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
April 14, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Cons:
Where do i begin? I was actually diagnosed with panic disorder and severe depression after taking this pill. I also have blood pressure problems. Weird they all started after i took this pill.
I was on it a year and a half. First 6 months were fine then i turned almost suicidal. I had around 6 panic attacks a day and did not know what was wrong with me. Found out YAZ does this to a lot of woman. I know this pill reacts different with everyone, but if you start becoming depressed or have unusual anxiety, you really need to look at this pill. Doctors really should let patients know about possible side effects like this. I am now off and symptom free but also trying to get off my anti depressants :(
April 1, 2009
Pros:
Was on Ortho Tri Lo: Less Cramps & Shorter Periods-Whats better that, or CYSTIC ACNE?
Cons:
Cystic Acne almost immediatlely.
Had numerous visits to the Dermatologist. Horrible cysts that wont heal and left scars. Switched back to Yaz after 3 months on it. Ready to get off of that as well, although my face cleared up immediately after switching back.
March 30, 2009
Pros:
cleared up my skin after 4 months of use, cheap, less cramps
Cons:
gained 5 pounds
i take ortho tri-cyclen lo and it took me 4 months to see results, so have patience! i had bad acne especially around my chin and now i am clear :)
March 29, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
sure it might clear up your skin while you're on it
Cons:
once you get off it your skin will be worse!!!
People, birth control is NOT a good solution to acne in my opinion. Once you go off it it messes up your hormones so bad that your skin will be WORSE than when you started! I had flawless skin before and after I was on the pill, I stopped it 2 months ago and am experiencing acne like i've never had in my entire life. Its all around my chin and mouth and must be caused from the birth control. Look at the other categories in this forum and you'll read plenty of stories like mine
March 21, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
no pregnancy ..
Cons:
horrible breakouts on chin and forehead..places i don usually break out within first week ..plus i would cry at the drop of a hat
my skin was the worst its ever been and in places i usually dont break out ..on my chin esp..and i tried to keep with it thinking it might get worse before better but after 2 and a half months i gave up and as soon as i stopped my skin started clearing up... plus i would cry at nearly everything and was always sad i pretty much lost my bf over it as well because i was such an emotional wreck ..but everyone does react differently just hope these side effects dont happen to u :]
March 15, 2009
Pros:
Very Clear Skin, Regulated Hormones (Emotions?), Regular and Very Short and Light Periods, No Pregnancy...
Cons:
At first was hard to adjust... I'd get particularly moody, but I believe that was just a matter of adjustment.
I recommend it!
I had pretty bad acne, now it is all gone1
March 13, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
clears skin for the most part, minimal side effects (compared to other B.Cs), haven't gotten pregnant, regulates periods, comes in a pretty purple pack :)
Cons:
BAD cramps and headaches, doesn't seem to help too much with PMS symptoms, having to take a pill every day sucks, and continually skipping the white pills to not have a period - you will still bleed and get it anyways!
I've been on this pill since I was 15 and have been wanting to switch because it doesn't help me much with PMS symptoms, i still get pretty bad cramps and reallyyy bad menstrual headaches. but after reviewing different kinds of birth control online for the past 2 hours, I think this is the best stuff out there. I tried Microgestin FE for a week and it turned me PSYCHOTIC - uncontrollable crying, bitching out friends/boyfriend/family members, extreme depression - but after reading reviews basically any pill can do that to you. fortunately, this is the one that turns me the LEAST psychotic, so i'll stick with it for awhile until i maybe try Yaz instead! :)
February 15, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
My boobs are bigger, skin is clearing up, and no babies!
Cons:
I'm hungry ALL of the time, it's hungry like I'll eat then have to eat in an hour or two. (But I'm seemingly only gaining wieght in my breast and bottom.)
It's good, the hunger pains are horrible, and moodiness is not fun at all. I cry now, I never cried before. Over all it's good to clear skin, and regulate periods but the hunger can be annoying. Good luck!
February 13, 2009
Pros:
prevents pregnancy, clears acne, boobs grow, periods are predictable, and no cramps and mood swings when PMSing and on period
Cons:
causes some weight gain
the only real downfall is a little weight gain (like 3-5 pounds) and this can be prevented if you actually pay attention to what you eat. it made me overall happier with all the pros. i have taken another kind of birth control pill, but i like ortho tri-cyclen better.
February 10, 2009
Pros:
glowing smooth skin all over until my period, controlled hunger, prevents pregnancy, larger breasts, my hair was shinier and grew faster, eyelashes became thicker and longer, happier mentally, a feeling of mental balance. No nausea.
Cons:
breakouts during period, low sex drive during adjustment months, feelings of depression during adjustment months, up and down emotionally when forgetting to take the pill a few days in a row, breakthru bleeding during adjustment months.
Good pill. It's my first time on the pill overall and I really like it. I feel more womanly and happier with myself. My skin gets a little break out-ish when I stop taking the hormone pills and begin the placebo pills, but it has to be from the dramatic drop in hormones that messes around with my skin causing it to break out. Remember to take it on time or you'll get break through bleeding after missing it 2 days in a row. My period is sometimes delayed and I won't get my period into sometimes my 4th day on my placebo pills.
Pros:
cleared skin for awhile then stopped working.