Acne.org Products
Hormonal Therapy
Efficacy
63%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Note: Improvement significantly increases after 24 weeks.
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.
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.
Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
June 11, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Cons:
Frequent Urination, moodiness at first, but subsided -- see Bottom Line
I used the generic, Ocella. I gave this pill 3 months,and it came through wonderfully. Months 1 and 2 were rough, but my skin has not had any new breakouts in month 3. I was having bad mood swings, but happened to get a blood workup from the doctor and found out my Vitamin D was EXTREMELY low. I started taking prescription Vitamin D supplements about the time my 3rd month of Ocella started, and the mood swings went away completely, and now my skin is clear. I'd recommend this to anyone who has hormonal acne. I'm 26 years old.
June 11, 2009
Pros:
This pill prevents pregnancy (so far) with little weight gain. I have very little period symptoms where I had horrible symptoms before, and my period is lights and usually short.
Cons:
I have acne problems on my cheeks, and I've never had acne there before. I cry at the drop of a hat. I don't get my period until my fourth placebo pill.
I started out on a generic version of this. I gained a few pounds, had a little acne and I went up a cup size. When I switched, my weight went back to normal. I've only gained about a pound since before everything I started birth control. On OTC, my symptoms are better, but I don't get my period until the fourth day. I'm really emotional, and I'm constantly worried about being pregnant. I am a little moodier than before. My acne is what bothers me. I never broke out on my cheeks before I took OTC, and now... it's bad. During the week that I'm off the pill, the acne actually clears up. However, (if you're just looking not to be pregnant) this seems to be a great pill. So far, so good.
May 26, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
No weight gain, bigger chest, hair and nails seem healthier
Cons:
Mood swings more often, nausea constantly, having to pee a lot, HUGE initial breakout, appetite is huge, heavy periods
I just finished my first month so maybe this is too soon to review. I take Ocella, which is the generic of Yasmin. NOTE: OCELLA AND YASMIN ARE MADE BY THE SAME PHARMACEUTICAL LAB AND DO NOT DIFFER AT ALL EXCEPT IN PACKAGING AND YOUR BRAIN THINKING IT'S DIFFERENT. It ain't. It has a big initial breakout, I had lots of deep whiteheads and cysts and it's bringing them up. I'm having to deal with it but my skin seems to be healing which I can wait for! It is working. Made my chest bigger which I don't need because I'm already a 34DD but hey if you're flat it helps. It made my hormones out of control, but it's getting better as time goes on. I would suggest this brand, but STICK to it for at LEAST 3 months. I am improving and my hair & nails seems so much healthier- must be the estrogen. A really good pill, get the generic if you're strapped for cash, works exaaactly the same.
May 13, 2009
Pros:
Whle on it, my acne improved a bit, and my periods were regular
Cons:
WEIGHIT GAIN!!! I used to be a size 4, now im lucky to fit into a size 8! I gained 20 pounds in 3 months! The weight still hasnt come off, 2 years later, even tho i try to work out and eat healthy.
If I could go back in time, I would NEVER take this again. My acne cleared up (not completely) while I was on it, and at first I thought it was great. However, all of a sudden my clothes didnt fit and I hopped on the scale and realized I had gained a whooping 20 pounds in the 3 months I was on it! I went off the pill because I was so horrified about my weight, and unfortunatly, the acne came back, even worse than before! So now I am stuck with worse acne, and weight issues. I urge girls who are looking at this as an option for acne to consider other options first, maybe talk to your doctor about other options first, there are many out there.
May 8, 2009
Pros:
Helps keep acne under control and manageable, prevents pregnancy, regular monthly cycle
Cons:
Doesn't clear acne completely. Having to remember to take the pill at similar time everyday, doesn't work if you get sickess/use antibiotics for other conditions, have to stop using under some circumstances, not suitable for people with migraine
I used BC pills to keep my acne under control following Roaccutane, though whilst on them I was never clear or acne free. I used them for 10 years then stopped to have my daughter and started them again when I had finished breast feeding. I have been on them again for the past 4 years but have now had to be taken off them due to severe migraine.
May 6, 2009
Pros:
completely got rid of my large cyst acne! mostly improved my surface acne!
Cons:
as a couple people mentioned, it does make me tired. i have very oily skin, so i still have very mild surface acne but is controllable as long as i use my proactive wash.
nothing worked before this. changed my life! if you just have very mild surface acne, it might not help as much as it will help someone with more moderate to severe acne.
April 25, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Clears skin up really well apart from one or two tiny zits a week before my period and I used to get really bad acne. Short period.
Cons:
I have noticed that Ive become very tired but that may be due to other lifestyle factors. Ive also had spotting but only in the first few months. My mood has remained consistently happy apart from three days or so before period when im very teary.
Quite good. Experiencing headaches day or two before period. Some weight gain which is a big turn off for me. Skin has been perfectly clear but I keep to a good routine. Diet really affects skin regardless of what your Dr will tell you. I find that a topical antibiotic (Clindatech) along with the pill and proactiv cleanser (cleanse prior with the blue Garnier face wash to remove make up) means I never worry about my skin. I also use Clearasil ultra just on areas that get a little oily. The key is to eat well and drink lots of water. Ive been on the pill for years and although this one is quite good Im sick of the extra weight (175cm and 68kg) and am thinking of going off it altogether.....wish all of you luck!
April 20, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
It's the only thing that has ever worked for my skin.
Cons:
Haven't come across any bad side effects yet, but anyone who takes this medicine should be aware of them.
I'm 40 and have had acne since I was in junior high -- not horrible but periodic cysts and nodules, a few each month. I've tried everything under the sun except Accutane. While I have taken them in the past (Ortho TriCyclen) I have avoided birth control pills due to the lack of sex drive. However, I went on Yaz to prepare for Accutane. It worked so good the first month that I didn't feel the need to even start Accutane. My skin has always been extremely oily but it is less so now (it is still oily but really more dewy than anything). My skin looks so healthy and my back also doesn't break out as much. I only rated this 4 because I haven't seen it work long term yet on me. I would like to see more people rate this product who have used it for longer than me to see how their success rates.
April 16, 2009
Pros:
Helped acne a little.
Cons:
SEVERE mood swings (irritable, angry at everything, sensitive,
depressed), cystic acne on jawline and chin, light acne on neck, weight gain (5-10lbs), BLOATED, FATIGUED, cravings, sore boobs, contact irritation, this pill makes you a psycho beotch
So, basically I don't recommend this pill to anyone! It didn't help much with my acne, its cleared up a little bit, but it it's also made me break out in cystic acne on my jawline and chin, and its leaving brownish scars! I'm SO upset! I've been on this almost 3 months now, and I HATE the way it makes me feel! I have horrible mood swings, one minute I'm my happy self and the next I become so enraged I want to kill someone! I say awful things to people, and don't even realize what I am saying! Another HUGE issue is I gained a lot of weight! My highest weight was 125, and I am usually 114 (at 5'4), so I gained 9 lbs!! AND its gotten SO bad for me, that I've actually started to count my calories, measure my food, and increase my cardio and strength training. I run for like an 1 hr to 1.5 hrs and my weight wont even budge! Ive luckily been able to lose 5 lbs but thats maintained for months now. Another major side effect; I feel very tired, lifeless and like I have no energy. It SUCKS!
April 15, 2009
Pros:
Cleared up body acne
Cons:
Mood swigns, horrible break outs on both cheeks.
I have suffered from some acne since I was a teen. I am 24, going on 25 and still get the same acne on my back and chest but not too bad on my face. I was on YAZ for a few and it was the best thing ever...I did not get a single pimple anywhere. I got off it because I don't like to take pills and I felt sick in the mornings (nausea). After getting off I began breaking out so I decided after 5 months to go back on YAZ...I began getting horrible leg pains and breakouts even after three months of use so I stopped.A month later my OBG gave me ortho lo..I just began my third month and I am breaking out like crazy...Please someone tell me this will stop soon. Any recomendations...I'd highly appreciate it.
Pros:
Cleared Skin, No pregnancy