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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5
22.3%
4
33.2%
3
21.1%
2
14%
1
9.5%

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February 5, 2008

Pros:

Less acne, not pregnant

Cons:

still some acne, migraines

My acne got a lot better but didn't go away all the way. When taken regularly, my moods were good (unless I missed a pill!). I started getting migraines with this pill, which is a risk in all bc pills. Not horrible ones, but more than before i went on it.
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December 18, 2007

Pros:

Not Pregnant, Cheaper than Orthro Evra,

Cons:

Moody, Emotional, Bloated, Pimples, blackheads and whiteheads (NEVER AN ISSUE BEFORE & nausea

It's birth control. It's preventing pregnancy which is the only reason why I began taking it. The crying has subsided and my moods are more stable. However, I'm not a fan of the acne that seems to come along with this pill, in my case. I've always had clear skin but am now noticing an appearance of whiteheads, blackheads and pimples. I'm also suffering from nausea. I've only been taking this stuff for 2 months and if by month 4 there are no changes, I will DEFINITELY get off of it.
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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 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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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 1, 2007

Pros:

lighter periods & I do have clearer skin even though I've never really had acne problems.

Cons:

lower libido .

I'm still using it until I can find something else. The whole libido thing is too much for me. I need my testosterone back.
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August 25, 2007

Pros:

Stops ovulation, regulates period.

Cons:

Extreme nausea, headache's small pimples, large whiteheads.

I had extreme nausea suring second month of ortho lo, would take with food and would feel like I had to throw up. Light spotting during first and second month, also had light migranes during first weeks of trying OTC Lo. Small bumps on chin would soon turn into large whiteheads that hurt!
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August 22, 2007

Pros:

swollen breasts and no weight gain. This is about the only semi-positive things I can say about this drug. I realize that everyone reacts differently to certain chemicals, but iin all honesty, this drug has severely affected my life in a horrible way

Cons:

caused me to develop ovarian and kidney cysts. intermittent sharp pelvic pains that required hospitalization and constant dull cramps. Constant breakthrough bleeding, periods every two weeks, unable to skip periods, migraines.

If there is another alternative for you to using this drug, pls take my advice and spend the $5 more to get it. I have received numerous pelvic MRI's, ER visits, surgeries (laparscopic) and pain meds to "fix" the symptoms that have incurred from me taking this drug. I now have scars from my surgeries and mounds of medical bills to pay from nearly 7 months ago. Again, I realize that everyone reacts differently, but this is the only bc pill I've had difficulty with.
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August 19, 2007

Pros:

regulated periods, lighter periods, little or no cramps, fuller breasts, prevents pregnancy,

Cons:

gained 5 pounds, nausea

i have only been on tricyclen for 3 months now, and it is working great the only thing that i hate is the cravings for chocolate and junk food and i am still getting very bad nausea. my acne has cleared up a bit but i still breakout often. i have had acne since i was 13 and it sucks and i dont know if it will ever go away but this is defenatly helping a bit. i am also using a acne face wash consitting of systlic acid, and that has been opkay as well
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June 29, 2007

Pros:

No acne, no irregular periods

Cons:

weight gain, lower sex drive

I have been on Ortho Tri-cyclen Lo for 2 years and I began spotting so my doctor took me off of it. I have always been really small but after about 3 months on it i gained 10 lbs. I've never had an acne problem but I didn't gain any more pimples. Other than the weight gain I was happy with this pill until I started spotting.
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