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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ortho

June 24, 2009

Pros:

clear skin, predictable and light period, no menstrual cramps

Cons:

Nothing for the first 4 years of use.

The bottom line is, OTC was a really good BCP for me for the first 4 years while I was on it. I did not suffer from any problems, my skin was free of pimples, and everything was just dandy. However, the pill seems to be losing its power to keep my skin under control. My skin is now breaking out and is REALLY oily (this never happened prior taking BCP), and I am also experiencing chronic yeast infection that keeps coming back every month. Furthermore, this pill also made me emotionally unstable. I was on OTC before, now I am currently taking OTC-Lo, in hopes that less hormone in my body will fix some of the problems.

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Leslie

June 23, 2009

Pros:

Bigger Boobs, Weight Gain

Cons:

Worsed Acne, Changed my mood drastically, Weight Gain

I got this pill free from a local Planned Parenthood. I decited to take it because im not very smart at safe sex and thought it would help with my skin. My skin has cleared up before than it use to be. I took it for about a week and saw bad changes happen to me. My skin is now worse than before, my mood has altered significantly in a bad way and made me gain weight. I put the gain weight in both the pro and con because I am a petite girl so a few pounds will show however it did give me bigger boobs, which I enjoy. Overall I do not like this pill. I just stopped taking it because I cannot handle how it has changed my mood and worsened my skin. I am feeling sad, angry and just lost at everything.I do not like this free pill.

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Lisa

May 23, 2009

Pros:

regulates period, I no longer have trouble with ovarian cists, prevents pregnancy, low dose is good for someone over 30,

Cons:

makes my skin break out worse than it has in years, gained 12 pounds in the past 8 months since I've been taking it, emotional during the week before my period starts, actually experience heavier periods with a lot of clotting

I stay on it to prevent pregnancy, but I am going to make an appt with my OB next week...I'd like to try another pill (I took Diane before and my skin never looked better)...I'm just afraid of gaining another 12 pounds!!! ;)

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Stephanie

May 15, 2009

Pros:

it gets rid of acne and gives you a light period... for me i had no weight gain at all.. infact i lost almost 40 lbs!

Cons:

if you have any emotional problems or depression.. do not take it-- especially if you have PMDD!!!! the pill made my pmdd a million times worse... i found myself crying about everything-everyday. it kills relationships. it made me feel crazy.

it's a great pill as long as you are mentalllly stable. The fact that the dossage in each pill would get higher everyweek made it so i could feel my hormones go crazy every sunday after the new pill. my boyfriend and I almost broke up so many times during the week before my period would start. i remember really noticing that my hormones were a little out of wack when i found myself crying-no balling- at the sight of a dung beatle rolling poop up a hill and i started talking about how beautiful a role they play on earth and how thankful i am for them.... now this is true and all... but it wasn't really a reason to start balling.

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Smile

May 5, 2009

Pros:

Prevents pregnancy, increased breast size

Cons:

Breakthrough bleeding, breast tenderness, initial acne breakout

Im finishing up on my first month so the effects ive had could just be due to my body getting used to the pill (Ortho Tri CYclen LO). I started breaking out pretty badly along my jawline (and on my back-very odd for me) at first but the breakouts have stopped and now seem to be going down. Hopefully by next month ill be clearing up. What bothered me was the breakthough bleeding. I get my period for a day or two then it stops. This has been going on all month and is so annoying. My boobs have gotten bigger! YEY! Not as tender as they were two weeks ago. Overall I think I need to just give it more time. My past experience on BC has been great- totally cleared up my skin so Im trying to get back to that point again. I'll post again in a couple months.

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tory

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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Jacob H.

April 19, 2009

Pros:

No pregnancy / Cleared up all acne / Full Breasts / Nice thick hair / Period always came on the same day / No cramps (ever)

Cons:

Hormones destroyed my gallbladder

I loved everything about being on birth control (OTC Regular) except the fact that after taking it for 6 years it made me very sick. I've been told by my GI that since gallbladder problems ran in my family (maternal side) taking the extra hormones ultimately lead to my gallbladder functioning at 10% its capacity. Because of the hell I went through I had to get it removed. I'd recommend doing some tests and talking to OB's about the various possible problems that may arise from taking higher dosed birth control pills.

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Marie

April 14, 2009

Pros:

Lighter Periods. Lost Body Acne, no effect on my mood, cleared my body acne.

Cons:

Acne around the Mouth, Vision worsen, Breasts always swollen, bloated all the time ( even if i dont eat )

I was on OTC Lo for 6 months. It was okey for my acne and my body until 6 months. It was when acne started to come out. Ive decided to switch to OTC Regular hoping to cure my acne. I was advised that it takes 4 months for it to take effect. But of no luck. Acne got worse. I was on the 5th pack that I decided to get off the pill. Its been 2 weeks now and my acne is getting crazy. I think my body is still adjusting to the new set up. I hope that within 2 months my acne would be better. I took BCP solely for my acne. But it did not help. I was bit relieved that it did not help with my acne. At least I wont get hooked up with the pill taking into consideration the negative effect it might do for your body. As what others say, it takes some time for your body to adjust. but it did not work for me so i decided to stop.

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Lia

March 26, 2009

Pros:

Prevents pregnancy, cheaper than other birth control pills, no break-through bleeding, breast growth

Cons:

Slight weight gain and increase in hunger, nausea, slight dizziness, FATIGUE, minor headaches, MOOD SWINGS, INCREASE IN ACNE

I went on Ortho Tricyclen Lo primarily to prevent pregnancy. When my doctor told me that it may also help with my acne, I was a little excited. Although my acne before going on the pill wasnt severe, I would get breakouts before my period or if I had my makeup on overnight. Since going on the pill, I noticed many differences in my skin - the type of acne changed and started appearing on different places on my face than what i was used to. My pores got bigger and the overall appearance of my skin worsened. It's not TOO terrible but considering the fact that many women go on this pill expecting that it will clear their acne, Ortho Tricyclen was a huge disappointment. I gained around 4-6 pounds, but I've only been on the pill for three months, so this weight may balance off. I tend to feel a little sick to my stomach an hour or so after taking the pill. A major side effect is fatigue; I feel very tired especially in the mornings. I also cry more often now and have unexpected mood swing

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Monika

March 22, 2009

Pros:

I don't really know yet I just started taking it about four days ago

Cons:

Dont know this yet either

O.K. I have been on BC 14 years now and I have tried it all. I have had the "SHOT",Lo-ovral,Yasmine,Yaz,IUD,and I am now on Tri Cy Lo. I have have the worst problems with all of it. I've been in a fog for about a year and a half and I am ready to feel normal again. Girls let me tell you DO NOT take yasmine or Yaz it is awful. I have had more bad side effects on those than any I have ever taken. My poor husband dont even know who i am anymore.Bottom line if you are married or just a happy sain person dont take those two.I hope this new one works for me. GOOD LUCK LADIES!!

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