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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9.5%

Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

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June 18, 2009

Pros:

Prevention of pregnancy. Light period. I guess it may have helped with my acne.

Cons:

Loss of Sex drive. Yeast infections. Emotional.

The reason I got off this pill is because I completely lost my sex drive. The purpose of this pill was so I can have sex without worrying about pregnancy, but I didn't want to have sex at all. Libido Gone! .I felt as if it made me get yeast infections constantly. I became very emotional and i was a total b*tch. I'm a positive, happy, smiley person, and this pill was just very wrong for me.
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June 7, 2009

Pros:

I love it...it kept my skin clear, kept my weight in check, prevented babies. I absolutely love it...when I got off of OTC, thats when the acne ( that I never had before) came out of nowhere, I gained weight,etc.

Cons:

NONE...I'm getting back on it.

It's an amazing product and I would recommend it to any and everyone : )
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May 23, 2009

Pros:

already breast have grown, gained about 1-2 pounds so far,

Cons:

hasnt helped acne, some break threw bleeding

this is a good birth control, have to take it everyday around the same time, you may gain some weight , from what ive read most girls have had breast growth which is nice, but you may have some bleeding within the first couple months of using this pill.
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May 16, 2009

Pros:

not sure yet

Cons:

having to remember it daily at same time, bleeding during intercourse

only been on it for 2 wks now was prescibed it to regulate my periods so its made me bleed more I think but its only been couple of weeks I'll wait it out and see what happens my BF is concerned about the bleeding during sex though. I would like bigger boobs I'm reading about LOL
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May 5, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up acne! Changed my life.

Cons:

Didn't clear back or chest acne. Bad side effects for first month.

I am so glad I went on this birth control! It completely changed my life, and cleared up my acne so I am no longer to go outside. Side effects were bad for first month: nausea, bloating, bad mood swings, loss of appetite, increase in appetite. However, these side effects COMPLETELY disappeared by the end of the 3rd month and now I have barely any side effects. However, it did nothing for my chest or back acne.
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May 4, 2009

Pros:

Acne has cleared up

Cons:

weight gain / sensative feelings

It has helped my acne clear up. I haven't really noticed other things about this birth control because i didn't really pay attention. But im not pregnant :) but im also not getting my period after the pack (21 days) i just finished, and its been days :S i really hope i get it, and soon!
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April 10, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up acne that was very painful! Sooo thankful!

Cons:

slight weight gain for awhile

I had very bad breakouts all over my face and back, it took about three months and Ortho clear my face up! I rarely breakout and when I do it doesn't last long and its gone!
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March 20, 2009

Pros:

Boobs grew, no break-through bleeding (like otc-lo)

Cons:

Weight gain, IRRITABILITY, nausea

The product worked, but i became a monster and gained 20 pounds, too many hormones for me. Switched to a lower hormonal dosage pill and couldnt be happier
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March 16, 2009

Pros:

no babies, cheap!

Cons:

moodiness!

i have been on ortho tri cyclen 3 months now. before i went on bc i had light acne, but like everyone i wanted no acne... my breakouts were usually about a week before my period so i expected bc to clear everything up... nope. it has had absolutely no effect on anything. i honestly had better results of clearing my acne when i was just being really careful about what i was eating and drinking, water is the key! but yea i haven't been careful about my eating habits these last couple months, so perhaps i'll just have to take up drinking ridiculous amounts of water again. and on top of not meeting my expectations on acne control, it has turned me into a cry baby! before birth control i had impeccable control over my emotions, but now.... no way. i cry at the drop of a hat, and it is incredibly annoying. i've cried more in the last 3 months than i have in the last 3 years combined, absolutely unnecessarily too.
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March 13, 2009

Pros:

Regulated Period

Cons:

Wait Gain, Increased hunger, worse acne, depression/mood swings, fatigue

I went on the pill to regulate my periods because I have PCOS and to clear up my acne. When I went on the pill I had mild acne, and since then it has changed to moderate-moderate severe with cystic ance, which I have not had for a few years. I also noticed an increased appetite, and IMMEDIATE weight gain, (before the hunger kicked in). As well, I have been fighting bouts of depressive moods, and mood swings of anger, frustration, and sadness. Also, every once in awhile I will become fatigued and completely run-down. I don't know if it is related or not, but within the last 3 months I have been taking the pill I have become sick 3 times. Has only regulated my period, best thing (but maybe worst?) thing I can say.
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