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July 24, 2008

Pros:

clearer skin, bigger boobs, not pregnant, no cramps, regular periods

Cons:

gained a little bit of weight

i love it, everything works perfectly for me, no problems whatsoever.
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July 21, 2008

Pros:

nothing

Cons:

pregnancy mask, severe mood swings, terrible bloating, weight gain

terrible side effects, to much estrogen for ANYONE to ever take.
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July 21, 2008

Pros:

Light, very predictable periods, no cramps, no pregnancy.

Cons:

Depression, moodiness, don't feel like self. No change in acne.

Would not be on this unless I felt like I needed to for the meantime. Was put on it because of excessive bleeding during periods causing numerous fainting spells. Definitely thinking about going off birth control~! Hate it, mind feels very uneasy.
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