Acne.org Products
Hormonal Therapy
Efficacy
63%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Note: Improvement significantly increases after 24 weeks.
Hormonal Therapy
Acne.org’s Real World Take
Any brand of oral contraceptive appears to clear the skin about the same amount, regardless of whether it is officially approved for acne treatment. Some people report complete clearing of acne symptoms and others see partial relief. However, artificially controlling your hormones is a serious decision, so it’s best to proceed with caution.
Hormonal Therapy
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
April 1, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Cons:
Inital breakout
I'm on my 3rd month of OCELLA, the generic version. Luckily I know the cause of my acne, which is due to too many androgens/imbalanced hormones. The first two months of this pill, I did have an initial breakout--but I stuck with it. The IB has gradually been decreasing and I'm expecting it to stop completely by the end of Month 4. I noticed a significant decrease in oil on my face the first two months, but now it is now less significant (not sure why; maybe the chaning of the seasons). I DID NOT have any of the typical negative effects of birth control...nausea, headaches, etc. It was smooth sailing from the start (this is my first time on BC). Oh and my periods last only 3 or 4 days! So basically this birth control have been "my cure". I usually don't review things for fear or jinxing them, but I had to add my positive experience for the benefit of others...I now *knock on wood* after this whole review!
March 31, 2009
Pros:
Acne, good contraceptive, predictable periods, and tolerable cramps - mine used to be BRUTAL. I'd be in a sweat in bed with a fever, throwing up for an hour or 2.
Cons:
Headaches, and slight nausea.
I've been using tricyclen for almost 2 months now with little to no side effects! I am very pleased with it so far. I used to be on alesse but tricyclen is definitly better!
March 25, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Bigger breasts, less acne, less cramps and of course no pregnancy, thicker, nice hair.
Cons:
weight gain (!) period last 7 days (!) instead of my normal 3-4 days. Has done nothing yet for my pmdd, but haven't been on it long enough, bit nauseated
So far so good, I am not happy at ALL with the weight gain and the loooong period though! But I heard that sometimes the body needs to adjust. I am trying it a bit longer. For acne it worked like a charm, it got a bit worse in the first month, but now it's clearing up. And my hair is awesome!
March 24, 2009
Pros:
Predicatable periods, no ovulation (no discharge), less emotional issues, breasts grew one whole cup size
Cons:
Water retention= weight gain...like 3-5 pounds, acne got worse, breast tenderness
I started taking this as my first birth control pill ever. It helps with predicting my periods of course, but I took it for acne which got worse...but is starting to get better...I think my body just needs to get used to it. I'm WAY less emotional than I was before. I gained about 5 pounds but I honestly don't mind it, and my breasts grew, all of the sudden too! But not too much, so I am happy with that.
March 10, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Prevented pregnancy
Cons:
I never had acne until I started Yasmin. Now, my acne will never go away, and I have more hair growth on my body.
DO NOT BUY!!!!!! I AM SERIOUS. This is probably one of the worst birth control pills on the market. It has even been proven in some medical trials to be the CAUSE of acne, NOT PREVENTION. Also, I never had a Urinary Tract Infection before I started this pill. However, I got UTIs almost every month. This birth control pill is NOT WORTH THE PRICE--even if it was free. I had to make an appointment with the physician to find a different birth control pill. If the acne doesn't kill you, then the bladder infections will.
March 9, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Didn't get pregnant and got my period on time.
Cons:
My boobs got HUGEE. They grew about a cup size in a month, but they are very sore. I have also been really moody, and have woken up almost every night for the past two weeks with night sweats! I also gained about 5 pounds, especially on my hips&tumm
I am not taking it anymore....the cons are too much for me. I DON'T recommend Yasmin!
March 7, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Makes my boobs feell really soar, never had really bad acne, only used it for about 2 weeks.
Cons:
BAd headaches, soar boobs, growing boobs, can't sleep at night
i guess my body has to get used to it first. this is my first birthcontrol so i think i'll be good. its just to regulate my period.
March 2, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
just pop in a pill
Cons:
Anything that messes with your horomones could be a red flag. In my case it caused me to have very depressing thoughts and feel as though I was in a fog everyday I was taking it.
There should be warnings on this product because I am a very outgoing and happy person, and this product made me think crazy. It made me feel sick in the morning, I felt extremely irritable, and just plain depressed. The lowest I have ever felt in my life. I would cry in the morning for no reason and see no end to any of my problems. I am also very active in exercising and it would cause my heart to beat so fast that I felt as though I was having a heart attack. I didn't even finish 2 full weeks because it made me so bad. Be very careful about taking this medication and if you have any of those symptoms call your doctor or get off of it. I finally feel like myself again after being off of it for 2 weeks. They really should re-evaluate this product.
February 21, 2009
Pros:
There was really no topical cream that would help my skin. I started taking ortho and it at first made me break out, but I think that was part of the process of clearing my skin. My skin is a lottt better now, and I dont break out nearly as much.
Cons:
None--no weight gain, no mood changes, no nausea at all
There are no negative side effects, and it truly did help my skin when nothing else would.
February 17, 2009
Pros:
Predictable periods, except I didn't have one last month, acne clear, less irritable, protects from pregnancy.
Cons:
tender breasts a lot, missed period, weight gain, too many hormones, tiredness, severe nausea first month on it
Its good overall. Just don't know if its normal to just skip a period on it, took all the placebo pills and nothing. But does help with everything else :]
Pros:
Prevents acne, lessens oil (just a bit)