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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July 31, 2007

Pros:

Regulated Periods, kept face clear, no side effects.

Cons:

Remembering to take it everyday at the same time.

Tri-Cyclen Lo kept my face clear in the past and I didn't have any side effects from it at all. I haven't been on BC for a a few months and at 25 my acne has been bad over the last two years and getting worse over the last few months for some reason so I have elected to go back on it. My doctor prescribed me Diane 35 which I researched and found horrible possible side effects and horrifying reports from people who have used it. I didn't take the Diane 35 and I am going to back to get Tri-cyclen Lo. I can't say I recommend Tri-cyclen because BC works differently on everybody.
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July 28, 2007

Pros:

Lighter and very predictable periods

Cons:

weight gain, bigger breasts

I am beyond frustration with OTC lo because I have gained probably about 5 pounds and I have been on the pill for about four months. I work out for an hour a day and haven't skipped a day since December. I eat right and have been a size 4 since I can remember. Do you know how frustrating it is to have your clothes fit tighter after taking such good care of yourself!? However, being able to have sex and how worry about getting pregnant is great.
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July 27, 2007

Pros:

Period has been lighter, less cramping, and much more regular.
Of course as a contraceptive it works fine.

Cons:

Ok I am on my second month of OTC...I am experiencing some of the worst breakouts of my life! Cystic and all over my face! I don't think my acne has been this bad since I was going through puberty.

Since I have been taking OTC my face looks horrible, filled with acne, and stressing me out. Please can anyone tell me if they have had the same problem? I would like to think that it will get worse before it gets better. So far I am not seeing any improvements with my skin and am debating wether or not to take it. I have tried tons of acne products (expensive and cheap) nothing is working. Should I just allow more time?
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July 26, 2007

Pros:

Makes your periods shorter, less cramping, regulated periods, and got rid of 50% of my acne

Cons:

Brand name is expensive, but a lot of companies offer a generic brand alternative. Health risks are involved with all pills, etc. Some weight gain.

Caused minor weight gain for me though it did miracles for making my periods lighter and shorter and killed most of my awful cramps. It also cleared up 90% of my back acne and about 50% of my face acne (got rid of the bumps on my forehead, cheeks, etc) and prevented approximately half of my cystic acne breakouts. I'd recommend it definitely! I never experienced breakthrough bleeding, though I tried Ortho Tri-Cyclin Lo once and it did cause bleeding around week 2.
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July 25, 2007

Pros:

clearer skin! (so happy), normal period.

Cons:

trying to never forget taking it at the same time :S! headaches and spotting first month.

I've been reading all these posts and it literally made me want to try this birthcontrol. Also, because i needed to start on it anytime soon so I decided to pick OTC. I suffered from bad acne and oily skin since age 14. So of course im happy. First month i had spotting since i started the sunday on my period. Now on the second month it stopped and i dont worry about my skin. The only thing I do (in a way) worry about it taking it everytime..at the same time. SAME TIME! Perfect hormones = perfect skin. Well for me :) GOODLUCK to the rest. I didnt gain weight. Everyones different but the normal gaining is 5 pounds or less if you do gain weight. The rest is all in your head. ANd keep positive and dont believe the pills make you moody. Not saying they dont but it does help thinking they dont. Didnt for me because i found that to be bull :P THo, everyones different.
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July 15, 2007

Pros:

Pregnancy prevention

I went on birth control about a month ago. My obg put me on kariva and swiched me to Ortho tri-cyclen Lo a month later. Im starting my second month. I went on b irth control hoping it would get my acne under control. Unfortunatly, the pil;ls didnt help! Im getting facials, micros done on regular basis.. my acne is only worse. Dont count on your acne to get better. My sex drive is out of control!!! i cant get enough of it and i dont know why. How many times a day can you have sex??? I have no moods swings and i get my period right on time. ( i never had that problem) No cramps, bloating etc. Only the urge to make love 10X a day!!!
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July 14, 2007

Pros:

Ortho has been good to me in the past

Cons:

Don't use the generic version (TriNessa)! Gave me a weird breakout...

I decided a couple months ago to switch from Yasmin back to Ortho for one reason or another. When I had picked up my Rx from the pharmacy I realized they had given me the generic version, TriNessa. I decided to give it a try and it was the worst decision of my life. I ended up breaking out and couldn't figure out why since I hadn't done anything differently from my usual regime. I then realized that I was on TriNessa and had been for the month that my breakout began and quickly worsened. The next month I decided to ask my pharmacist to give me Ortho and not the generic. I've been back on Ortho for a couple weeks now and my face seems to be clearing up slowly. The other weird thing is that the acne caused by TriNessa (or I believe it was cause by it) are different from any other acne breakouts I've had in the past. They are tiny bumps concentrated on my forehead, nose, and cheeks. Considering seeing a dermatologist...
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July 14, 2007

Pros:

It's free at planned parenthood. I haven't broken out at all or had horrible mood swings. Nor have I had spotting. No breakouts and no weight gain. No loss of libido (thank goodness)!

Cons:

Some tenderness in breasts. Mild crankiness for first couple days.

I was very worried since I have anxiety and because my weight fluctuates at a drop of a coin. I have maybe gained a pound or so but I've been eating horribly and not exercising at all (which I regularly do), so that pretty much accounts for that. In fact, I'm surprised I haven't gained more so maybe it's even helping me maintain my weight. I was only mildy cranky and my breasts were tender the first two days, but not depressed by any means. I haven't broke out at all. But then again, it's only been a month. Hopefully, my luck continues!
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July 10, 2007
i took otc-lo for 5 months and it made me break out really bad! before that i would get the occasional pimple and needed protection so i figured otc-lo would help with both. it made me feel super sick the first week and i would get thesr horrible depression swings. wORST part of it all is that itmade me break out (cyst like nodules) and its been over 4 months (since i got off the pill) and i havent stopped breaking out. i dunno what to do...
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July 6, 2007

Pros:

I can't think of any

Cons:

acne worse than ever, gained 2 lbs eating 500 cals a day, start spotting on the dark blue (3rd week pills). Didn't get my period as soon as I started the green pills but on the FIFTH day of them.

Ortho Tri Cyclen (regular, not low) can cause all the side effects that low can. I've also had panic attacks, depression, and stomach sickness. I'm starting my second month on it now and thinking about just giving up.
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