Acne.org Products
Hormonal Therapy
Efficacy
63%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Note: Improvement significantly increases after 24 weeks.
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.
Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
May 6, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Cons:
People always say that your acne will get worse before it gets better, I was on this pill for 9 months and my acne just kept getting worse. I broke out in places I never had before,
Bad for Acne, good for everything else.
April 22, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
much lighter periods, skin more or less clear
Cons:
more headaches, must be taken with food or else nausea/vomiting within minutes
I'm 29 now and have been on a variety of acne treatments since I was 15. Before Yaz, I spent 10 years taking Dianette and was reluctant to come off this as I found it so successful. Having said that I have been pleasantly surprised by Yaz. My skin is pretty much the same as it was on Dianette (more or less clear but regularly one or two spots) but an added bonus is much lighter periods - 24 hours literally, whereas both on Dianette and naturally I was always 5-7 days long.
I have experienced some headaches, though there were more at the start and I wonder in some ways was it a withdrawl from coming off the Dianette or just my body getting used to the new horomone combinations...otherwise I have found it fine, once taken with food. I have not had mood swings and though I have put on some weight recently I know myself that's probably down to an over-indulgence of easter eggs ;)
Would definitely recommend people to give Yaz a go - you never know what might work for you until you
April 15, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
increased sex drive, enlarged breasts, regulated mood
Cons:
nausea, minor weight gain, i usually have clear skin but have been breaking out moderately and my skin has been more oily then normal
I've been on it for three weeks and so far it's been just fine! The first few days my moods were so up and down! I was getting scared at how I would react to the medication, but now my body has gotten used to it and I love not having to worry about getting prego:)
about to get to week number 4, and hopefully my period will be okay, because i usually have severe cramps and mood swings.
April 1, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Less Mood swings, less Bloating, no acne very clear skin
Cons:
Chronic Yeast Infections, Very Low Sex drive, some weight gain just before period
I used to use Tri-cyclen lo and that made me gain tons of weight, and as well as the yeast infections every month, so i switched to yasmin and altough it is better in some ways i do have to take Preboitic pills while i'm on the pill to prevent from having yeast infections. so these are gone. i have also been taking herbal supplements for the low sex drive and they defintely work! but i'm thinking of getting of the pill all together just to see if my body goes back to normal!!!!!
March 28, 2009
Pros:
regular period, no mood swings, no pregnancy, acne is the same but its only the first month...hopefully it clears up!
Cons:
just got first period on it and threw up this morning and have had a headache for 24 hours. I'm not sure if this has anything to do with the pill. I was on ortho lo for awhile and never experienced any side effects.
overall its okay since I've read many reviews about women experiencing mood swings and I'm normal so far. so thats a good thing
March 25, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Clear Skin, Better moods, no weight gain, no babies, no PMS =)
Cons:
nothing!
I have tried at least 4 pills and this one is my favorite. I'm not planning on switching any time soon. Immidiatley after taking it I had lighter periods, which were SHORT too! My skin cleared up which had been a mess from ortho-tricyclen or whatever. No acne anywhere, i'm much happier, no weight gain, not light headed, i am just HAPPY! i forget i even have a period haha
give it at least a month because it works different for everybody and you body does need to adjust. free on my insurance too! good luck!
February 18, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
NO BABIES, SKIN IS SOFT, LOST WEIGHT.
Cons:
MY BOOBS HURT SO BAD, I DON'T HAVE THAT SEX DRIVE FOR MY HUSBAND AND I GET UP SET A LOT.
IT LOOKS AS IF ITS STARTING TO WORK FOR ME BUT ONLY TIME CAN TELL.
February 17, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Slows facial hair, lighter periods, bigger breasts
Cons:
Leg Cramps, moodiness, sadness, upset stomach for a week or so prior to my period, large cystic acne at times
Its worth it to me just to get rid of the facial hair and lighter periods
February 17, 2009
Pros:
Clearer Skin, Increased Sex Drive, NO Pregnancy!
Cons:
Extreme Moodiness, Bloating, Weight Gain, Very long period during first month (13 days)...
During the first month of using this pill (having never been on BC pills before) I immediately noticed a change in my appetite and mood swings. I was having cravings for the oddest things and would go from being my normal happy self to ready to murder within seconds. I had my period (ranging from spotting to very heavy) for about 13 days. I am working on my second month on the pill and have noticed that my appetite fluctiations have decreased, and maybe a slight decrease in mood swings but not enough of a decrease to keep me and my relationship happy. Speaking of relationship, I have noticed an increase in sex drive (even though I am moody and bloated half the time!) Bottom (bottom) line: my skin has cleared up (with the help of RX acne wash), sex drive is up, moodiness and weight gain are there... but are decreasing steadily.
January 1, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Yasmin - got rid of ALL acne, however Ocella made it worse
Cons:
None! Don't let pharmacy switch Yasmin to generic Ocella!
After being on Yasmin for over 3 years, the pharmacy gave me Ocella and after 2 months, I experienced the most horrific side effects. I broke out in severe acne, my period lasted over 10 days, I had constant cramping, and severe nauseau. After "giving it a chance" for 2 months, I called the pharmacy and demanded that they give me Yasmin back. I even switched mid-cycle because I refused to take another Ocella pill. All my other medication has been generic so I am not biased against generic medication, but for some reason, OCELLA IS DIFFERENT THAN YASMIN. I have never felt worse in my entire life. I can't wait for Yasmin to kick back in so I can feel normal again. Yasmin worked perfectly and I will never switch or allow the pharmacy to switch me again. My advice is to STICK with Yasmin - the minimal savings are NOT worth the side effects.
Pros:
No nausea, minimal weight gain (if any), and prevents pregnancy.