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 20, 2009

Pros:

not pregnant, regular periods.

Cons:

acne, depression, SERIOUS mood swings, random emotional issues, not myself, according to my boyfriend im a bitch now, random stomach pains, dizziness, panic attacks, all i wanna do is eat, headaches, major mood swings

As for preventing pregnancy, it gets the job done. But it's up to you if you wanna deal with the side effects. I'm already a mom, and my doctor put me on birth control after havin my baby.....and trust me, we have had MANY close calls where i would normally be pregnant, but my pills prevented it. it just depends on what you're looking into birth control for...like what is your soul purpose
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April 16, 2009

Pros:

Helped acne a little.

Cons:

SEVERE mood swings (irritable, angry at everything, sensitive,
depressed), cystic acne on jawline and chin, light acne on neck, weight gain (5-10lbs), BLOATED, FATIGUED, cravings, sore boobs, contact irritation, this pill makes you a psycho beotch

So, basically I don't recommend this pill to anyone! It didn't help much with my acne, its cleared up a little bit, but it it's also made me break out in cystic acne on my jawline and chin, and its leaving brownish scars! I'm SO upset! I've been on this almost 3 months now, and I HATE the way it makes me feel! I have horrible mood swings, one minute I'm my happy self and the next I become so enraged I want to kill someone! I say awful things to people, and don't even realize what I am saying! Another HUGE issue is I gained a lot of weight! My highest weight was 125, and I am usually 114 (at 5'4), so I gained 9 lbs!! AND its gotten SO bad for me, that I've actually started to count my calories, measure my food, and increase my cardio and strength training. I run for like an 1 hr to 1.5 hrs and my weight wont even budge! Ive luckily been able to lose 5 lbs but thats maintained for months now. Another major side effect; I feel very tired, lifeless and like I have no energy. It SUCKS!
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April 15, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up body acne

Cons:

Mood swigns, horrible break outs on both cheeks.

I have suffered from some acne since I was a teen. I am 24, going on 25 and still get the same acne on my back and chest but not too bad on my face. I was on YAZ for a few and it was the best thing ever...I did not get a single pimple anywhere. I got off it because I don't like to take pills and I felt sick in the mornings (nausea). After getting off I began breaking out so I decided after 5 months to go back on YAZ...I began getting horrible leg pains and breakouts even after three months of use so I stopped.A month later my OBG gave me ortho lo..I just began my third month and I am breaking out like crazy...Please someone tell me this will stop soon. Any recomendations...I'd highly appreciate it.
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April 14, 2009

Pros:

Didn't get pregnant, cleared up acne for the first 6 months

Cons:

5 lb weight gain in the beggining, severe acne breakout after 6 months of being on the pill. Painful, heavy periods.

I liked it at first but my acne went from one or two a month to 10-15. Too expensive for negative results.
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April 13, 2009

Pros:

Didn't get pregnant

Cons:

Went from occasional to moderate acne. Major mood swings. Angry all the time. Depressed. Frustrated. Sore boobs. Cravings.

I don't think I've ever had something break me out so bad. I am 27 y.o and still suffer from the occasional hormonal breakouts. Well I went on regular Ortho with the hope that it would help with my hormonal acne. WRONG! The left side of my face has about 8 under the skin cysts, and my chin and cheeks have about 20 small, flesh colored bumps..clogged pores I guess. I went from working on the marks left from old breakouts, to dealing with a lot of pimples again! I am so frustrated. OH yeah and did I mention I turned into a psycho! My poor boyfriend threw away the pills because he couldn't handle the pill turning me into someone he didn't know anymore. So sad! No more chemicals for me, I will take the inconvienence of condoms for now on.
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April 1, 2009

Pros:

Was on Ortho Tri Lo: Less Cramps & Shorter Periods-Whats better that, or CYSTIC ACNE?

Cons:

Cystic Acne almost immediatlely.

Had numerous visits to the Dermatologist. Horrible cysts that wont heal and left scars. Switched back to Yaz after 3 months on it. Ready to get off of that as well, although my face cleared up immediately after switching back.
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March 10, 2009

Pros:

Nothing

Cons:

Caused me to have anxiety and break out in cystic acne

This pill may not work for everyone.. It can cause acne in some! My skin was pretty clear until I switched over from regular Ortho to this pill. I broke out in cysts which I haven't had in YEARS. I thought it might just be because it was the first month.. So here I am on Month 4 and now on a month into Accutane also. Switching back asap!
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March 2, 2009

Pros:

no mood swings

Cons:

EXTREME NAUSEA, Weight Gain, Water Retention, Major Acne Breakouts, Extreme Breat Tenderness.

The Nausea was so bad I had to stop taking them. the only thing I liked about the pill was I had no mood swings. "the pill" works differently on everyone so it may work for someone else... this wasn't for me.
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February 15, 2009

Pros:

Cleared my skin and stopped spotting between periods

Cons:

I gained 10lbs in 2 weeks and had sever nausea every day.

I only took Ortho Tri-Cyclen for 2 months and decided the horrible nausea and weight gain were not worth it. Now I exercise every day and try to eat better but I can't lose the 10lbs. It just won't budge at all. I just want to cry. My clothes all fit too tight. I will never do that to my body again. I even read all the horror stories and decided to go for it anyway. What a mistake.
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January 12, 2009

Pros:

Ortho Tri-Cyclen LO is great. I was on that before and had no side effects whatsoever. I definitely recommend pills with low estrogen. But, everyone's body is different, so you just have to try and see what works for you...

Cons:

Hi, just trying to get the word out about the terrible side effects of Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I was taking the generic version of it, Mononessa, and experienced SEVERE depression. I also had an increased appetite and crazy mood swings. Made me psycho.

After getting off of the Ortho Tri-Cyclen (Mononessa), I am now on Lutera (which I think is supposed to be the equivalent of Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo). I just started my first pill today, so hopefully this one works better for me! If you have any questions about birth control, feel free to email me: brit101903@[link removed]. I'm not a doctor or anything; just someone with a lot of personal experience! Good luck, Brittany
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