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

Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

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March 5, 2009

Pros:

Affordable, extremely light periods, prevents pregnancy!

Cons:

Gained a little weight, break outs.

I have always have clear skin. In fact, I would get complimented on it almost daily. I think because of the hormones my skin has started to break out. By break out I mean 2-4 pimples showing up after the other ones are cleared out. And they are leaving their marks! This has never happened to me, I probably had only 5 pimples my entire life. Anyway, like the comment below, I hope it makes my skin clearer after this. I have been on it for exactly one month.
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January 26, 2009

Pros:

None I can think of.

Cons:

Weight gain, increase in acne, bloating, moodswings.

I've weighed the same amount for most of my high school to adult life, and never have I gained so much or felt so bloated. I'm depressed and tired and my acne is getting SO much worse. I'm staying on for two months to see what happens.
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December 23, 2008

Pros:

not pregnant, helped periods some, breasts grew, i havent ever had a problem with acne so it doesnt affect that

Cons:

weight gain! i always have stomach and head aches- but im not sure if it has to do with it or not.

im definitely not happy with the weight gain. it hasnt helped my moods at all. i get ill about a week before my period and am a total bitch for the next week. i cant find anything to help with this or any of the other things. i become very emotional around my period also and it doesnt help that either. id like to find something better but i do like this too.
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November 7, 2008

Pros:

Prevents Pregnancy, Regular Periods, Reduces Cramps

Cons:

My acne has gotten worse since I have used this product and at the beginning of taking the pill I got sick and threw up

This pill will not regulate your hormones to the point where it can get rid and regulate your acne. I have had no acne problem until I started to use this pill and I have acne all around my face.
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November 5, 2008

Pros:

No babies, larger breasts, regular periods, cheap, no uncomfortable side effects, skin is clear

Cons:

CRAMPS!!!!

if I clean my skin regularly, I never or rarely break out it works rly well and I don't have any nausea or emotional problems i would have liked to have clearer skin... so I don't recommend it for people with severe/moderate acne
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November 5, 2008

Pros:

It prevents pregnancy

Cons:

I am breaking out all over my shoulders neck and face. I am on the verge of vomiting. I have leg pain chest pain and headaches. I want to yell at everyone! Or sit in my room and cry. Screw this. Will i get sick if i just stop taking it?

That is the bottom line!
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November 3, 2008

Pros:

It made my periods shorter and lighter thats about it,

Cons:

weight gain, bad headaches, food cravings, mood swings, sore breasts, nausea, just over all yucky!!

this pill is not worth it, if u want shorter lighter periods and can handle all those side effects then i would say go for it. Other wise this pill is useless,
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August 15, 2008

Pros:

Helped a severe acne problem, regulated periods, no weight gain

Cons:

Occasional breakthrough bleeding, breast tenderness

Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo has done wonders for my skin! My acne was becoming so severe, I was considering taking accutane. After about of a year of the pill, my acne has improved tremendously, though it is still not perfectly clear. However, because of the breakthrough bleeding, I am about to switch to regular Ortho Tri-Cyclin, and am slightly nervous about it. There seem to be many negative posts here, keep in mind people review a product more often because they want to complain, not to praise. Though every body is different, this worked great for me, and wasn't an overload of hormones. RECOMMENDED!
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June 5, 2008

Pros:

Cleared skin, period seemed lighter

Cons:

heavy cramps, bloating, moodswings

I just started using OTC a month ago so hopefully there will be more positive changes.
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April 26, 2008

Pros:

Not worrying about getting pregnant.
MUCH less acne.
Less depression, less moody.

Cons:

Coming off of it made me an emotional wreck. It took me a month to get mood-steady.
ACNE!!!

I need to get back on this.
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