Oral Contraceptives
Results
Side Effects

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.

 [more]
3.5
1015
5
22.7%
4
34.3%
3
21.2%
2
13.1%
1
8.8%

Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
Number of Stars
Choose All That Apply
Clear All Filters
Done
May 11, 2008

Pros:

knowing i won't get pregnant

Cons:

you have to remember to take it at the same time daily, (some have to do it hiding it from your parents) AND it stopped my periods alltogether

I have been on the pill for 4 years. First it seemed to do some good, but after a few months my body got used to it and all the acne came back. I still stayed on the pill for contraception, but i stopped taking it after 4 years. That was over 3 years ago,and i still dont have a period. I have been to several doctors, all of them giving me pills to start ovulating again, but thats just even more hormones. I would never, never ever even consider taking them again. Maybe my period will never come back and i won;t be able to have children
This Was Helpful

9 user(s) found this helpful

Report
April 23, 2008

Pros:

SHORTER PERIODS

Cons:

WEIGHT GAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I HAVE BEEN USING THIS FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW, AND THE ONE REASON I DID NOT WANT TO START TAKING BC IS BECAUSE OF WEIGHT GAIN, WELL WHAT DO YOU KNOW. THIS IS THE BIGGEST THING THAT IM STRUGGLING WITH NOW.....I WATCH MY SODIUM INTAKE AND WORK OUT. I CAN'T STAND THIS. I ALSO HAVE AN INCREASED APPETITE, WHICH DOESN'T HELP ANYTHING...I JUST DONT TRUST BC..
This Was Helpful

Report
April 23, 2008

Pros:

i'm not pregnant

Cons:

emotional, mood swings, and developed acne

I have never had acne in my life, in the past month i have developed postules, cysts, bumps. I am very emotional from one extreme to another, i feel like a completly different person and not in a good way
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
April 21, 2008

Pros:

I guess not getting pregnant...

Cons:

ACNE!!!! Nausia

I chose this pill to help my skin. It has been 2.5 months and my skin is the biggest nightmare I've ever seen. Postules, cysts, bumbs, redness EVERYWHERE! I thought it was bad before but this is torture. I know they say wait 3-4 months but come on!
This Was Helpful

Report
April 21, 2008

Cons:

sore breast, mood swings, depression, acne, upset stomach, reduced sex drive, body pains, weight gain!!!

this pill completely changed me and i wouldnt recommend taking it.
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
March 24, 2008

Pros:

No babies, cleared skin at first, more regular periods

Cons:

Depression, weight gain, spotting, tender breasts, seemed to stop helping my acne, reduced sex drive

Other than mild mood swings, this pill seemed to work wonderfully at first. It started to clear my acne right away. I've always had irregular periods and this really helped to regulate them. After about 4 months I started spotting in between periods. I've always been pretty skinny and had a healthy sex drive, but after 3 months I started gaining weight (about 8lbs) and had a reduced sex drive. I've been taking the pill for about 7 months now and I've started experiencing bad depression where I'm crying nightly, can't get out of bed, and having mood swings. My breats are tender and it doesn't seem to be helping my acne anymore.
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
March 8, 2008

Pros:

not pregnant

Cons:

a had just got rid of my mild acne i started talking ortho try cyl lo and i got the worst pimples ever like two days to seven days later

dont take this it makes some people break out and i was going crazy crying at everything and its so unlike me bla
This Was Helpful

Report
February 20, 2008

Pros:

not sure yet.

Cons:

nausea, vomiting, stomach pains

ok my first day really sucked. My doctor told me to take two pills for my first time. i took them at 10:30pm with food. went to sleep at 12:00 still felt ok. around 3:30am i woke up and felt like vomiting. the pit of my stomach hurt and was turning. I ate bread and drank water, it helped alittle, but i didnt feel better until it was out of my system. I used the bathroom like 3 hours later. Then i finally fell asleep. It was the worse feeling ever.Im thinking of changing the time to afternoon. and i only taking one pill. im not giving up yet. wish me luck!
This Was Helpful

Report
February 7, 2008

Pros:

Not pregnant.

Cons:

DEPRESSION, MOODINESS, WEIGHT GAIN, FATIGUE, HEADACHES, WORSE ACNE

Ortho Tri Cyclen is not worth it. I stayed on it for the minimum "trial period" of 3 months to see if it would help decrease my acne. Lo and behold, my acne got worse...and I became a moody, depressed fat person, even though I exercise 6 days/week, which is supposed to make you not fat and release endorphins! It was awful and not worth 1 second for me.
This Was Helpful

Report
January 15, 2008

Pros:

NONE

Cons:

IT MADE ME BREAK OUT SO BAD AROUND THE 3RD MOUNTH. WORKED WELL AT FIRST BUT THEN GAVE ME REALLY BAD CYSTIC ACNE ON MY CHECKS. THEY LEFT REALLY BAD RED SCARS.

I WOULDNT RECCOMENT THIS PRODUCT. I SWITCHED TO ORTHO TRICYCTLEN FROM MY OTHER BIRTH CONTROL ORTHO NOVUMM. THAT A A HUGE MISTAKE. I HAD NEVER REALLY HAD THAT BAD OF ACNE OR SCARS. BUT AFTER TAKING THIS I BROKE OUT SO BAD, LIKE NEVER BEFORE. AFTER GETTING OFF THIS BIRTH CONTROL MY SKIN CLEARED UP AGAIN. BUT IT TOOK AROUND 2 MONTHS. NOW I AM LEFT WITH HORRIBLE ACNE SCARS.
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 5 6 7 8 9 10
Next

Relevant Article(s):

Finding a Doctor

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:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website