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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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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August 4, 2011

Pros:

Cheap with insurance.

Cons:

Smelly periods, vaginal pain and large blood clots.

Yet another medication I did not want nor need prescribed for my acne. I took this long before Yaz and though it's nowhere near the severity of side effects, I still got some pretty bad ones. My periods smelled "normal" before the pill, but after taking it I developed a horrible smell. It smelt like something had died! After stopping the pill, I went back to having normal smelling periods and no extreme clotting.
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April 22, 2009

Pros:

dont kno yet

Cons:

none so far

Dont really know yet i only used it for three days but i pray it clears up my acne!!!!
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April 21, 2008

Cons:

bad acne,no change in period,mood swings

I've been on it for 3 months and have worse acne than I did before I started this. I get zits on my legs, which I have never experienced before. My periods are still heavy and last just as long.I get emotional (cry, yell) very easily since I've started this.
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October 21, 2007

Pros:

clear skin, regular periods, lighter periods. Not pregnant.

Cons:

have to remember to take it every day, same time. Lower sex drive (I think). I rather have clear skin. I'm vain.

OTC only works for HORMONAL ACNE! If you break out before your period OTC can help for most women. I would always breakout right before my period, around my mouth and jaw. OTC cleared up the problem. No more breakouts at all. The only thing is you have to keep on taking the pill. Once you stop your hormones will go back to the mess they were before you started the pill. It's free if you go to a clinic and have no insurance. I don't think it causes weight gain. Face it, this is America. We eat a lot of junk and we are completely lazy!
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August 18, 2009

Pros:

Well I started using it 2 days ago because I have mild acne and they say its really good for acne, but ill see how it works...

Cons:

The first night I took it it gave me a headache.

Any birthcontrol is good to take because it helps you have regular periods and less cramps so I will keep using this product.
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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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June 14, 2012

Pros:

-No acne
-Period only lasts 2-3 days

Cons:

-Headaches
-Blurred Vision
-Confusion
-Anxiety
-Hunger
-Periods still vary

This is my 3rd month on this type of birth control and I can tell that my health is different overall. I used to eat very healthy and it was easy for me to go all day with just a salad. Now after taking this type of birth control it has increased my appetite tremendously. Overall I just need to give it more time to see if it is effective or not!
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September 28, 2011

Pros:

None

Cons:

Uncontrollable appetite
Anxious and depressed feeling
Breast soreness
Bleeding
Cramps

Overall, I've felt like I've had bad PMS every day since starting this pill. My emotions are all over the place - one minute I'm fine, the next I'm crying and barely want to leave the house. My skin hasn't cleared at all, and in fact, might even be worse than before. My breasts are painful and I had a few days of intense cramps. I think the worst has been my appetite, though - hunger and bad cravings even after eating a meal.
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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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