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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January 11, 2008

Pros:

not pregnant. regular period. lost alittle weight

Cons:

went crazy with emtions. did not help my acne

i would not reccommend this pill.
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January 2, 2008

Pros:

no babies,lighter periods, no cramps

Cons:

didn't help acne AT ALL, moodiness, bloating, weight gain

I started taking OTC Lo to help my acne.... and it did NOT work.... the only thing it did is make my period lighter. I gained 15 lbs in my first couple months of using it and my breast did not change at all.
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January 2, 2008

Pros:

regular periods, bigger chestial region :)

Cons:

broke out like crazy then evened out a little but overall acne is worse off.

wouldn't recommend it unless it is necessary as a contraceptive-- not for acne. it is pricey as well so free clinics would also be the only way to go
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December 27, 2007

Pros:

not pregnant... regular period

Cons:

acne and nausea

uggg... i never really had bad acne, but after i started this i broke out really bad around my chin and lower face... it sucks.. i have also had nausea at random times.. i was on it once before, and i got the acne, but no nausesa... if this doesnt clear up (ive only been on it a lil over a month) im def goin to see about changing
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December 17, 2007

Pros:

Guards against pregnancy

Cons:

Horrible cystic breakouts, nausea, bloating, cravings, emotional mood swings and dry skin.

As I'm sitting here looking into the mirror, let me tell you follks, stay away from OTC if you're looking to clear up your face. My face wasn't bad before I started, but I just went on this as a form of contraception. Now I just want to be off of it! My skin is terribly dry, and has broken out all over my forehead and cheeks, and weirdly around my neck and chest area which have NEVER ever once broken out in my life. From a girl that never used to get pimples this is a horrible experience, they hurt, they're huge, and they leave scars. I am extremely moody and depressed, and I feel REALLY bloated. It's like I"m gaining weight except it doesn't show on the scale. I just feel like I'm 300 lbs. Not a fun experience. Get off this sh*t while you can.
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December 11, 2007

Pros:

not pregnant =]

Cons:

mood swings, no sex drive, started to break out when i didnt before, some nausea, bloating.

ugh dont take it. like, the bloating i can handle, but not the breaking out!! i never broke out before, what the hell!?
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November 29, 2007

Pros:

acne is a ton better

Cons:

headaches, mood swings, upset stomach, spotting all the time, bloated, tired, periods are way messed up, sex drive is down the toilet

works on acne, but isn't worth bleeding 3 out of 4 weeks and no sex drive- i can deal wit upset stomach- by eating something with it. but my sex drive is out the window. i feel moody- emotionally unstable, i get upset easily or snap more often. i feel like a stuffed turkey most everyday. no weight gain- but have been looking to snack while im bleeding.i'm so tired.....
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November 20, 2007

Pros:

um. not pregnant.

Cons:

horrible depression during the last week of the cycle and then during period. nausea, dizziness, appetite irregular. terrible. dont take it.

i will never take this or any birth control again. my body cant handle it. NO SEX DRIVE, HORRIBLE SADNESS. pushed away people closest to me.
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November 6, 2007

Pros:

Prevented Pregnancy

Cons:

Did not help acne
Had to stop because I was constantly crying the week of my period. Got depressed.

Would not reccommend
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September 14, 2007

Pros:

Didn't get pregnant, little or no cramping, and I knew when my period was coming!

Cons:

Break outs! Bloated, oily, mood swings, bad PMS, decrease sex drive

I would break out 2 weeks before I got my period all the way up until the week I got my period... so basically I have one week of being break-out free out of 4. My skin gets so oily on it. I never had acne before until I started using Seasonale, and then I switched back to Ortho Tricyclen-Lo, and acne just continued to get worse. And the bloating sucks!
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