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

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June 10, 2009

Pros:

Prevents pregnancy, lighter shorter periods, cleared skin until period starts, decreased breast tenderness and cramps.

Cons:

KILLS YOUR SEX DRIVE!!! Moodiness, irritability, depression, fatigue, weight gain, more emotional and sensitive to everything, lack of passion for anything.

I'm 32 years old and I've been on Ortho Tri Cyclen for 10 years and initially gained 5 pounds right off the bat and now 10 years later I'm 85 lb. overweight. I have never really changed my eating or exercise habits. Also, at first I loved it and it does work (preventing pregnancy) but it seems like the longer I'm on it the worse my side effects are. I used to want to have sex with my husband and now the thought of having it feels like a chore. It most definitely kills your sex drive and also I just have this BLAH attitude all the time now. I used to be so happy and smiley. I was such a sweet friendly person and now I'm such a b*tch on it. My poor husband doesn't know what to do with me. I'm on my last pack right now and I think I'm going off of it for awhile and see if I can lose some weight and get my sex drive and myself back.
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May 23, 2009

Pros:

regulates period, I no longer have trouble with ovarian cists, prevents pregnancy, low dose is good for someone over 30,

Cons:

makes my skin break out worse than it has in years, gained 12 pounds in the past 8 months since I've been taking it, emotional during the week before my period starts, actually experience heavier periods with a lot of clotting

I stay on it to prevent pregnancy, but I am going to make an appt with my OB next week...I'd like to try another pill (I took Diane before and my skin never looked better)...I'm just afraid of gaining another 12 pounds!!! ;)
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April 21, 2009

Pros:

No pregnancy, period on time.

Cons:

Horrible increase in breakouts (allllll over), weight gain of like 15 pounds, mood swings, depression.

DONT TAKE IT.
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March 6, 2009

Pros:

Lost a lot of weight. Recently went off the pill and gained a TON of weight. Started it back the other day and have a huge decrese in appetite. When I was on it last year, my skin was clear, but not COMPLETELY. Got it at the health department 4 free.

Cons:

none

LOVE IT
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February 2, 2009

Pros:

No weight gain, no acne.

Cons:

Really the only con for me is that I have to remember to take it.

My period is late...is that normal??? I have been taking this for a month and I'm on the period ones, I haven't started my period and I hope it's normal because if not, I'm pregnant and I just had a baby. I can say one thing for sure, if I am pregnant I will never recommend this to anyone.
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December 30, 2008

Pros:

Clear skin

Cons:

Horrible nausea and vomitting, break threw bleeding

I used to have pretty clear skin with the occasional break out, then is started taking orth tri-cyclen and the occasional break outs went away. I couldnt handle the nausea and vomitting everyday so i switched. What a horrible idea. I have been on loestrin and ortho-novum and they both have distroyed my skin, the worst acne i have ever had. I am thinking of switching back to orth tri-cyclen just to get rid of the acne.
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December 24, 2008

Pros:

prevents pregnancy?

Cons:

acne on the back and chest, long periods, extreme moodiness, very tender breast, constipation, gas, just feeling lazy and crappy all the time

I've been on this pill for about three months, so far i hate it but the only reason i'm still on it is i want to stick it out for a couple months to see if my body gets used to it and i'm sick of having the fear of thinking i could be pregnant. The next morning after i started taking it it gave me morning sickness, I have had severe pain in my bladder area thats on and off every day but only last for a few seconds. That stopped after i got my period. It was horrible for the first 3 days, very heavy and terrrible cramps. I am still on my period after a week but no cramps, its very unusual period, bleeds when i pee but not when I don't have a tampon in. Also it gave me acne all over my back and chest which I never get. Can't say it cleared my acne on my face because I didn't really have much. It also makes me moody, I get really irritated by stupid things and mad easily. Also makes me a little depressed. Only plus was it was completely free for a 12 months supply at Planned Parenthood
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November 6, 2008

Pros:

No pregnancy, lighter periods.

Cons:

Bad acne at first, bad nausea everyday, and depression sometimes.

I just started taking it so i think the acne will clear up in time. Also the nausea should go away after the first month, hopefully. Depression has lived with me before the pill so i doubt thats the whole reason..
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October 26, 2008

Pros:

It's also a contraceptive; I don't remember any other pros...

Cons:

If you miss 1 pill you have to take 2 together thus giving you a larger dose of hormones. This defeats the purpose of a low dose to control acne!

I used Ortho Tricyclen Lo a few years ago. My hormones are a primary cause of my acne. I can predict my period based on how many inflammed spots I have. I had to stop using Ortho Lo because it actually made my face worse than it had EVER been. Occassionally I would miss a pill and then have to double up on a dose to make up for it (as the directions tell you to do). Well this double dose of hormones would cause me to break out horribly!! It was NOT worth it. I haven't used birth control pills ever since then...my boyfriend just wears a condom. I really want to try Nuvaring since I wouldn't have to worry about missed doses then!
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October 23, 2008

Pros:

It did help with my acne. My face was clearing up; only had a few small zits here and there. Much improvement. Didn't cause sleeplessness, depression, or irritability as other BCs have done with me.

Cons:

It made me a little sick to my stomach. It caused vivid dreams. But, the worse is that I believed it caused me to have a bad anxiety attack. I don't use it anymore.

When it comes to BC, it's just guessing and testing. If you have bad acne (especially as an adult), and you've never tried a tri-cycle type BC (a different type of pill for each week), then I would suggest to give it a shot. This stuff was helping my acne, and I would have stayed on it if I didn't have the anxiety attack. I tried Yaz before, and it caused minor anxiety attacks, so I know BC can do that to me. I just don't have any luck with this stuff! I hope you have better fortune with this than me because it might help clear your face.
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