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
December 28, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Cons:
A little nausea first month
Yasmin will vary from person to person, but for me, it worked great. My acne didn't really clear up until the second month, but now I have great skin. I had some nausea, but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND taking a B complex vitamin as birth control can deplete B vitamin supplies. I started to take B vitamins after two weeks and the nausea cleared up. Plus, I have great insurance, so I only have a $10 co-pay. Just remember that each person will react differently.
November 29, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
No more mood swings, acne cleared up, lighter periods, no cramps
Cons:
Heart palpitations, anxiety, depression, Insomnia, muscle twitches/nerve twitches, panic attack.
Took the pill for 3 months. In the first month I started to notice I was very anxious. In the second month I had developed heart palpitations and panic attacks at night, and into the third month I could no longer fall asleep due to heart palpitations, muscle/nerve twitches and had become depressed. I stopped taking the pill a week ago. Anxiety has dropped drastically, heart palpitations are limited to just night time, still having trouble sleeping - needed to get a sleeping pill, no longer depressed... My doctor thinks yasmin is unrelated, to the symptoms, but after reading yasminsurvivor forums, I disagree. Never taking Yasmin again. I'm sad because it worked so well on my mood swings and ease of cramps and menstruation. Different for everyone. Can always try and stop if you have the same problem.
November 26, 2008
Pros:
very light periods skin made my skin kind of clear
Cons:
bloatiness....and weight gain!! i've only been on it for less than a wk and i am craving everything!
Everyone is different and I just started...I just hope I do not gain like 20 pounds!
November 16, 2008
Pros:
Clear glowing skin. No more migraine headaches! like my other BC gave me ( Levlite 28). Rescued me from pregnancy! so grateful.
Cons:
slight weight gain, roller coaster emotions, you can get really nauseous taking these its best to take them before bed. Vivid dreams, 1 nightmare (haven't had one in years)
I like them! I will endure the side effects just as long as it continues to help my acne. This is ortho tri cyclen Lo.
November 10, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
none
Cons:
small tiny pimple acne rash on my chin since the first month i went on yasmin. mid cycle bleeding, loss of libido
i have never had acne in my life and since i went on yasmin 5 months ago i have had this acne rash on my chin in the same spot. To top it off this month i had and still have mid cycle bleeding and i have never had it in all my 33 years.its been 12 days and iam still spotting.i started to wonder about yasmin 3 months ago but wanted to give it a chance. i have 2 days left on this months pack and iam not continuing it. i want the bleeding to stop and the acne to stop.anyones else experince this problem?
November 4, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Clear Skin!!
Cons:
None
OCELLA WARNING!!!
I have been off BCP's for about a year. I am 33 and my skin has always been bad but not bad enough to go on Accutane (not to mention I woudn't ever considering the risks and my child bearing age). So I decided to go back on Yasmine. When I got to the pharmacy they wouldn't give me Yasmine - they gave me Ocella instead. I asked if there was a difference and they said no. One week later, a break out (major), hunger pains, and most of all major body aches. I am stopping the Ocella now and have demanded my doc to say NO substitutes for the Yasmine. Don't let them switch on you! There is no substitute for Yasmine!
November 3, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Increased libido
Cons:
Depressive moods
I have taken Yasmin for at least 3 or 4 years and since splitting up with my boyf, wanted to give my body a break and to see how it really is without the pill in my system so I came OFF it. I wish to god I hadnt!! My skin is SO awful, I feel like crying every single day. Ive avoided nights out because it makes me feel so insecure. I sit at work with people sat next to me, Im caked in make-up, and I can see them scanning my face. This in turn makes me feel anxious & upset, so this is probably adding to things. Im going straight back on Yasmin. Problem is, Im now really worried about what'll happen should I wish to become pregnant. I dont want to look or feel this bad!! Whilst on Yasmin, my skin was never perfectly clear, but it was much better.
November 1, 2008
Pros:
I didnt really have any problems with it not really any side affects and its affordable. Boobs got a little bigger.
Cons:
Did not help with my skin it actually made it WORSE!! Depression.
My face never broke out like it has now after i started taking this bc and it stresses me out a lot. I mean i like it other wise because i have no side affects. i had a few cramps but nothing horrible and shorter lighter periods !!
October 8, 2008
Pros:
i had very slight side effects, my boobs got a bit bigger, no cramps, had no increase in acne, and i know exacly when my period is coming.
Cons:
i had nausea with the pill for the first 2 months.
the pill works perfectly. although i didn't depend on the pill alone... condoms CAN break [and they have with me] but no babys!!!!
September 29, 2008
Pros:
my periods are extremley regular
Minimal cramping
Cons:
Not really sure how it affects my acne or sex drive (see bottom line)
TERRIBLE PMS. very hateful and angry.
I started taking the pill when I was 14. I had moderate/severe acne at the time. I've always had the same type of acne. No blackheads or whiteheads just pimples. I get a cyst maybe once every 6 months but it goes away within a week. When I started taking the pill my pimples were mainly on my cheeks, but i had a lot of them. My acne has never been as bad since, but I still have it. Now I would say its mild/moderate but it has relocated from my cheeks to my chin/jaw area. I cant say whether the pill had any affect on this as i was 14 at the time and am almost 20 now, its quite possible I have just outgrown the acne as I still have dealt with breakouts since then just not as severe.
Pros:
Acne cleared up, almost no cramps, not pregnant, lighter period