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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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5
22.7%
4
34.3%
3
21.2%
2
13.1%
1
8.8%

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March 30, 2010

Pros:

1.) STOPPED my breakouts completely!
2.) Increased breast size, about a full cup.
3.) Smoother skin
4.) Overall, better mood
5.) Kept me from getting pregnant
6.) Period was regular

Cons:

1.) Weight Gain
2.) Even though I was in a better mood overal, occassionally, I had some suicidal thoughts and thoughts of harming others
3.) Headaches that I never had before
4.) Sore breasts

The regimen on this site is what I have been using and it is working fine. As of today, I have been on for 6mos. But, I decided to add this birthcontrol in after 2mo on the regimen. When I started ortho tri-cyclen on December 13, 2009, I was 137 lbs. As of today, March 29, 2010, I am 144lbs. That's a 7lbs difference in 3 1/2 mos. I LOVE THE PILL! It literally stopped my breakouts overnight and it felt awesome not to worry about it. This pill is awesome if you can manage to eat right and exercise and reduce your salt intake. I just finished my third pack and will not continue taking it simply because I want to shed the extra pounds before summer. I have included AHA Alpha Hydrox-- glycolic acid into my regimen in hopes that this will keep my breakouts at bay! Feel free to look at my profile on this site and see the images for yourself. The BC was the boost my skin care regimen needed!
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January 29, 2010

Pros:

bigger boobs, no kids, no weight gain

Cons:

not helping with acne, which is mainly why I choose this birth control

I posted about a month ago, giving this a 5 rating, because the first month my acne was really subsiding. But a little after I posted my review my acne started to creep up on me again. I fringin jinxed myself! anyway, I'm still on the pill because beside the face not clearing, it serves its purpose. But I've decided to use Dan's regime on acne.org to fix my acne. Maybe the pill would have worked if I waited til the third month was completely over, but I just couldn't wait it out. Hope this review helps.
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December 6, 2009

Pros:

can enjoy sex without a condom with my bf. the best thing im not pregnant.

Cons:

thow up couple time n really moodyy sometimes

its worth it goin threw all the wick stomach and dizziness cause u dont get pregnantt and thats the best thing and thats what everybody looks for on a birthcontrol pill.
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December 5, 2009

Pros:

Not pregnant

Cons:

Irritable, sleepy, breast tenderness, breakouts along jawline and chin - hoping this will clear up as i've only been on Ortho Tri Cyclen for a month

I recently switched from Yasmine to Ortho Tri Cyclen. My Gyno told me that Ortho is the only birth control pill that is FDA approved to clear up acne. Yasmine was good but it made me break out like CRAZY! Im hoping that with time Ortho will help my skin. They say it takes up to 3 months for your body to get used to the pill. Fingers crossed...
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November 20, 2009

Pros:

it works very well in regulating periods and clearing up acne no side effects

Cons:

makes breasts a little sore but it also makes them bigger too soo thats not really a con

this is my favorite birth control i have ever bin on because it has no side affects and works very well in regulating periods if they are irregular.
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November 16, 2009

Pros:

Effective contraception

Cons:

More acne, Nauseous, Cramps, Longer period

Doesn't make you pregnant
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November 11, 2009

Pros:

Increased breast size, helped clear acne, milder cramps

Cons:

Hair loss the first month I was on it, mood swings

I would recommend it but make sure it is not the generic version of ortho tri-cyclen, that stuff was horrible!
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10 user(s) found this helpful

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November 9, 2009

Pros:

Cleared acne, and free through planned parenthood or just $5/month through Cal State University system.

Cons:

very low libido

low dose hormonal contraception is known to lower testosterone levels, and that's how they get rid of acne. Nothing ever got rid of my acne. After a few months of being on the pill my acne lessened and healed. Unfortunately, testosterone is also responsible for libido. Although it rid me of acne, it also rid me of my sex life. So I went off the pill, and sure enough a few months later I was broken out again. Since I figure my acne is purely hormonal, I'm trying special diets in an effort to prevent the acne from within.
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November 8, 2009

Pros:

regulate periods, possibly clearing of face, comfort having unprotected sex with my bf

Cons:

tender breast, possible breast increase (they were already huge), possible bloat

I was just introduced Natural Family Planning and i beleive that its a wonderful thing. No side affects at all. Its a great recommendation :)
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November 5, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up my acne significantly. Also regulated and diminished the effects of my period.

Cons:

Mild to moderate nausea during first week of each pack.

I have had acne for nearly 10 years and this is the ONLY thing that has made people actually notice a decrease in my acne. I've actually had friends say things like, "Wow, you're skin has really cleared up!" after 3 weeks on this pill without changing anything else about my skin care routine (except that I also cut back on smoking, which helped a lot as well!) I still get a few zits when I'm actually on my period, but for the whole week before and during my period I used to get acne so bad all over my face that it was actually painful. This made such a difference! But, it won't work for everyone.. some people's acne is not caused by hormones, so birth control will have no effect. If you tend to get more breakouts around your period, I definitely recommend trying this.
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