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
June 29, 2010
Cons:
naseau, bloating, weight gain & breast tenderness (but only on pill for 1 1/2 weeks)
I have just been on this pill for a little over a week to deal with some irregular bleeding issues--while i have some side effects now i am going to ride it out for three cycles because they are supposed to disappear within that time frame. I took it when I was younger and never had a problem---I have seen alot of posts complaining of headaches and emotional issues, etc.. While I cannot say that they are not a direct result of the pill--you should know that these are symptoms of hypoglycemia too and the pill has been found to effect insulin resistance in some which can cause hypoglycemia--a condition that can be "corrected" with a change in diet, so ask your doctor before you give up on this pill is you have seen other benefits from it
March 12, 2010
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
The pimples have cleared up along my jawline, really helped clear up my back acne, smaller appetite sometimes
Cons:
As soon as I started on yasmin I got nearly the worst break out I've had since I first started getting acne.
I got lots of pimples on my cheeks and few on my forehead (where I both hardly usually get them), between my eye brows and chin!. I am 3 pills away from finishing my first month and I'm going to carry on with my prescription in hope that my skin will clear. Can someone please tell me if you usually have one big break out when starting and then it get betters?. I paid $76.00 for 3 months supply
February 15, 2010
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
I've been using Yaz for about 9 months now - and I think it's fantastic! If you have hormonal acne (found along your jawline) - I really think hormonal therapy is the only way to go. It has a low dose of hormones and I saw improvement within the first 3 months. (My acne used to be terrible - ALL over my face, basically every square centimeter had a bright red pimple. And now, I only get pimples on my forehead rarely (because I haven't slept or from stress).
Cons:
There certainly are risks for blot clotting etc...but as long as I am not over 35 and not smoking, I feel safe using Yaz.
If you have hormonal acne that's driving you crazy - then Yaz is definitely for you!
November 4, 2016
Give it time!
Even though I am only 20, I have struggled with acne many times. I tried multiple antibitics that worked temporarily, but then either gave me a severe allergic reaction (Minocycline) or stopped working (Bactrim). I even tried Accutane and it was only successful for a couple months following treatment. Anyways after the antibiotics stopped working I felt hopeless. All of a sudden I was plagued with large, painful, cystic acne that covered my chin and cheeks. As many of you know, acne does not really boost your self-esteem. I really struggled to even want to be seen. After doing some research I learned that cystic acne is often a result of hormonal imbalances. This led me to try birth control. In the first couple of months my acne seemed to get worse and I felt as if I was doomed to have bad skin. Seemingly everyday I came back to this site to read reviews about people who said to give the medication time and that after 3 months it really starts working. I sure am glad I stuck with it! My face is now clear. Sure I have a couple pop up now and then, but using topical Retin-A and sulfur ointment really does a good job of zapping them quickly. This medication is well worth the initial struggle. I should also add that in the beginning of taking the medication I did feel very strong mood swings, for me they went away after the initial hormone shock. I wish you the best and hope you find your cure!
August 11, 2014
NO acne, regular cycles and NO babies ;)
I am married with a 4 year old. I neeeeeed contraception. Haha I decided to go with Nexplanon ("Implanon" at the time) simply for the fact that I was scared I would miss pills (I am scatter brained and never in the same place every day). After getting my second one (not sure why, but the first implant did not break my skin out) implanted in late July 2013, my acne kept getting worse and worse. I have "normal" skin. I'm not dry or oily, but I was getting some MAJOR breakouts. In March I was fed up with it and paid the $300 to get it removed because I had not had a good skin day in a straight 3 months (my upper back being worse than my face) and I was getting super self conscious about my skin. It was just a nightmare and I didn't care about anything other than getting my skin cleared up! It is now August 2014 and my skin is PERFECT (it did take some time. Probably 3 cycles of the ortho for my skin to heal and I did experience breakouts during the transition) I don't take my clear skin for granted now, and it is even better than it was before I had my son. The estrogen makes your skin clear up, but I have also COMPLETELY stopped picking at my bumps. That is hard to do, but your skin really needs to heal. I also use Dr. Bronner's liquid soap after exfoliating back, chest and face once a day with a soft bristle brush I got at Wal-Mart (it's like a Clarisonic with a long handle to reach my back). The Ortho has cleared my cysts and the exfoliation and awesome soap has cleared whiteheads and blackheads! It's awesome and I am absolutely loving a predictable period. As for keeping on track with taking the pills, I always keep them in my purse (just in case I'm not home) and my alarm goes off at 9 every nignt. If I'm home, I just get the package out of my purse and take it. Also I'm only allowed to silence the alarm AFTER the pill has went down my throat haha. ;) hope this is helpful and gives some hope to someone!
November 29, 2010
Pros:
Cleared up acne
Cons:
Vomiting
Behavioral changes
Severe mood swings
I was put on ortho when I was about 15 because I had severe cystic acne and nothing else had worked. It made me vomit so horrendously at night, that I would pull muscles in my back. I had constant terrible mood swings and other behavioral changes. It wasn't until after about 2 years another doctor put me on Yasmin. All birth control pills I have tried have cleared up acne, and when I told my (now) gyno that I had tried ortho and that it was terrible, he cringed and said that it was such a nasty drug. I would recommend Yasmin most of all, but it's really expensive so I switched and am having good results with Mononessa right now. I highly recommend birth control for hormonal acne, but NOT Ortho!!
August 24, 2010
Pros:
(Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo)
Less oily hair and skin
Hair more manageable
Cleared mild acne on back
No crazy mood swings
Made periods light and short
Cons:
Did not clear up much of the acne on my face.
Might have made me a little more emotional but hard to tell if the pill or just being depressed over acne.
I took regular Ortho Tri-Cyclen from age 18-24 and it cleared my skin up completely but gave me wild mood swings. This time around I thought I'd try the lo version and although I don't get the crazy mood swings like the regular kind, the lo version has not helped significantly with clearing up my skin. I am about to complete my 3rd pack and switch back to the Nuvaring. I read a few reviews that said it helps but takes a long time. So far it isn't showing any signs of getting any better after 3 months. The benefits I did see (less oil, etc) were immediate).
I would recommend the lo version to those with mild acne. No sense in taking the regular version if you have mild acne but if you have more severe acne I think you need something stronger than the low dose.
January 20, 2010
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
didn't notice much difference in my skin
Cons:
caused anxiety
Anxiety problems were much better when i went off it. Don't think it made much difference in my face, although might of helped with body acne.
November 16, 2009
Pros:
Effective contraception
Cons:
More acne, Nauseous, Cramps, Longer period
Doesn't make you pregnant
March 9, 2011
Pros:
Acne cleared
No pregnancy
More regular periods
Cons:
Insane appetite increase, especially during the first week of each pack
Water retention
Weight gain
Mood swings
Little to no sex drive
Inability to climax
I've tried Ortho Tri-Cyclen several times, usually for the acne benefits. At this point in my life, I shouldn't have to worry with acne. The pregnancy prevention is nice, but not entirely necessary as I have had great success with a charting and basal method in that area. BUT, I am a runner and the increase in appetite and weight gain has been really annoying. I have irresistible cravings ALL DAY LONG. Things that I never eat (i.e. hamburgers, etc.) I literally crave so intensely that I have to satisfy the craving. Although my acne is gone, my weight has increased. I'd rather fight the acne in another way...
Pros:
has already helped to regulate bleeding