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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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Used Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:

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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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July 3, 2012

Pros:

-cleared skin
-shorter lighter periods
-regulates period
-bigger boobs

Cons:

-weight gain
-lower sex drive
-bad symptoms when not taken daily

My doctor put me on this after I got an ovarian cyst because my periods were irregular. It immediately regulated my period & my skin got much better! Great for skin! On the down side, i was so hungry but I was determined not to gain weight so I watched what I ate & I tried to exercise everyday. Even that didn't help because weight was just STICKING to me. I ended up gaining about 15lbs. No matter what I did the weight wouldn't come off. The only good thing that came out of that is that I went from an A cup to a C cup! Whenever i skipped a few days on accident id have bad mood swings, increased appetite, & bad breakouts! After I went off it I had those same symptoms for a few months. It sucked! And I haven't had a period since I stopped taking it 5 months ago.
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July 1, 2012

Pros:

regulated period, easy to use packaging

Cons:

horrible breakouts

I originally went on Ortho Tri Cyclen to clear my moderate acne and turned it into moderately severe. It took a real toll on my self esteem. I took this pill for 2 months hoping to see improvement but it got so bad that I had to quite taking it. It's mainly the first 2 weeks of each package that did me in because of the higher amounts of estrogen in those weeks. I think my body is just really sensitive to excess amounts of estrogen. If you're like I am, I'd probably switch to Lo-estrin or ortho tri cyclen lo. I don't doubt it works it just didn't work for me.
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June 26, 2012

Pros:

+ Acne chilled out
+ Not much weight gained
+ Periods are lighter
+ Not very severe cramps (which is why I was put on it)

Cons:

- RETAIN A LOT of water if I screw up a pack (Missing a pill or taking one kind of late)
- The water weight makes me puffy :
- Missing a pill or taking one late = Constant breakout until a week before my next period

Well, I was put on this pill after being on LoSeasonique (TERRIBLE PILL that made me breakout all over my legs and face). I had horrible cramps so I was put on it. Then I was put on OTCL for cramps AND acne. It had the side effects in the first two months, but I knew it would take some time. Soon, my acne chilled out and my cramps were very little. My "flow" was very light as well and it is really nice knowing when your period is coming. Mine usually last for like 4 or 5ish days. A downside I learned the hard was whenever I would take a pill late or miss one the next month (or pack) would cause me to breakout and retain water. My breakout would last until the week before the placebo pills and I would start retaining water.
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June 20, 2012

Pros:

+helps with acne
+weight stayed the same
+no cramps
+period is like clockwork every month

Cons:

-initial breakout for first few months
-mood swings first few months
-period is still 5 days

I am on month 7 and I am just now starting to see the results. Some bodies take longer than others to adjust. The initial breakout wasn't too bad but there were some months that were wore than others. My weight has remained the same. I read how some people try to work it off and can't, in my case I have lost weight while working out and eating right. My mood swings have subsided for the most part but they were never unbearable. I only experienced nausea the first month so that went away as well. I recommend it but give it 6-7 months before you switch. I was on LoEstrin 21 for 4 months and it was consistently bad then OTC just came in and had to clean the mess so that may have attributed to it taking so long to show results. Give it a try for sure if you think/know you have hormonal acne.
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June 15, 2012

Pros:

- Cleared most acne
- Shorter, lighter periods
- $7 for a 3 month supply!

Cons:

- Gained about ten pounds and my boobs grew a cup size
- First three months were bad

I completely recommend Ortho Tri-Cyclen to clear your acne. Just a warning, the first three months were VERY difficult. I initially tried to take my pill right before bed to avoid the hunger I heard about, but it didn't prevent the hunger - it just woke me up in the middle of the night with a horrible feeling like extreme hunger. So, I started taking it at noon right before lunch and that fixed everything. I also felt my mood get very weird, like indescribable. I almost stopped, but when a girl I knew said it took her three months to get used to it, I decided to stick it out. It's not like it's impossible, so don't think your mood is going to get so bad you can't stay on it. After about those three months, my mood was back to normal and my skin is SO much clearer. I can now take the pill right before bed and have no bad side effects - or any at all. I also gained about 10 pounds, but I think it is preventable. I am 5'7" and before I started I was about 118 lbs - after being on it about 5 months I was about 128. However, I also had just started college and my diet was poor, and I also wasn't on the strict workout regimen I was before going on the pill. Altogether, I think I can lose the weight by getting back on my workout and diet regimen, it just won't be AS easy as without the pill. But it's not impossible! Lastly, my boobs grew from a 32D to a 32DD... which I'm not happy about. It's annoying to have to buy new bras, but it's worth it for the great skin effects. I'm sure they'll shrink when I'm back off it anyway. BOTTOM LINE: I completely recommend Ortho Tri-Cyclen, ESPECIALLY if you have tried other medicines that don't work. I've gone through one antibiotic pill that worked and then stopped after about a year, one that never worked, and then another that worked alright. Finally I asked my dermatologist for the pill, because I kind of knew mine was hormonal due to my breakout patterns. Now I only get a few little zits when
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June 4, 2012

Pros:

No acne
No initial break out (at least for me)
No spotting
Breasts feel fuller

Cons:

Increase in appetite

I LOVE THIS BIRTH CONTROL! I'm 21 years old and never had acne until about a year ago. It got so bad that I didn't want anyone to see me. I got big, red, cystic like acne all over my cheeks and jaw line. I tried so many different birth control pills, which actually isn't good for your body, and nothing worked. The first week after I started Ortho Try-Cyclen my face was so much clearer. I have noticed an increase in my appetite, so far that seems to be the only flaw to it. My insurance doesn't cover most name brand meds so I do have to pay $35.00 every month, but its so worth it. If you have severe acne like I HAD then I recommend you try it because its AWESOME! :)
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May 28, 2012

Pros:

No cramps

Cons:

More breakouts
Bloating
Increased appetite

My usual family docter prescribed Ortho Tri-cyclen to help control some of the symptoms that come along with having your period and to help with my moderate acne. Seeing as though I am a teenager, my breakouts are most likely being caused by hormonal imbalances. Although it has only been about a month since I was first prescribed this(gone through first pack), I would say my breakouts have actually gotten worse. I did rate this a 3 though because I have hope for the months to come. As for the symptoms during my period, cramps have been one less thing I have to worry about. Hopefully I'll be able to say the same for my acne in the near future.
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May 24, 2012

Pros:

cleared skin decently

Cons:

mood swings
weight gain
have to remember to take it everyday
depression
irritability

Not really worth it the hassle. I turned into a different person (mood wise) and was constantly irritable and angry.
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April 25, 2012

Pros:

* bigger breasts
* clearer skin
*predictable periods
* mild cramps

Cons:

Bad initial breakout first 2-3months

Weight gain/ increased appetite

This is my second time on this birth control. First time I took it was bc I had broken out soo bad from coming off the depo shot... not knowing that my body went haywire due to the shot.. so my doctor agreed to put me back on bc but this time in orthotricylen for skin benefits. I didn't experience an initial breakout bc my acne was already severe from coming off the shot.. so into my 5th month is when I started seeing results.. I stopped the medication the begining if month 6 of last year 2011 Soo... my skin stayed clear for 2 months so I was thinking maybe I won't breakout anymore... I was soo wrong I started getting nodules on my jawline and pustules so I finally decided to get back on ortho and experience a bad initial breakout covering entire jawline and chin area, then moved up to my cheeks, at this point I was regretting stopping in the first place I couldn't even see my current bf at the time bc it was that bad! But I stuck it through bc I knew I would eventually clear up! It just takes time and patience.. now I have some sits but not like it use to be.. so if you are willing to give this bc a try give it 3-5 months.. i am on month 6 and I'm finally starting to feel confident again!! :) GOOD LUCK GALS! :)
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The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
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  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
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