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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October 21, 2007

Pros:

regulated menstral cycle, pregnancy prevention

Cons:

not helping the acne as i had expected

i have been on orthotricyclen for three or four monthes now, i thought it would clear up my acne because the doctor at planned parenthood told me so but it hasn't helped much. i still have regular breakouts im 19 and have had a problem with acne since my sophmore year of highschool.
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October 20, 2007

Pros:

Clears acne with little to no side-effects.

Cons:

Is a little pricey, co-pay is $25. Thankfully we can afford to refill every month! Oh, and it did make me a little more emotional.

When I first started out, I broke out a little but nothing out of the ordinary. I actually went into this thinking it wouldn't work because nothing else had before. I started out with almost severe acne, went down to moderate and tried ortho. I'm so thankful my derm. suggested birth control because 6 months later I completely stopped breaking out. I can now say, 10 months after I first started, I no longer worry about waking up to new pimples! So if you're thinking about taking Ortho, or already are on it and are reading reviews for some hope, PLEASE wait it out at least until the 6 month mark. Oh and beware of Ortho LO, for some people it helps with acne, but for most it makes it worse. Best of luck :-)
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October 16, 2007

Pros:

clears skin, regulates periods, prevents pregnancy

Cons:

nausea occurs when first starting otc, but goes away after first pack. However, this is a side effect of otc.

OTC works very well at regulating periods, and does help to clear skin. I saw a significant improvement in my skin after the first pack. They say that it takes about three months to show complete results from using OTC, so just hang in there.
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October 14, 2007

Pros:

prevents pregnancy, very regular periods

Cons:

mood swings, lower sex drive, headaches!

it gets the job done and doesnt make me gain weight.
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October 8, 2007

Pros:

- Cystic Acne is under control!!!
- I know when I'm going to have my period

Cons:

- During every fourth week (when I'm not on the pill and I get my period) my cystic acne comes back again.
- Brand name birth control pills are more expensive than the generic

I think this pill has worked wonders for me. I saw no effects with Minocyclin and I'm not allowed to go on Accutane because of my depression. I've had acne since the 5th grade. Although Retin-A cleared up my skin during the 12 grade, my acne returned once I started college, despite continued usage of Retin-A, and it became even more severe. Right now, I take Ortho Tri-cyclen and use topicals such as benzoyl peroxide and retin-a every day.
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October 4, 2007

Pros:

Lighter periods, no cramps, Made my ovarian cysts go away

Cons:

Nasuea

Great pill. Haven't experienced harsh side effects like other women from previous reviews.Just minor upset stomach. My libido is also still there. Everyone is different, so do find out what works for your body. :-)
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October 3, 2007

Pros:

I've been using it for more than a year and I'm not pregnant. My boobs are bigger (which is a pro for me since I was an A, but now a B). My periods are lighter.

Cons:

DEPRESSION. Horrible, horrible gut-wrenching depression. I cry all the time. I feel mentally unstable on this product, honestly. I have never felt so low as I have on this product.

I'm only using OTC-Lo till I can figure out another brand that works for me or if I decide to get off of BC altogether. I'm a full time college student so its been hard making time to make an appointment with the doctor so I can switch brands. It's just easier to pay for the new refill every month. I'm sure plenty of women are not suffering with OTC-lo as I am. But I am in the minority that suffers from depression because of it. I just pray I can bring myself out of this...
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September 29, 2007

Pros:

Seems to be working well for my skin- it is healing!!

Cons:

Headaches

I am actually on Ortho Cyclen (Sprintec). Ortho Tri Cyclen did not work very well for me, but this is the all the same strength as week 3 pills (Ortho Tri Cyclen). This seems to be working on my awful skin- it is healing!! The redness is going away along with my big blemishes- thank GOD!! I have only been on this for 8 days though, so hopefully it keeps getting better and better.... And I can finally date again and not be in a crappy mood all the time because of my skin! I very much hope this continues to work. Will keep you posted.
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September 27, 2007

Pros:

MY SKIN IS CLEAR AND I AM NOT PREGNANT.

Cons:

SEX DRIVE IS VERY LOW!THE INTEREST LEVEL IN THAT DEPARTMENT IS TOTALLY GONE.AFTER STARTING OTC MY CHARACTER HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED.MOODSWINGS,DEPRESSION,MIGRAINES,ETC.WORST OF ALL IS WEIGHT GAIN!

EVERYONES BODY RESPONDS DIFFERENTLY TO CERTAIN BIRTH CONTROLS.IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE SIDE AFFECTS OF YOUR BIRTH CONTROL,GET YOURS CHANGED IMMEDIATELY.ALL I KNOW IS I HAVE'T GOT PREGNANT YET AND THAT MY PERIODS LAST LONGER THAN 7 DAYS WHICH I DO NOT LIKE AT ALL.BUT DON'T GET ME WRONG I DO PLAN ON TRYING A NEW BIRTH CONTROL ASAP.JUST REMEMBER THAT ONLY YOU CAN DECIDE WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU.
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September 24, 2007

Pros:

No terrible side effects

Cons:

Did not clear up acne AT ALL and I got pregnant while using it!!

It didnt clear up the acne and It obviously doesnt work as a birth control either.. Cuz I got pregnant while using it.. And yes I took it correctly!
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