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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5
22.7%
4
34.3%
3
21.2%
2
13.1%
1
8.8%

Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

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January 21, 2007

Pros:

Helped clear skin up

Cons:

In between bleeding
Having to take it everyday
Seems to make cramps a lot worst

This is my 2nd time using this product the first time I didn't have much acne so don't remember if it really did anything. Now I have really bad acne and have noticed a difference in my skin.
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January 16, 2007

Pros:

Minor cramps with period, no real serious mood swings, no depression

Cons:

helped my skin a little, but still get acne now and then. The biggest con and why I'm getting of it is into the fourth month my sex drive just vanished.

Ive heard birth control can zap your sex drive among causing other serious problems, but OTC Lo sounded like it might not since the hormone doses are low, but losing your sex drive is worse than having to use condoms.
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January 15, 2007

Pros:

made my periods shorter and less painful, almost no cramps, didn't give me any stomach problems, no nausea, cleared up my acne after 3 months of continued use :0)

Cons:

expensive if you don't have insurance

I take Ortho Lo. I really like it. The Ortho Lo isn't proven to clear up acne, but I think that it has helped my complexion a lot! I started Retin A Micro around the same time as this pill. I noticed that my face was getting really bad. I stopped Retin A Micro after 2 months of using it cuz my face was look'n like totally horrible (really irritated, and red). After 2 weeks of stopping retin A, and continuing to use the Ortho Lo pills my skin has cleared up. I now just apply benzoyl peroxide at night. In the morning I just wash my face and apply my moisturizer and then my makeup and I'm good. I think that Ortho Lo has helped to clear up my face (I have moderate acne, but it got a lot worse while using Retin A).I don't know if these pills will help everyone, but it's worth it to give it a shot.
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January 6, 2007

Pros:

haven't been able to really tell

I've been on both OTC and pro-active for months and my acne didn't seem to improve any more than it had at the beginning. I have tried everything else before starting this combination..including accutane, and many other prescribed topical treatments. I am now trying a new cleansing line from germany..Chris Ferral. It's both helped and made my acne worse. I've decided to commit to it, even though my acne has gotten worse, because they said it takes a few weeks to work. Get worse to get better. But its really made me feel ugly, and I've lost alot of self-esteem, and a boyfriend over it. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be more than happy to try them. Thanks.
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January 2, 2007

Pros:

Takes away cramps during periods.

Cons:

I feel as though I gained a few pounds, nothing serious.

I have been using OTC for 2 years and I have been nothing but satisfied with it. I used to get unbearable pains during my period. So bad I would not be able to sleep at night. Once I started used OTC I feel absolutely no cramps. I feel as though I gained a few pounds, probably not noticeable to anyone but myself. However, that could be do to anything. My sex drive descreased a little, but it's still there!
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January 2, 2007

Pros:

low period
no cramps at all

Cons:

low sex drive,

i dont know if im taking the right pill for my acne. i've been taking OTC lo for 1 month and 3 days and until now, my stupid big nasty pimples are still on my face. but il still hang on it for a month and if i dont see any improvement yet, then il deal on that when that time comes.
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December 25, 2006
i have been on ***OTC LO*** for a little over a month and i'm quite happy with it! at first i was terrified after reading about some horrible side effects, but my mind was put to ease after the first day. i can take the pill on an empty stomach without nausea, i haven't gained any weight, and my acne is clearing up! the only thing i'd recommend is that if you're taking this to clear up your acne you should make sure you still cleanse your face morning and night and use moisturizer and any spot treatments. the only negative effect i've noticed is that my sex drive has gone down, but i expected that so it wasn't a surprise. good luck to everyone!
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December 15, 2006
Just Last week I started on Ortho Lo to help clear up my Acne. After the first month when i get adjusted to the pill I'll switch to Regular Ortho. Is that a good Idea? Is Ortho Lo and Ortho Regular basically the same thing just a bit less hormones?? I'm so confused and don't know if I'm doing the right thing! advice please!
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December 15, 2006

Pros:

I have only been on it for a week but I was on Tri Cylen Lo for about two months but I just wasn't liking it, it worked a bit but not good enough for me! Plus I read that Tri Cyclen can be really good for acne, so I am trying it.

Cons:

I am having terrible a terrible break out right now, on my chin and forehead... I'm going to try and wait it out but it's hard when you're waking up with more pimples each day.

It's cheap for me since my mom has health insurance or whatever it is. I am praying to God it puts an end to my terrible appearance.
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December 10, 2006

Pros:

none

Cons:

i didnt have acne when i staretd using this so i dont know why my doctorprescribed it but now i have mild acne taht will nto go away!

it is horrible and gave me acne!
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