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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Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

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February 8, 2008

Pros:

i am on lo, and it gave me the best periods of my life! my periods would last up to 12 days, and now they are about 3 days. i could not be happier. it also prevents pregnancy wonderfully!

Cons:

i get migranes around the time i have to take the pill, but once i take it, about an hour later my headache goes away. spotting during the first month, but after that, it was smooth sailing!

i would reccomend it for girls who want a shorter/lighter period and want great protection against pregnancy!
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February 7, 2008

Pros:

Not pregnant.

Cons:

DEPRESSION, MOODINESS, WEIGHT GAIN, FATIGUE, HEADACHES, WORSE ACNE

Ortho Tri Cyclen is not worth it. I stayed on it for the minimum "trial period" of 3 months to see if it would help decrease my acne. Lo and behold, my acne got worse...and I became a moody, depressed fat person, even though I exercise 6 days/week, which is supposed to make you not fat and release endorphins! It was awful and not worth 1 second for me.
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January 31, 2008

Pros:

prevent pregnancy, lighter and regular period, no cramp

Cons:

nausea, bloating and possible weight gain

I used OCT mainly to prevent pregnancy. I was first on the pill about 4-5 years ago and I did not have any side affects except bigger boobs (which was great!) I went off the pill for many years and is on again and this time, I feel nausea and bloated. I am not sure if I really gained any weight, cause I feel bigger, but I weight the same. I can't stand the bloating, it makes my tummy area and butt big and I can't fit into my pants anymore. As for acne, I never had any acne problem and the pill did not cause me any acne problem
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January 25, 2008

Pros:

Went on pill 10 yrs ago for birth control strictly to not get pregnant....no acne problems ever before going on the pill

Cons:

About 3 months after going off the pill, I started to breakout horribly! I have heard it can take sometimes up to a year until my skin is normal.

Personally, I think that the "skin clearing benefits" may not be such a good thing in the long run (when you stop taking the pill). I never had ANY skin problems in my life until just going off of the pill. My girlfriend was on the pill (not ortho try-clyen) and had a little breakouts, but not like w/ OrthoTri-clene Im 28 yrs old and breaking out like crazy for about 3 months now. I went on the pill to not get prenant yrs ago, & I thought it was just an added bonus if I got an occasional blemish to be on ortho tri-cyclen, but wishing now my Dr. would have recommended me just a generic brand of BCP (one that has nothing to do with skin clearing benefits) since I didn't any help with my skin to begin with! My hormones are all out of wack now too (obviously b/c of my skin going crazy! Any suggestions would be so helpful.
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January 24, 2008

Pros:

Regular periods, no premenstral pain, no acne

Cons:

expensive

Helped treat acne
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January 23, 2008

Pros:

prevents pregancy

Cons:

worst acne ever

I am not sure how to get my skin back to normal but ever since I took OTC and came off it I break out all the time. I wont go back on it, but I don't know what to do to help my acne!
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January 18, 2008

Pros:

I have always had to deal with constant acne my whole life thus far (23 now). I went on OTC regular and the first few months did not notice much of a difference and it maybe seemed to get worse. But by the end of month two I am completely clear.

Cons:

None really. Might make you worse for the first month and a half, but trust me....its sooo amazing after that first period. I didn't believe people at first about it working b/c I was impatient, but stuck through it b/c my acne was so bad.

My skin is completely clear now. I had BAD acne before. Definitely hormonal though. It would lessen and then get bad again right around my period. It is soo amazing to wake up and not have to conceal barely anything on my face b/c of my new clear skin! I love it! I would recommend this to anyone who perhaps used to get regular and cystic acne everyday. It really really works! Just stick through the first two months and you should definitely start to see your skin clear up. It is soo nice to not have to wake up to a new pimple or two everyday. NOTE: I am only supporting OTC regular. I have tried Lo in the past and it had neither postive or negative results. And do not try the generic either...I hear it is not the same as the OTC regular.
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January 17, 2008

Pros:

Prevents pregnanacy, regulates periods

Cons:

Gave me the worst acne I have ever had in my life. I was unhappy all the time and on some days, I didn't even want to leave the house.

My OB/GYN switched my BC prescription to the Lo version for the health benefits of having less estrogen. I didn't experience any drastic changes at first, but I eventually developed the WORST cystic acne. I consulted a dermatologist, not thinking that it was the BC pills since I had been on the regular Ortho Tri Cyclen for several years. He tried a gammut of treatments on me and finally resorted to giving me to option to try Accutane. I refused this option due to the severe side effects and possible birth defects. As a 26 year old, I dealt with embarrasing acne for 3 years. I tried all available washes, peels, ect. both expensive and not-- nothing worked. I don't know why I didn't think of it earlier, but I decided to switch back to the regular Ortho Tri Cyclen as another means to try to fix this problem. I couldn't be more amazed. Two weeks after switching, my skin is like velvet and is totally clear.
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January 15, 2008

Pros:

No pregnancy.

Cons:

Made it through middle school and high school with maybe 3 zits. Now that I've been on Tri Cyclen for 6 months, I'm breaking out like crazy and I'm 22. Also, inability to lose weight when I used to drop so quickly.

In search of another birth control method. Either another pill or an IUD. It seems to clear up skin in other cases so I'd say to start it but switch later on if you're experiencing the same thing I am. ** I get mine from planned parenthood and it only costs $15.00/month.
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January 15, 2008

Pros:

NONE

Cons:

IT MADE ME BREAK OUT SO BAD AROUND THE 3RD MOUNTH. WORKED WELL AT FIRST BUT THEN GAVE ME REALLY BAD CYSTIC ACNE ON MY CHECKS. THEY LEFT REALLY BAD RED SCARS.

I WOULDNT RECCOMENT THIS PRODUCT. I SWITCHED TO ORTHO TRICYCTLEN FROM MY OTHER BIRTH CONTROL ORTHO NOVUMM. THAT A A HUGE MISTAKE. I HAD NEVER REALLY HAD THAT BAD OF ACNE OR SCARS. BUT AFTER TAKING THIS I BROKE OUT SO BAD, LIKE NEVER BEFORE. AFTER GETTING OFF THIS BIRTH CONTROL MY SKIN CLEARED UP AGAIN. BUT IT TOOK AROUND 2 MONTHS. NOW I AM LEFT WITH HORRIBLE ACNE SCARS.
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