Oral Contraceptives
Hormonal Therapy
Reviews
3.3
2743 Reviews
Oral Contraceptives
Hormonal Therapy
Efficacy
63%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Note: Improvement significantly increases after 24 weeks.
Oral Contraceptives
Hormonal Therapy
Side Effects
High
Oral Contraceptives
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.
Oral Contraceptives
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.
Read All About Oral Contraceptives
Compare To Other Treatments
5
19.7%
4
30.4%
3
21.8%
2
16%
1
12%

Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

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October 24, 2007
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

Skin completely clear, lighter periods

Cons:

When I don't take it, my skin is awful

Works great for me. Tried Yaz and it sucks.
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October 16, 2007

Pros:

clears skin, regulates periods, prevents pregnancy

Cons:

nausea occurs when first starting otc, but goes away after first pack. However, this is a side effect of otc.

OTC works very well at regulating periods, and does help to clear skin. I saw a significant improvement in my skin after the first pack. They say that it takes about three months to show complete results from using OTC, so just hang in there.
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October 4, 2007
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

Weight loss (loss 20kg in 9 months), prescribed for PCOS and all symtoms went (facial hair/weight gain).

Cons:

Can't think of any.

Find the right birth control pill for you. Some will suit, some won't. But also give it time because all side effects usually settle down (like the break through bleeds you can get on the first couple of cycles).
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October 3, 2007

Pros:

I've been using it for more than a year and I'm not pregnant. My boobs are bigger (which is a pro for me since I was an A, but now a B). My periods are lighter.

Cons:

DEPRESSION. Horrible, horrible gut-wrenching depression. I cry all the time. I feel mentally unstable on this product, honestly. I have never felt so low as I have on this product.

I'm only using OTC-Lo till I can figure out another brand that works for me or if I decide to get off of BC altogether. I'm a full time college student so its been hard making time to make an appointment with the doctor so I can switch brands. It's just easier to pay for the new refill every month. I'm sure plenty of women are not suffering with OTC-lo as I am. But I am in the minority that suffers from depression because of it. I just pray I can bring myself out of this...
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September 25, 2007
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

none... well besides i didnt get pregnant

Cons:

headaches, cranky, heavy period, even with insurance was still expensive

I am bipolar and this is the worst birth control for someone who has a mood disorder. First of all the first three days of taking it i had the worst headache of all time. And then when i was on the 'period' pills the headache came back even worse!!! I was so cranky, it interacted with my meds REAL BAD, it almost counter acted them. It was like I wasn't taking mood disorder meds at all the way i was acting and feeling towards people. This stuff is awful my skin stayed the same and i was just more of a bitch with terrible headaches
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September 2, 2007
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)

Pros:

I'm not pregnate!!

Cons:

I am an emotional mess!! Mood swings and I feel tired all of the time. My boobs are already a great size now they are HUGE!! (Viewer's like but I don't)

-I would recommend this only if you are already on an antidepressant medication and a diet. -I already had a high sex drive and now I am just walking hormones which my boyfriend loves even more. ****BOOBS, ACHNE FREE -VS- THE MONSTER INSIDE. (You decide!!!)
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August 6, 2007

Pros:

regulates period, prevents getting pregnant

Cons:

everything else

I've never had acne before I started using this over 5 years ago. Obviously I'm not on it anymore but I didn't know why at age 22 I was breaking out with acne until after doing alot of research, 3 years after being on it, I figured out it was the birth control pills! I also gained weight and suffer headaches and mood swings from time to time!!! SUCKS
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July 25, 2007

Pros:

clearer skin! (so happy), normal period.

Cons:

trying to never forget taking it at the same time :S! headaches and spotting first month.

I've been reading all these posts and it literally made me want to try this birthcontrol. Also, because i needed to start on it anytime soon so I decided to pick OTC. I suffered from bad acne and oily skin since age 14. So of course im happy. First month i had spotting since i started the sunday on my period. Now on the second month it stopped and i dont worry about my skin. The only thing I do (in a way) worry about it taking it everytime..at the same time. SAME TIME! Perfect hormones = perfect skin. Well for me :) GOODLUCK to the rest. I didnt gain weight. Everyones different but the normal gaining is 5 pounds or less if you do gain weight. The rest is all in your head. ANd keep positive and dont believe the pills make you moody. Not saying they dont but it does help thinking they dont. Didnt for me because i found that to be bull :P THo, everyones different.
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July 14, 2007

Pros:

Ortho has been good to me in the past

Cons:

Don't use the generic version (TriNessa)! Gave me a weird breakout...

I decided a couple months ago to switch from Yasmin back to Ortho for one reason or another. When I had picked up my Rx from the pharmacy I realized they had given me the generic version, TriNessa. I decided to give it a try and it was the worst decision of my life. I ended up breaking out and couldn't figure out why since I hadn't done anything differently from my usual regime. I then realized that I was on TriNessa and had been for the month that my breakout began and quickly worsened. The next month I decided to ask my pharmacist to give me Ortho and not the generic. I've been back on Ortho for a couple weeks now and my face seems to be clearing up slowly. The other weird thing is that the acne caused by TriNessa (or I believe it was cause by it) are different from any other acne breakouts I've had in the past. They are tiny bumps concentrated on my forehead, nose, and cheeks. Considering seeing a dermatologist...
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July 6, 2007

Pros:

I can't think of any

Cons:

acne worse than ever, gained 2 lbs eating 500 cals a day, start spotting on the dark blue (3rd week pills). Didn't get my period as soon as I started the green pills but on the FIFTH day of them.

Ortho Tri Cyclen (regular, not low) can cause all the side effects that low can. I've also had panic attacks, depression, and stomach sickness. I'm starting my second month on it now and thinking about just giving up.
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The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

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