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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September 9, 2010

Pros:

No pregnancy
No weight gain

Cons:

Bad breakout so far...on my 3rd week! :(
Slightly moody in 3rd week but not that bad

So far no weight gain whatsoever! I personally don't think the pill makes you gain visible weight, people just like to blame the pill for their laziness. I was terrified to start the pill because I thought I'd gain weight or go insane because that's what the reviews say, but that's so far from the truth...I think there's a bigger issue than the pill if you want to kill everyone in site. So far I've been on almost a month and would so far recommend to anyone. Can't wait for face to clear up though..
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July 26, 2010

Pros:

+Not Pregnant
+Light Bleeding
+No Cramps
+No acne(But i have never had bad acne)

Cons:

+Feel sick to my stomach often
+Mood swings
+Bad breast tenderness

I am kind of stuck on whether i like this birth control or not. I like the no cramps, and light bleeding, but this pill makes me some what sick. I feel sick to my stomach almost everyday, but it could easily be from something different. I am a moody person off the pill anyways, but on it i am a royal pain! Every little thing gets to me, and i get offended easily. The littlest things can make me cry, even if its not sad. Also my breasts are very sore, i cannot tell yet if they are growing or if they are just tender. I will have to wait it out, and see if any of this changes over time. Over all i would recommend it, if you can deal with the mood swings.
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January 29, 2010

Pros:

I think it cleared up my acne (can't be sure since I do other things to treat it) but it definitely did help if not eliminated my acne. Also it was free at Planned Parenthood.

Cons:

Broke me out really bad at first.

My skin has gone from moderately severe to light. I believe it's because of birth control. My acne is almost completely gone. Give it time and don't get discouraged if it breaks you out at first because in the end it did wonders for me.
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August 10, 2015
4 months into BC No More hormonal Cystic Acne Skin is GREAT

If you have been on antibiotics and are still breaking out it may be hormonal. My problem areas have been my chin and truly genetic since my mom suffered from acne as well. I have tiny ice pick scars very little on my cheeks from breakouts and red scarring on my forehead and chin from old breakouts. Since high school I had tried diffirin, multiple antibiotics, topical antibiotics, facial peels for the scarring and I'm on my fourth month of this BC and my cystic acne has disappeared!!! I never wanted to take BC but so far this has been the best decision for me at 24 years old I am currently taking BC and using retinA . RetinA is the best solution for black heads by the way if you use it consistently in a couple of months they come out by themselves, my skin is not crazily severe when broken out but it's bad and cystic acne is painful and other zits on top of that especially by your mouth is aesthetically unpleasant. I also decided to start the BC because I started breaking out on my cheeks which had been resulting in the zit leaving a hole aka a dark semi deep scar :( . I'm happy with my skin try it! Check out my [Removed] I am starting a makeup and healthy skin lifestyle channel, let me know if you have any more questions! [Removed]

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July 7, 2012

Pros:

Breast Cup size increased
Very little to no Acne
Did not lower libido
Protects against pregnancy

Cons:

Very tender/sensitive breasts
Slight weight gain (no more than three lbs)

Based on some of the negative reviews, I was very skeptic of Ortho Tri-Cyclen at first. Just because you read a few bad reviews that doesn't necessarily mean those pros and cons will apply to you. Everyone's body is different, and if you decide to go on this pill then wait at least four months until you make the decision to change it. I've been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for about four months now (going on five), and at first I wanted to call it quits because of how terrible my acne got! Then little by little it began to disappear. Now the only time I break out (which is barely) is around the time I menstruate. Your breast cup does increase by half a cup to a cup size gradually, however, I noticed that my breasts became very tender. Hopefully that will go away within a few more months? Not entirely sure, but if so I'd still stick with it. It helps protect you against pregnancy in the long run, so why not? In fact, it feels as if my libido has increased, Haha. You gain very little to no weight, really. It goes away with diet and exercise, and that's all to it. I got Ortho Tri-Cyclen at Planned Parenthood for free through my health insurance.
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December 19, 2011

Pros:

*birth control
*less acne
*no side affects really
*not worried about becoming pregnant

Cons:

*remembering to take it everyday at the same time

I've been taking these birth control pills for a week, and I noticed my facial breakouts to be at a minimum because i usually wake up with 1 or 2 pimples on my face every other morning which are noticeable and it sucks. These breakouts stopped pretty quickly throughout this whole week of taking the pill i have only one pimple on my face when i usually have 4 or 5 at a time. My acne is not terrible but i do not like it and i have felt very less pretty and confident because of it and i have even been on antibiotics which helped but are not good for your body and make your skin sensitive to light. Now that my face is starting to clear up i feel better and a little more happy and satisfied. I'm 15 and my face usually gets really oily or greasing and I noticed my face isnt as oily or greasy lately. I also do not have to worry about getting pregnant because you are protected after 7 days. I payed about $27 for ortho tri cyclen and i guess thats an okay price. So far i havent noticed any side affects i have no spotting or bleeding or nausea and im very surprised. Ive heard alot of bad reviews but I think if your suffering from any acne i think this is worth a shot but everyone's body is different. Ill put in another review in a month of so
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November 19, 2010

Pros:

prevents pregnancy
less bleeding during menstruation
less cramping

Cons:

worst breakout of my life

I had relatively clear skin for most of my life, but occasionally would still get a pimple or two, mostly near my period. For some stupid reason I was not satisfied and asked the clinician to prescribe me a pill that would help me with acne. She prescribed Ortho Tri-Cyclen and I used it for 2 months and now have the WORST ACNE of my life. Since I have never had an acne problem before, I have no idea how to handle this. The cystic acne I now have is physically and emotionally painful. When I go out and see someone I know, I will actually go out of my way to avoid them seeing me. I have to see old friends and family for the holidays and have no idea what I am going to do.
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September 21, 2010

Pros:

Kept my skin relatively clear.

Cons:

Lots of side effects.

Be careful when taking birth control! If you are only using it to clear acne, I would strongly recommend a different route. I was only 27 when I was diagnosed as suffering from a CVST (cerebral venous sinus thrombosis) stroke, brought on by the hormones in my birth control. Venous MRIs found 5 blood clots in my head. I followed the instructions, did not smoke, and took a pill the same time everyday. I knew that stroke was a possibility, but since I didn't smoke and lived a healthy lifestyle I was told not to worry overmuch. Should not have listened to that! Now I'm on blood thinners for the foreseeable future, another poison in my body but better than the alternative.
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September 14, 2010

Pros:

Shorter periods
Predictable periods
No nausea
Very small pills
Not pregnant lol

Cons:

Moderate sore breasts
Slight headaches

It's a great form of birth control. It's available st planned parenthood. Most bcps make me nauseous and moody but this one doesn't. I love it!
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July 12, 2010

Pros:

Fuller breasts, predictable periods, lighter periods, less painful cramps. birth control

Cons:

Weight gain, loss of sex drive.

I've been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for a few months now. I'm definitely not as big as a fan of it as I was with Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. Overall, I've gained about 10 pounds in my lower abdomen, hips, love handles and butt. I can certainly feel the increased tightness in my jeans. I used to have a strong sex drive with on Tri-Cyclen Lo, now I find myself shoving my boyfriend away from me at times. Before the pill, my period was highly irregular, it was common for me to have a 16-22 day cycle. My periods now are always 28 days. My cramps before the pill were intense, the doctors had me on 1000 mg of Naproxen every 4hrs for the pain. Now, I don't even need a Midol. It's got its advantages and disadvantages. It all comes down to if the individual is willing to lose some of a sex drive and put on a few pounds that are pretty difficult to come off.
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