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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April 7, 2008

Pros:

It keeps you from getting pregnant. I didn't even have a scare.

Cons:

MOOD SWINGS!!!

I'm normally a pretty carefree person and have a boyfriend for 2 and a half years that I love. I noticed just in 3 weeks that I seriously felt like I was taking crazy pills. I had never even considered breaking up with my boyfriend because he's amazing and then all of a sudden I'm flying into these rages because he was late from work, but he was only a little late. Normally that would be no big deal. Also, I go into these crying fits, in the last 2 years I have cried 2 times. In the last 3 weeks I've cried at least 5 times. I'm not normally an emotional, but this is rediculous. It wasn't just the boyfriend either, it was work, school...you name it.
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April 7, 2008

Pros:

shorter, lighter periods, less cramps, clearer skin.

Cons:

I experienced no side effects what so ever.

The pill took about 3 months to kick in fully. My skin started to clear up a bit in the first month and got better and better over the course of three months. I also did other things to help my skin and the products that I used were very simple and non-irritating. I had never had acne until 3 years ago (I'm 23) and experience no acne in my teenage years. I tried all the products out there including proactiv. But since my skin was not really oily at least on the surface, the typical acne products dried my skin and irritated it so much that breakouts worsened. The routine that I stick to and stand by has helped me skin ALOT. Cetaphil cleanser, Neutrogina One Less Stress gel, Clinique Dramatically Different moisturizing gel. Mario Bodescu drying lotion, applied with q-tips and St. Ives Appricot scrub used once to twice a week. Mario Bodescu Flower and Tonic mask used two times a week. My face is transformed. Within three months, I have the skin that I had three years ago
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April 4, 2008

Pros:

Regular/lighter periods, clearer complexion, larger bust size, no weight gain

Cons:

Regular mood swings (thank-you blue pills), nausea

Have used it for 4 years now, and like it overall. Have never had children and have never been pregant. I never gained weight and it did clear up my complexion, although I occasionally have one or two pimples right before my cycle starts. In order to prevent nausea, I take the pill at night; however, when I am woken up in the middle of the night, I definitely feel sick to my stomach. The only negative side that I could live without it the mood swings. My husband is a trooper!
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April 1, 2008

Pros:

....

Cons:

horrible periods, cramps, and acne at the end

Everyone I know on this pill now has a child. The only reason I don't is because I didn't use it as birth control. It did control acne a little but after a while the acne was unbelievable.
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March 31, 2008

Pros:

It definatly cleared up my acne!! I started seeing a difference in probably the fourth month..i used to get huge huge acne and now i get one or two..so much better!

Cons:

none..

definatly worked for me..but it depends on what works best for you
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March 27, 2008

Pros:

not pregnant, regulated period

Cons:

acne!!!

I've been on OTC Lo for four years. I've never missed a pill and my period always comes exactly when it is supposed to, and when it does it lasts like four days and the cramping is only the first day (much better than before!) But..my skin is a disaster. My chin always has a blemish, I can't leave the house without make up. I NEVER had acne before going on birth control. Sometimes it will clear up for a month, but it always comes back. :( I also feel sick on the white pills...always have since my first dose. It is also unreasonably expensive.
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March 26, 2008

Pros:

Taken it for 7 years no side effects or pregnancy. Light periods with no craps and knew exact day of my next period. Helps with acne.

Cons:

I just stopped taking the pill (trying to get pregnant) got a bad acne brake out.

This pill is great! Never had a problem or had to worry if it worked and if I was pregnant. Had very clear skin(didn't need makeup). I took it for 7 years with no side effects. One month a was given the wrong script for the pills. The other BC pill made me sooo sick I felt nausea all month. I was glad when I started taking Tri-cyclen again.
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March 24, 2008

Pros:

it really works in not getting pregnant

Cons:

Big belly, mood swings,tired, lots of acne, lack of oxygen and heart pains

it really works when it comes to not getting pregnant, but it makes you gain weight especially in your belly, lots of acne on my cheeks and chin, mood swings, over sensitive and very tired.
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March 24, 2008

Pros:

No babies, cleared skin at first, more regular periods

Cons:

Depression, weight gain, spotting, tender breasts, seemed to stop helping my acne, reduced sex drive

Other than mild mood swings, this pill seemed to work wonderfully at first. It started to clear my acne right away. I've always had irregular periods and this really helped to regulate them. After about 4 months I started spotting in between periods. I've always been pretty skinny and had a healthy sex drive, but after 3 months I started gaining weight (about 8lbs) and had a reduced sex drive. I've been taking the pill for about 7 months now and I've started experiencing bad depression where I'm crying nightly, can't get out of bed, and having mood swings. My breats are tender and it doesn't seem to be helping my acne anymore.
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March 22, 2008

Pros:

Seems to reduce acne.

Cons:

belly weight gain, more moody, swollen & sore breasts.

Don't need Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for birth control, husband is "fixed". I have had bad acne since being off birth control after the birth of my children. Nothing topical or over the counter fixed it. So the dr suggested the pill again. It is covered by ins. so hopefully the side affects will go away in a few more months. Otherwise, I may stop taking.
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