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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 28, 2010

Pros:

No cramps
Very light period
No bloating
No mood swings
Clears acne

Cons:

None

Ortho tri-cyclen Lo is a great birth control contraceptive I recommend this to anyone who wants to start birth control. It clears up acne and is all around a good product.
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July 13, 2010

Pros:

-Enlarged breasts
-Lighter period
-Hair growth decresed
-Acne clear up
-Little weight gain

Cons:

-First couple of weeks, chest pain occured
-Breasts were a little sore from enlargement
-A little moody the week I was on the "reminder" pills

I take birth control pills for hirtsuism; pcos symptom, and for acne. The pill, since I started a month and a half, has decreased the time that hair grows back, i haven't gotten break outs, but lone pimples here and there, and my breasts have gotten bigger, with maybe a couple of pounds gained from a little increase in appetite. bottom line: so far so good, hasn't caused many side effects other than the stated facts they give you and not much of it.
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June 27, 2010

Pros:

- Breasts bigger (fill out my cups like I never did before)
- Regulated period
- Less acne
-Birth control

Cons:

None in my experience

When I was first considering ortho tri-cyclen for birth control, I read all the reviews and was super scared of the possible side effects (mood swings, weight gain, nausea, etc.), however, I've been on it for a month and a half now and I haven't experienced any of them. So far, I've had a great experience on it. It's also pretty fun having fuller breasts than I've ever had before. Based on my experience, I would HIGHLY recommend it.
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June 17, 2010

Pros:

booobs got bigger, cleared acne, helped my period flow ALOT.

Cons:

when i forgot it a couple times it made me crazzzzyy!

i love ittt.
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June 7, 2010

Pros:

-make my boobs significantly bigger with minor weight gain otherwise. Obvious growth occurs in the first week of the pill cycle, I now have to alternate between bras of different sizes depending on where I am in my cycle

Cons:

-lots of breast pain from constant growth
-my skin has become extremely sensitive to the sun, including heat rash and a burn even when using 45SPF (70 works on the other hand), I suppose the resulting tan could be a pro
-my acne hasn't gotten any better and arguably has gotten worse but not significantly so

As I'm using this for birth control it's doing it's job and while there are some side effects they are not so bad I'd consider switching because of them. It's a gamble, there will be side effects from any birth control pill and if they're not so bad you may as well settle. Best way to decide whether the side effects are bearable or not is to take a pill for 3 cycles before making up your mind.
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June 6, 2010

Pros:

-Very clear skin
-Extremely predictable periods
-Lighter periods
-Lighter cramps
-Fewer mood swings
-No weight gain
-Very inexpensive
-Easy to use

Cons:

-Severe initial breakouts
-Nausea for the first week
-Mood swings for the first few weeks
-Takes several months to work

I take Ortho Cyclen generic. Instead of the changing hormone level pills of Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Ortho Cyclen is constant, steady hormones until the week of placebos. If you have problems with mid-cycle breakouts or moodiness, I'd recommend trying the single level hormone birth control. I initially broke out terribly for a week or two when I first started taking it. Halfway through the second cycle, I missed a pill and broke out again. I just started my 3rd pack and my skin looks beautiful. I still have some hyperpigmentation from the second breakout, but it's going away quickly. My skin tone looks more even, too. I started bcp to regulate my unpredictable period and ease pms symptoms, and the pill has worked wonderfully for all of those issues. I only pay $9 a month, and that's WITHOUT health insurance or prescription plans. GO GENERIC, unless you happen to be allergic or sensitive to a generic filler ingredient. Chemically, generic pills are nearly identical to brand names. Also, give bcp at least 3-4 months to begin working. Any review of someone only taking birth control for 2-3 weeks is completely invalid. Like every other acne product, it's going to take time. Also, don't resort to bcp if acne is your only issue. There are serious side effects and complications, and it's not worth the risk, imo, for potentially clearer skin when there are other methods of skin care available. If, like me, you have a hormonal imbalance that affects more than just your skin, give it a try!
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June 1, 2010

Pros:

No cycts anymore. Ever
No nausea
No weight gain (actually lost weight)
Not pregnant!!!

Cons:

Took 2 full cycles to reap benefits
still get the occasional non inflamatory acne. its rare though.

I previously wrote here with a bad review, didnt realize it takes TIME to regulate hormones and balance out. Now I only get the occasional breakout and its minor. No more flare ups the week before my period. I'm also now taking Bactrim and using Epiduo. So far so good. And most importantly, I'm not pregnant!
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May 1, 2010

Pros:

Cleared up acne. Made my breasts at lease a cup size bigger. No weight gain, just a little bit of bloating. 3 to 4 day period and almost no cramps.

Cons:

First few weeks I felt sick and extra hormonal.
Expensive for non generic without insurance.

Been on it for 6 months, all the bad things have went away and its very hard to ever want to stop because the benefits are amazing. I'm only twenty and I would recommend this to anyone.
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April 16, 2010

Pros:

* Acne is clearing up
* Only have a 4 day period
* Flow is light
*Not bad cramps
* Only cost $8
* Lost 8 pounds

Cons:

*Have not found any yet.

I started this birth control about two months ago. My boyfriends mom took me to the health department to get some BC. I was scared of gaining weight and getting even worse acne because it was already terrible. I have some scars on my face it was getting that bad. I was so happy when I noticed my acne was getting better gradually every day. I weighed myself just out of curiosity and I have lost 8 puonds. I have not worked out or even changed my eating habits yet. I also know that the Wal-Mart makeup, foundation, is not good for your acne AT ALL! The only kind that's ok for your face is Rimmel foundation. I also know that if you wash your face once a day, the best time is before bed, it doesn't take as much of the natural oils out. If you wash your face too much you'll take the natural oils out of your face and it will just create even more oil so your face wash will be useless. Every product works differently with different people because no one person is the same. This BC really works with me but it differs greatly for every person. If this does not work just try another.
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April 9, 2010

Pros:

Cleared up my skin

Cons:

Nothing. Never had any adverse side affects.

Birth control works on a very individual basis. I've had terrible reactions to the brand's my friends love and vice versa. You just have to experiment until you find what works for me. I used Orth Tri Cyclen for about a year to control my adult acne. It really is the most effective thing I have used. For about 6 months I didn't even need to use any acne products, the pill alone cleared my skin up beautifully. My insurance changed, I stopped taking the pill and the acne came back after a few months. I plan on getting back on it just for the skin benefits.
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