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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Chantae

November 3, 2008

Pros:

It made my periods shorter and lighter thats about it,

Cons:

weight gain, bad headaches, food cravings, mood swings, sore breasts, nausea, just over all yucky!!

this pill is not worth it, if u want shorter lighter periods and can handle all those side effects then i would say go for it. Other wise this pill is useless,

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Marie

October 26, 2008

Pros:

It's also a contraceptive; I don't remember any other pros...

Cons:

If you miss 1 pill you have to take 2 together thus giving you a larger dose of hormones. This defeats the purpose of a low dose to control acne!

I used Ortho Tricyclen Lo a few years ago. My hormones are a primary cause of my acne. I can predict my period based on how many inflammed spots I have. I had to stop using Ortho Lo because it actually made my face worse than it had EVER been. Occassionally I would miss a pill and then have to double up on a dose to make up for it (as the directions tell you to do). Well this double dose of hormones would cause me to break out horribly!! It was NOT worth it. I haven't used birth control pills ever since then...my boyfriend just wears a condom. I really want to try Nuvaring since I wouldn't have to worry about missed doses then!

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Kate

October 13, 2008

Pros:

After a 2 months it cleared up moderate acne on face and back acne. Regulates period. No cramps during menstrual cycle and very regular bleeding. Doubles as birth control (Although I recommend using some other form of contraception as well)

Cons:

Depression. Tendency to become overly emotional. Slight weight gain.

I wouldn't recommend this to girls with only a mild acne problem. I have never been a very emotional person, but when I started using this I became severely depressed (No exaggeration), especially around the last few days of the pill right before my period. So if you already have an existing depression problem, I strongly suggest that you NOT take this. But if you can manage to get through a few speed bumps, it was worth it for me. I've had acne here and there since I was 14, I'm 18 now and this really helped clear it up, especially the back acne. But it's not for everyone. See your doctor and do your homework before you start taking it!

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morgan

September 18, 2008

Pros:

acne cleared compared to the topical treatments

Cons:

late periods, moodswings,small break outs and occasional cystic,weight gain

I have tried almost everything when it comes to acne: herbal, topical, over the counter, as seen on tv and while the ortho lo has helped tremendously for my acne the side effects might not be worth it and I'm even considering switching over to yasmin. I have so much trouble losing weight its unbelievable and the moodswings bizzare and erratic.

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Cameron

August 29, 2008

Pros:

Have not had any nausea

Cons:

Mysterious acne appearance. Could be stress from something else though.

I have been on this for just over a month. I had ridiculous spotting the first month. 2 weeks of period sucks. I seem to have some pimple issues. Is it my body regulating? The great thing is that I have not had any nausea. It has been a long search for a pill that didn't cause me to have projectile puking which is very uncool when driving your child to school.

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Kristin

August 27, 2008

Pros:

Protection from being preggers, light periods

Cons:

Acne!!!!! Still sligh cramping

I was on Ortho-Tri Lo for about four years, then I went off of it because I was always forgetting to take it. I started to break out a little more than I was before I got off the pill, but nothing terrible. When I decided to get back on the pill after 8 months of no Ortho-Tri Lo I broke out terribly!! Really bad!! Im too worried to get on another BC becasue my derm and gyno say this could take awhile to settle down. Uggg...we women need birthcontrol but sometimes these side effects that come with getting off and on it suck!

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Rebecca

August 24, 2008

Pros:

Great at preventing pregnancy, skin is clearer, reduced severity of cramps.

Cons:

HORRIBLE mood swings, major depression, crying, breakthrough bleeding, bloating, some weight gain, headaches, nausea, fatigue

I quit taking it for a month and felt great- I thought I was losing my mind emotionally while I was taking this pill- so I will be seeking out alternative birth control options, I cant deal with the depression this medication causes. Note* I was taking the generic version "Tri-Sprintec", I was not taking the brand name or the "Lo" version of this birth control medication. This may be the right med for some women, but not for me.

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Jenna A

August 9, 2008

Pros:

not pregnant, few side effects

Cons:

now: continuous spotting (like light period), worsened acne (from mild to moderate)
first one/two weeks: moodiness, nausa, fatigue (not severe)

I started to take oc for two reasons acne and preventing myself from getting pregnant. im not pregnant, so that's a relief, but i was hoping my acne would get better, not worse. i haven't broken out this bad for about 2 years, at the least. however, i have been breaking out in the past few months anyway. so, it could just be a coincidence. also, the continuous spotting was scary at first, but i researched it/talked to my doc about it and its nothing to really worry about unless it doesnt stop after the 3rd pack of pills. i think i will switch to ortho tricyclen if this doesnt help my acne or maybe yaz... i'm on my second pack btw

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Rebecca

July 31, 2008

Pros:

It stops pregnancy if taken correctly.

Cons:

Makes you break out. I was on this birth control for a good 2 years. My skin was much clearer when i was not on it.

I think, depending on the person, bcp can actually make your acne WORSE instead of better. Maybe theres certain hormones in the bc that peoples bodies react differently to. After battling acne for 2 years i've gotten off bcp completely, (using other forms of protection) and in a week i already see the difference. I used to have occasional breakouts as a teen but when i look back, every time i would take bcp my complexion would got horrible. Get off the pill and use another method!!! at lease give it a try.

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Megan

July 31, 2008

Pros:

Not pregnant, semi-regulated periods.
No acene developed

Cons:

mood changes, aggressiveness, agitation, and length of periods

I switched to Ortho from LoEstrin because that did nothing to regulate my periods. The other thing that I am realizing is that I am WAY MORE EMOTIONAL, short tempered, and aggressive, and less sexual energy than when I switched or started on BCP. I have started to push my boyfriend away with my emotional changes and behavior. I also have longer periods than I did before I S started on BC. I think each person is going to be affected differently, so its important to know your baseline and ask others for their input.

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