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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4
34.3%
3
21.2%
2
13.1%
1
8.8%

Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

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September 20, 2007

Pros:

IT cleared my skin up very well - I really didn't have many zita at all, just some remaining blackheads here and there.

Cons:

It really messed up my hormones and my menstrual cycle becuase it was too difficult for me to remember to take it every day. I'm a college student and my schedule isn't consistent enough to use this.

It worked great for my skin - but at what cost? My body is all screwed up now - I have to back to the doctor again soon. Even though this worked well on my face, long term birth control use can cause lasting damage to your hormones and reproductive systems. Doctors claim it is 100% safe, when really it is only menat to be used short term. After I quit, my skin broke out worse than ever. This is only a temporary fix, and it's not worth the price of your health and almost $40 a month.
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September 19, 2007

Pros:

Cleared acne.

Cons:

It took four months to clear my acne. In the beginning my acne was MUCH MUCH worse like I've never seen before!!! But I stuck with it and I have seen wonderful results!!!

In the beginning it took my body a while to get use to the Ortho Tri-cyclen. It made me feel sick and very moody. My acne became really bad in the first few months and I almost stopped taking it but my doctor talked me out of it. I'm so thankful for that because by the end of the forth pack I really started to notice a difference. I have NEVER had this clear of skin!!!! I would highly recommend taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen. But remember it takes several months to even notice a change!!!
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September 17, 2007

Pros:

cleared up skin, no fear of pregnancy

Cons:

LOW SEX DRIVE, it literally went down to almost none!! It's so bad i think i have to switch contraceptives..it's just not worth it to be on a birth control if you don't want to have sex. cramping, severe mood swings/depression

it works for pregnancy, i've been on it for 2 years and never had a scare, my face is clear and i have lighter periods, however, no sex drive!...I also get really bad mood swings..
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September 14, 2007

Pros:

Didn't get pregnant, little or no cramping, and I knew when my period was coming!

Cons:

Break outs! Bloated, oily, mood swings, bad PMS, decrease sex drive

I would break out 2 weeks before I got my period all the way up until the week I got my period... so basically I have one week of being break-out free out of 4. My skin gets so oily on it. I never had acne before until I started using Seasonale, and then I switched back to Ortho Tricyclen-Lo, and acne just continued to get worse. And the bloating sucks!
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September 11, 2007

Pros:

Clearer skin, lighter periods, not pregnant...

Cons:

Random breakouts, feel fatter, extremely moody.

When I first started, my skin was amazing and clear and now I am 3 months in and I am PMS'ing. My skin is being INSANE. I hardly want to go outside. But besides this week, I have looked amazing and my periods are unbelievably light.
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September 9, 2007

Pros:

No fear of pregnancy.Lighter periods and lesser cramps

Cons:

Slight nasea, bloating, mood swings. No change in condition of skin.

I went on OTC to attempt to clear my acne. I had been on it for over a year and noticed no improvement or worsening. I did notice bloating and nasea at the start. I've had cystic acne for years and recently broke out more all around my chin. After reading some other reviews i've atributed this to going off OTC for a month. Now i am on Yasmin. I don't know if this is supposed to help with acne but I like the idea of a lower hormone dose. If anyone has tried Yasmin and it has helped with acne please let me know!! Good Luck to all.
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September 8, 2007

Pros:

Im not pregnant yet

Cons:

Mood swings,2 week long periods, awful period cramps and bloating, decreased sex drive, weight gain.

I wouldnt reccomend this item.The side effects are rediculas and after having my period for 12 days and counting i dont wish that upon anyone!
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September 7, 2007

Pros:

It took away my acne,but it takes about 4 months to see the difference,it gave me lighter and shorter periods.

Cons:

Can cause nausea around the time you take the first pill, then it goes away, I did not gain weight, on the first 4 months it made my acne worse, but after 4 months, I had the best skin ever, free of all acne.

I know everyone's body is different, I would tell anybody to give this pill 6 months, if you don't see your skin getting better, try something else.
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September 4, 2007

Pros:

Lighter periods, less cramps

Cons:

Decreased sex drive, water retention, depression, slight break through bleeding, yeast infections, no improvement in acne

I had been taking OTC-Lo for 2 years and did not see very much improvement for acne. It made my skin appear "thinner" and caused my mucous membranes to dry out. I stopped taking bc all together and found that my skin slightly improved.
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September 1, 2007

Pros:

Less painful cramps, less flow, know when my period will start, protects against pregnancy, larger breasts!

Cons:

slight nausea in the beginning, slight weight gain. I don't know if has been helping or hindering my acne but this past month my acne has got significantly worse, large cyst like pimples on my cheeks that I have never had before. Definitely a con!

I am going to continue using this as it is effective and affordable birth control, and I like the regularity of my periods. As for the slight weight gain that may be my own fault, as I have been traveling a lot and trying new foods. As for the acne, well, I am going to try some alternative methods (Proactiv, apple cider vinegar) to clear it up and hopefully it is not the birth control's fault. We shall see!!!
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