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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November 8, 2007

Pros:

still haven't gotten pregnant! helped clear my skin.

Cons:

makes me feel sick to my stomach if i don't take it at the exact same time, doesn't regulate my period as well as it should.

the pill does it job as far as preventing pregnancy, however, my period isn't as regulated as it should be-and i've been on it for 1 year now! it does help clear up my skin, and my cramps aren't as bad. it hasn't made me gain weight either, which is definately a plus!!
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November 6, 2007

Pros:

Regulates menstrual cycle, prevents prenancy

Cons:

Nautious and dizzy ALOT. I can't keep up with my workout class since starting.

Hopefully After a few months things will get better.
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November 6, 2007

Pros:

Regulated periods, lighter periods, preevent pregnancy

Cons:

didn't clear up acne like i was told it would but didn't make it worse either...

i was on ortho tri-cyclen for a year before i switched, i have switched 3 times since then and i think i'm going to decide to go back to ortho again. i dont recall having any mood swings or crying spells with it at all, i felt normal. i was disappointed that it didn't clear up my skin but was thankful it didn't make it worse either. withe other pils i have tried, they did increase my breast size a small bit, ortho did not do that, something i'm not looking forward to is my breasts decreasing in size once i go back to ortho....
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November 6, 2007

Pros:

Prevented Pregnancy

Cons:

Did not help acne
Had to stop because I was constantly crying the week of my period. Got depressed.

Would not reccommend
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November 1, 2007

Pros:

helped acne, reliable periods, no cramps!

Cons:

none so far!

this works amazing! it cleared up my skin totally and haven't had any side effects. I guess everyone reacts differently!! Only $1.75/month with insurance!!!
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October 28, 2007

Pros:

not pregnant. Generic brand is affordable.

Cons:

I am constantly breaking out! Decerased sex drive.

I started this pill beacuse I heard it's supposed to clear up your face. Didn't work! It made my face worse and oily. I have to sex drive and it's becomin a problem with my husband.
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October 27, 2007

Pros:

It is birth control, prevention of pregnancy.

Cons:

I keep getting random flashes of dizziness and a feeling of faintness when I could feel perfectly fine just a minute ago. My acne seems to be worsening, and the back pain still persists as bad as before.

The random dizzy feeling's are not good, one came over me while I was driving at night and I couldn't stop my eyes from spinning and beginning to get faint. My acne is worsening, when I got on the pill to clear it up. I've only been on it for 1 pack now, hopefully the side effects will calm and the acne as well.
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October 23, 2007

Pros:

protects against pregnancy, regular periods, helps cramps

Cons:

I have never had acne until taking this product. Now my chin is breaking out horribly. I have gone to the dermatologist several times and nothing is fixing it. I have gained weight and I feel bloated.

I went to my doctor today and she switched me to Yasmin. Suppossly this will help my acne. We'll see. If it wasn't for the acne I could stand Ortho Tricyclen Lo.
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October 21, 2007

Pros:

clear skin, regular periods, lighter periods. Not pregnant.

Cons:

have to remember to take it every day, same time. Lower sex drive (I think). I rather have clear skin. I'm vain.

OTC only works for HORMONAL ACNE! If you break out before your period OTC can help for most women. I would always breakout right before my period, around my mouth and jaw. OTC cleared up the problem. No more breakouts at all. The only thing is you have to keep on taking the pill. Once you stop your hormones will go back to the mess they were before you started the pill. It's free if you go to a clinic and have no insurance. I don't think it causes weight gain. Face it, this is America. We eat a lot of junk and we are completely lazy!
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October 21, 2007

Pros:

Predictable periods... works

Cons:

none

I noticed no weight gain. Skin cleared up. Shorter lighter periods. Love it!
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