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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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December 6, 2006

Pros:

Cleared up my mild acne and I did not gain weight.

Cons:

Since it's low hormone, you have to take it at the exact same time every day or you will have break-through bleeding and mild cramping and the cost is high even with most insurance since there is no generic form as of yet.

THIS IS A RATING FOR ORTHO TRI-CYCLENE LO! I came here to try to find reviews for Tri-nessa and OTC regular but after reading the reviews I have decided to go back on OTC-lo immediately b/c I've been on Tri-Nessa (way cheaper) for only 10 days and acne is back and have gained 4 pounds. I wanted to give ADVICE TO ACNE SUFFERERS as well. I have had mild acne/severe break outs (however you want to look at it) since I was 15. I am now 24 years old and finally found a sure fix for it just within the last six months. 1) I use Clinique 3 step system. Excpet I subsitute the face soap with Clinique Acne Solutions Foaming Cleanser 2) I use Clinique Perfectly Real Powder Compact for a base foundation (with lots of the 3rd step lotion first since it can be drying). 3) OTC-lo I know it sounds like a Clinique endorsement but it's the ONLY thing that has worked for me. I even tried Pro-Activ to no avail. I found the foundation was the key (and my last miracle step) as it di
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December 4, 2006

Pros:

Cleared up my moderate, hormonal acne within 2 months of taking it! I have not had ANY breakouts since I started 5 months ago.

Cons:

It always makes me a little nausous on the first couple pills in a new pack...nothing too severe though.

I believe that Ortho Tri-Cyclen will work for you if you have hormonal acne due to teenage hormones and have tried oral antibiotics and topicals with no dramatic change. From my research, online and talking to people, I think it helps moderate to severe hormonal acne and can possibly make mild cases worse.
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November 30, 2006

Pros:

I'm not too sure yet but it seems to be clearing up my acne

Cons:

Don't know yet

I was on Yaz for about 3 months and by the third day I broke out. It was so disheartening because I have always had clear skin. Now I have switched to OTC. I have been on it for about 5 days and it seems like my skin is slowly looking better. Hopefully it will completely clear my skin up soon.
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November 23, 2006
I had mild acne when I first started using OTC. Within the first month or so, my acne went from mild to severe. When I don't take birth control my acne clears up. I've switched to other forms of birth control (the ring, otc-lo...) and I still have the same issues. Also, nothing I've tried has worked to clear up my acne, and I've tried it all! So for now, I'm on a search with a dermatologist to find something that works in hopes that I can continue to use birth control.
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November 20, 2006
I have been on OTC Lo for about 8 months...the first 5 months my skin was 100% completely clear but now i have been getting a few break outs here and there, im thinking of switching to OTC, but still OTC Lo isn't bad. My acne is about 70% better now then it had been before i got on it.
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November 20, 2006

Pros:

I don't really know yet

Cons:

A little mood swingy but that's about it.

Well I started OTC about a month and a half ago for birth control reasons, but I was optimistic about the acne benefits of it also. I have been using Benzaclin, a benzoyl peroxide acne cream for about 2 1/2 years and that worked great, but I still got a few small breakouts around my period. The problem is now I'm breaking out pretty bad. I am still in my second month of OTC, and I don't want to stop it because it seems like maybe it will clear up and I still need the birth control, so is there anyone who had really bad acne the first month or two or three but it cleared up? and should I keep using the benzaclin?
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November 19, 2006

Pros:

Face is clearing up a tiny but ...

Cons:

A few days before I start my water pills I break out horribly ... Before I went on the pill it was a bunch of little ones now its a few large ones ... hopefully this is a sign itll clear up 100%

Well .. I have a question. Ive been on ortho tri cyclen regular for about 2 months. Im starting my 3rd month in 7 days ... Anyways ... my face clears up 100% right after I get my period But it gets pretty bad before my period How long should I wait to know if its working Im so depressed now it isnt even funny: Should I at least give it til the end of the 3rd month Thanks
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November 16, 2006

Pros:

cleared up my acne when nothing else would, no side affects with me

Cons:

u have to get blood work done everymonth females must be on birth control and

FOR ALL U PPL OUT THERE WITH BAD ACNE!Im 24 i had horriable acne since i was 13 nothing would help it creams, anitbiotics,nothig.my acne was so bad sometime i would get these cystic pimples that would cause my face to swell up like a chipmunk so finially My dermatologist put me on ACUTANE ask ne one who has used it,it's a miracle drug it starts clearing up in 2 to 3 months by the 6th month ur face will be completely clear i guarentee that. Then after 6 months your face stays clear forever and you stop the medication. i know a few other ppl who also had bad acne and used this medication and they had the same results.the only down side is its a serious drug so u have to do blood work every month to make sure every thing is good and females must be on birth control cause you absolutely cannot get pregnat until u've been off of it for atleast 6 months.but to have a clear face it was definetly worth it.to get it so if nothing has worked for u i promise this will just ask dermatolgist for it
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October 31, 2006

Pros:

i used to take alese it did nothing for acne but make me gain wieght and im thinking avbout taking tri cyclin not to sure if it works

Cons:

i dont knwo yet

seriously i have bad acne i hate it so much. i am depressed and i hate myself and i never want to leave my house and see my friends or my b.f cauz i am afraid he'll think i am ugly. i am going crayz i have tried everyhting i dont know what to do anymore. DOES ANYTHING WORK. i jsut want to live a normal life without ahving to worry about how gross my skin looks without makeup. i tried oral antibotic and they made it worse and dried my skin out so bad. Does tri cyclin work does anyone know anyhting taht works HELP ME plz im losing it.
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October 30, 2006

Pros:

I use Yaz and it has lessened my periods to only 2-3 days and made my moods generally more agreeable. Also, I rarely have cramps anymore.

Cons:

My acne has become horribly out of control. Before begining my bc regimen, I used proactive for a few years, had minimal breakouts. Now, my face is out of control. Furthermore, the acne is not in typical places, but on my cheeks& neck.

Bottom line, I would say use with caution. My gyno said the acne should be gone within three months, so I would encourage you to try it for a while, but if by that point your acne is not gone it may be time to try a more typical b.c. known for fighting acne.
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