Oral Contraceptives
Results
Side Effects

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.

 [more]
3.5
1015
Read All About Oral Contraceptives
Compare To Other Treatments
5
22.7%
4
34.3%
3
21.2%
2
13.1%
1
8.8%

Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
February 25, 2008

Pros:

Prevents pregancy and cramps less painful

Cons:

Spotting, dizziness and nausea

Causes me 2 break out my thrid week, nausea(a lot in the white and light blue pills) and dizziness(the whole pack except for the green pills)....loss of appetitie(lost weight)...despite all these problems I think ortho lo does its job......
This Was Helpful

Report
February 23, 2008

Pros:

not pregnant. predictable periods. 98% clearer skin. doesnt make you feel sick.

Cons:

still 7day period. lowered sex drive. fatigue

ive been on tri-cyclen Lo for 2yrs now, its great.my periods are normal. my body handled it much better then some of the other pills ive tried. Instead of cramping for a week before, I now cramp 2-3 days before now. not complaining. Great for beginners.
This Was Helpful

Report
February 22, 2008

Pros:

no pregnancy

Cons:

I've been on my period for two weeks or more each both months and cramps throughout each period. Fatigue. Pretty irritating.

i've only been on for two months the Lo kind for two months now so i'm not sure what it's going to do later on. It was sorda cheap. I got it from planned parenthood. Acne on my forehead seemed to have gotten worse. Best of luck to you.
This Was Helpful

3 user(s) found this helpful

Report
February 20, 2008

Pros:

not sure yet.

Cons:

nausea, vomiting, stomach pains

ok my first day really sucked. My doctor told me to take two pills for my first time. i took them at 10:30pm with food. went to sleep at 12:00 still felt ok. around 3:30am i woke up and felt like vomiting. the pit of my stomach hurt and was turning. I ate bread and drank water, it helped alittle, but i didnt feel better until it was out of my system. I used the bathroom like 3 hours later. Then i finally fell asleep. It was the worse feeling ever.Im thinking of changing the time to afternoon. and i only taking one pill. im not giving up yet. wish me luck!
This Was Helpful

Report
February 20, 2008

Pros:

not pregnant. predictable periods, no cramps during periods, clear skin, bigger boobz (yay!),no weight gain. no change in libido ;P

Cons:

NONE!!

im on my 4th pack and im starting to see results!! i used to break out A LOT so ive decided to take OTC, the first couple of months were hell!! i brokeout even more... but ive read some reviews on this site and some people said it will start out bad but it will get better around the 3rd pack. so i kept taking it and whola!! my face is 99% clear!! i also eat healthy food and drink only water, soy milk, and 100% juice. i use a mixture of baking soda and cetaphil to wash my face twice a day, and put my fav. Obagi C10 after... now my skin feels like a baby's butt!! anyways, the results will differ depending on the person so just give it a try!!!
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
February 19, 2008

Pros:

Slight Skin Clearing, No Pregnant.

Cons:

Severe Migraines, Gained weight that wont go away, low sex drive,

Not worth it. although yaz was worse. my skin was decent and now its a wreck.
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
February 18, 2008

Pros:

regular period :)

Cons:

breakouts and tired...

I have been on ortho lo for about 6 weeks and my acne has gotten so much worse.. has anyone else experienced this? i was wondering if it will eventually get better? maybe i havent given it long enough to work... or maybe it starts off bad and then gets better? if anyone knows please help..
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
February 15, 2008

Pros:

Great skin! no pregnancy, short periods

Cons:

moodiness, migraines, low sex drive

I love that OTC helped my skin, I was on the lo dose version and never had a single pimple. The migraines were unbearable, the first day of my period and the last day, I would barely leave the house. I didn't realize it was due to the pill until reading the other reviews. I also just stopped taking it and my skin is AWFUL. I am hoping it gets better after things regulate. After reading some other peoples reviews I am hopeful that this terrible acne is just temporary. I was on OTC regular dose for about 3 years, then switched to Lo after a few month break. I had breakouts inbetween but about 2 weeks after starting the pill again, no more breakouts. I am trying to figure out if the migraines and low sex drive are worth the good skin? I almost think it is. Confidence or feel better? I feel bad leaving the house with this skin.
This Was Helpful

Report
February 15, 2008

Pros:

Cleared up hormonal acne completely, skin not oily, regulated period, prevented pregnancy, and gained some water weight at first but then lost weight.

Cons:

Had mood swings (b-vitamins can help though), and was nauseous (if taken without food)

I took Ortho tricyclen (regular) for a year and half then stopped taking it because I wasn't sexually active anymore. Ortho completely cleared my hormonal acne but after a month of stopping I noticed that my period was coming every 32-35 days. I've been off for 3 months now and my face looks like a wreck...damn androgrens!!! My doc put me back on the pill to help clear my face. My doc said it would but I just want to have confirmation from someone that's taken the pills. I'll be taking it as soon as my period starts...hope it works just as good as it did in the past. Has anyone gone off Ortho tricyclen then went back on...did it help clear up face the second time around?
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report
February 11, 2008

Pros:

Great skin!

Cons:

I'm knocked up!!!!!!!!!

I was twenty hours late on a pill in week one. I called the pharmacist and she said there was no need to use condoms. I just took the missed pill with my scheduled pill and went on my merry way. At the end of the month, my period never came and now I'M KNOCKED UP! I;m happily married so its not a huge deal but let me add...I was on ortho-novum for 5 years (missed pills all the time) and never got pregnant. I switched to ortho tri cyclen for the skin benifits but wish I would have kept the pimples!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 57 58 59 60 61 … 74
Next

Relevant Article(s):

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.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

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.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website