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
January 29, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Cons:
gained weight, went from a size 5 to a size 11! in jeans!, depression, mood swings,
dont take it if it gives you a hard time
January 15, 2008
Pros:
No pregnancy.
Cons:
Made it through middle school and high school with maybe 3 zits. Now that I've been on Tri Cyclen for 6 months, I'm breaking out like crazy and I'm 22. Also, inability to lose weight when I used to drop so quickly.
In search of another birth control method. Either another pill or an IUD. It seems to clear up skin in other cases so I'd say to start it but switch later on if you're experiencing the same thing I am. ** I get mine from planned parenthood and it only costs $15.00/month.
January 15, 2008
Pros:
NONE
Cons:
IT MADE ME BREAK OUT SO BAD AROUND THE 3RD MOUNTH. WORKED WELL AT FIRST BUT THEN GAVE ME REALLY BAD CYSTIC ACNE ON MY CHECKS. THEY LEFT REALLY BAD RED SCARS.
I WOULDNT RECCOMENT THIS PRODUCT. I SWITCHED TO ORTHO TRICYCTLEN FROM MY OTHER BIRTH CONTROL ORTHO NOVUMM. THAT A A HUGE MISTAKE. I HAD NEVER REALLY HAD THAT BAD OF ACNE OR SCARS. BUT AFTER TAKING THIS I BROKE OUT SO BAD, LIKE NEVER BEFORE. AFTER GETTING OFF THIS BIRTH CONTROL MY SKIN CLEARED UP AGAIN. BUT IT TOOK AROUND 2 MONTHS. NOW I AM LEFT WITH HORRIBLE ACNE SCARS.
January 15, 2008
Pros:
not pregnatnt, clear skin, shorter periods, hardly no pms symptoms
Cons:
none until i was switched to otc lo, then i had to go off it cuz i started clotting.
i loved the regular otc. i was on it for years. i wouldnt have changed except the local planned parent hood stopped using it, they switched me to the otc lo, and it was great until i started clotting after only a couple of months.
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.
December 31, 2007
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Nothing major has happened to me so far
Cons:
Take it like your suppose to, if you dont it wont work right.
I have heard a bunch of things on YAZ, good and bad. I just started it and began reading everyones opinion and it got me worried. I think if you take it at the same time and do everything you are suppose to you will be fine. I'm just going to have to wait a few weeks to see how it really does affect me.
December 29, 2007
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Cleared my acne at least 50% the first month, but it came back as I began month 2; same thing with bloating; helped moodiness/irritability within 1 week; has normalized my appetite and (so far) has put an end to my constant hunger and food cravings
Cons:
Breakthrough bleeding began after 3 weeks and hasn't stopped since. Have had pretty bad cramps during this time, which I rarely had before.
Overall I am pleased with Yaz so far and will continue to try it for up to 6 months to see what results I have for acne. I am concerned with the bleeding, but will stick it out and see if it stops. I also have severe mood swings and irritability, but stay away from antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds because of side effects I have had with them in the past. Yaz has reduced both so significantly that I would consider taking it for that reason alone.
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!?
December 9, 2007
Pros:
Prevents pregnancy, cleared up my acne.
Cons:
None really. Some nausea and dizziness. Slight mood swings when i first started.
I was previously taking a birth control pill called Solia (horrible) which made me break out really bad and caused intense mood swings and a lot of unwanted crying. Once i switched to ortho tricyclen i noticed clearer skin within the first 2-3 week, less of an unstable mood, and no cramps either. Before starting any type of pill, i had very severe cramps, and brith control pills took care of that right away. OTC did cause nausea and dizziness the first month but has gone away since. My sex drive has not been affected at all, i have not gained any weight,my breasts are the same size, and the bloating i do experience is like any normal bloating prior to your period, I dont have any spotting and my period comes at exactly the same time every month. I would definitly recommend this pill.
December 8, 2007
Pros:
NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!! Did absolutly NOTHING for my acne.
Cons:
Didnt clear up my skin at ALL! I have been on it for about 8 months and did absolutly nothing. I am broken out so bad near my chin and around my mouth. It didnt made my acne worse it just... didnt do anything at all. WASte of MONEY. Waste of TIME.
Doesnt WORK!!!!!!!!
Pros:
didnt get pregnant