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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January 12, 2009

Pros:

Ortho Tri-Cyclen LO is great. I was on that before and had no side effects whatsoever. I definitely recommend pills with low estrogen. But, everyone's body is different, so you just have to try and see what works for you...

Cons:

Hi, just trying to get the word out about the terrible side effects of Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I was taking the generic version of it, Mononessa, and experienced SEVERE depression. I also had an increased appetite and crazy mood swings. Made me psycho.

After getting off of the Ortho Tri-Cyclen (Mononessa), I am now on Lutera (which I think is supposed to be the equivalent of Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo). I just started my first pill today, so hopefully this one works better for me! If you have any questions about birth control, feel free to email me: brit101903@[link removed]. I'm not a doctor or anything; just someone with a lot of personal experience! Good luck, Brittany
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February 4, 2011

Pros:

None

Cons:

Daily headeaches
depression
acne
increased appetite
moodness
racy thoughts
water retention

Don't take it! I went to hell with this medication. I broke out even more than before. My acne got so bad that my face looked disgusting! The worse of all was the depression and anxiety, which also came with an ancontrolable appetite. I gained 20 pound within a month, and went to my University's doctor crying, because I felt like doodoo in every sense of the way. The doctor said that it was one of the worse birth control pills on the market, and that she had many patiences sufering from the same simptoms. So I am not alone.
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November 8, 2009

Pros:

regulate periods, possibly clearing of face, comfort having unprotected sex with my bf

Cons:

tender breast, possible breast increase (they were already huge), possible bloat

I was just introduced Natural Family Planning and i beleive that its a wonderful thing. No side affects at all. Its a great recommendation :)
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October 23, 2009

Pros:

my boobs r huge

Cons:

iam bloated, the first week i was emotinal. and my face broke out into a rash.

its been awhile since i have been on the pill. so im giving my body sometime to adjust. i just starte dback last week. i have had one minor breakdown, huge boobs which is a plus. but my face and neck have a itchy rash. im hoping this goes away in the next couple of days. all and all im may just get the minera.
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September 27, 2009

Pros:

I have not taken ortho tri-clycen, but my sister and best friend did and I wanted to share their stories. My sisters skin did get better, however, there were serious adverse effects you need to be warned about

Cons:

Serious adverse effects included suicidal and morbid thoughts. Both my sister and friend gained weight, and their personalities completely changed. My sister kept having the same terrible worries our family would die the whole time she took it

BE VERY WARY of psychological side effects as well as physical ones. My friend pushed her roommate away and caused her boyfriend to break up with her. Both her and my sister couldnt figure out what was wrong, but all their psychological unsteadiness stopped when they discontinued their use of the pill. My friend stopped because her and her boyfriend broke up, and we were lucky enough to realize the pill was messing with my sister's mind. I wasn't the one that took the pill, but felt it important enough to warn you about this pill.
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January 7, 2012

Pros:

No weight!
Short period! (three days)
No pregnant!
Less acnes

Cons:

rarely headache

I used Tri-spritic for almost 3 years but I was gained wight around 30bls during college year. I was not happy about it and decided to stop Tri-spritic for one year. My bf was worried when I was off BC because we dont want to have a baby or not protect from sex. So he wanted me back to on BC. I dont want to back to on BC (tri-spritic) and I found out that my friend use Ortho Tri-Cyclen. My friend said that this BC is great and less effective. She told me try it and I love it! My insurance is pay this BC from Parenthood and do not go to regular pharmacy because they wont pay for it. Only Parenthood willing to pay from insurance.
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November 17, 2011

Pros:

Bigger breasts
Predictable periods
Way less acne

Cons:

Unbelievabley Painful cramps
Moodyness ALL month
Depression
Slowly dwindling sex drive

I've been on the pill for almost 2 years. AT first the nausea and acne breakouts were almost unbarable but I stayed with it. My acne has definitely Improved by 90%. In the last 3-6 months Ive noticed a very dramatic downhill slope in my mood. I didn't even realize why until recently. It's hard to notice so you have to pay attention. I caught myself yelling at my boyfriend when I realized something was way wrong. And I never had cramps before the pill and now I'm almost crippled the day I start and the whole week before is hell in everyway including migraines, cramps, grumpy, extreme fatigue and discomfort Down there. I guess everyone is different but I feel like this pill will either negatively affect you now or later.
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November 13, 2011

Pros:

not pregnant
higher libido
bigger breasts

Cons:

weight gain
i cry all the time
dryness
bleeding after sex
higher appetite

you don't get pregnant. you do gain a lot of weight though. i've been on OTCL for about 5 months now and i've gained 10-15 lbs. none of my pants fit me and i haven't changed my eating habits. if anything i'm eating less and working more. i mostly always bleed after having sex (very lightly but still inconvenient). and you worry if it's because of other stuff... i want to eat all the time though! it's crazy, i have to force myself to not eat. oh and it smells funny down there... it turns off my boyfriend so i gotta make sure i shower regularly - preferably before sex. no acne. i do feel tired all the time! i take naps so often. i used to be okay with 6-7hrs of sleep but now i sleep 10 hrs on the weekends and still feel tired! i really want to switch, any recommendations?
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December 6, 2009

Pros:

can enjoy sex without a condom with my bf. the best thing im not pregnant.

Cons:

thow up couple time n really moodyy sometimes

its worth it goin threw all the wick stomach and dizziness cause u dont get pregnantt and thats the best thing and thats what everybody looks for on a birthcontrol pill.
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September 26, 2011

Pros:

Minimal side effects first 6 months
Very little to no acne
No excessive bloating first 6 months
No weight gain first 6 months

Cons:

Month 7 started feeling really bloated and had sore breasts
Extremely hungry a lot of times
Feeling very sleepy for past 3 months
Water retention

EVERY PILL HAS SIDE EFFECTS AND THEY ALL ONLY WORK FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AT LEAST FOR ME EVERYONE'S DIFFERENT. I RECOMMEND SWITCHING PILLS EVERY 6 MONTHS TO ANYONE THAT GIVES YOU THE LEAST SIDE EFFECTS THAT'LL KEEP YOU BALANCED
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