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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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December 10, 2007

Pros:

No babies.

Cons:

Ance remains...

It's just birth control. On it for 6 years.
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December 9, 2007

Pros:

Prevents pregnancy, cleared up my acne.

Cons:

None really. Some nausea and dizziness. Slight mood swings when i first started.

I was previously taking a birth control pill called Solia (horrible) which made me break out really bad and caused intense mood swings and a lot of unwanted crying. Once i switched to ortho tricyclen i noticed clearer skin within the first 2-3 week, less of an unstable mood, and no cramps either. Before starting any type of pill, i had very severe cramps, and brith control pills took care of that right away. OTC did cause nausea and dizziness the first month but has gone away since. My sex drive has not been affected at all, i have not gained any weight,my breasts are the same size, and the bloating i do experience is like any normal bloating prior to your period, I dont have any spotting and my period comes at exactly the same time every month. I would definitly recommend this pill.
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December 8, 2007

Pros:

NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!! Did absolutly NOTHING for my acne.

Cons:

Didnt clear up my skin at ALL! I have been on it for about 8 months and did absolutly nothing. I am broken out so bad near my chin and around my mouth. It didnt made my acne worse it just... didnt do anything at all. WASte of MONEY. Waste of TIME.

Doesnt WORK!!!!!!!!
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December 8, 2007

Pros:

much less cramping, clears acne, lighter periods

Cons:

i have had none, and it's my second time using... i used it when i was 17/18 and now i am 25.

Ortho Tri Cyclen works well for clearing up acne... and i noticed that many of the people complaining it didn't use LO... not the same! that's why it's a different pill called LO! I have heard many cons about OTC Lo, i would never try it myself. it helped clear my teenage acne and at my age now, i recently developed a hormonal burst possibly due to excessive stress and age, and after one cycle of being back on orth tri cyclen NOT LO my face is almost completely clear again, and it was bad along my jawline and such!
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November 29, 2007

Pros:

Didn't get pregnant, skin cleared up.

Cons:

Periods became heavy and irregular, lasting sometimes for 2 weeks. Experienced irritability.

The clearer skin are not worth the 2 weeks a month I loose being on my period.
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November 29, 2007

Pros:

Lighter periods, effective form of birth control (i.e., no babies), helped with acne, I know when to expect my period

Cons:

mood swings, no sex drive

Great pill. I've been on it for about 3 years and it's worked great for me. I have shorter, lighter periods. It helped with the acne, but it wasn't a miracle product. I still use benzoyl peroxide & routine face care.
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November 29, 2007

Pros:

acne is a ton better

Cons:

headaches, mood swings, upset stomach, spotting all the time, bloated, tired, periods are way messed up, sex drive is down the toilet

works on acne, but isn't worth bleeding 3 out of 4 weeks and no sex drive- i can deal wit upset stomach- by eating something with it. but my sex drive is out the window. i feel moody- emotionally unstable, i get upset easily or snap more often. i feel like a stuffed turkey most everyday. no weight gain- but have been looking to snack while im bleeding.i'm so tired.....
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November 26, 2007

Pros:

Cleared my cystic acne, prevented pregnancy, no weight gain or loss, shorter periods, decreased cramping

Cons:

Expensive if you do not have medical coverage, after extensive use, (pros mentioned above) reoccured negatively, everyone reacts differently to any pill, very slight nausea when pills were missed

I had started using ortho tri-cyclen at the age of 16 to control moderate acne and reduce cramping. Within the first 2 months, my acne was completely clear, my period was regulated and my cramping was dramatically reduced. I experienced no mood changes, headaches or waight gain, or any negative side effects to be honest. After approx. 3 years of continued use I began to experience emotional changes. I felt like my emotions did not match my physical state. Shortly after, I began to experience the re-occurance of cystic acne(moderate), as well as cramps. I decided to go off BCP completely and felt as if I were back to my "normal" self. However, I have now switched my BCP to Alesse, I have not been on it long enough to comment but I'm assuming that since it contains quite a lower amount of hormones, I should continue to feel the same after regular use. Try ortho tri-cyclen if you have moderate acne, no promises... Every BODY is different.
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November 21, 2007

Pros:

Some skin clearing, up a cup size, regular periods, pregnancy protection, lack of weight gain

Cons:

Breaking out at first, bloating and heavy bleeding, cramps

Only birth control i've used but it seems to be good
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November 20, 2007

Pros:

um. not pregnant.

Cons:

horrible depression during the last week of the cycle and then during period. nausea, dizziness, appetite irregular. terrible. dont take it.

i will never take this or any birth control again. my body cant handle it. NO SEX DRIVE, HORRIBLE SADNESS. pushed away people closest to me.
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