Hey everyone,

In early 2004, I made my first visit to the doctor's office over skin issues. I remember being horribly mortified at the time. My doctor recommended Ortho-Tricyclen Lo to help keep my hormones in check. I believe that I declined at the time and tried Benzamycin with Differin cream instead. The combination was far too strong for my face, so I stopped using both after only a short time period. I then started using Ortho Tricyclen Lo (summer 2004).

I can't really tell if it's had much of an effect on my acne. I didn't monitor it as well as I could have, and now it's habit to take the pills. It's possible that it's become better, but it's equally possibly that it's become worse. Either way the change isn't extreme.

My new doctor almost switched me to Desogen a few weeks ago. I decided not to go that route. Looking into Desogen online made me look into Ortho-Tricyclen Lo, too. I read that there aren't any studies that show the Lo version can help acne. It's the regular Ortho-Tricyclen that's supposed to help. In fact, I read some comments from poor women who claimed their acne worsened with Ortho-Tricyclen Lo. However, the regular Ortho-Tricyclen seems to be more disruptive in terms of mood swings, weight gain, etc. for many females.

Since I can't note any major positive change with the pill, I am wondering if my skin might be better off without it now that I'm taking better care of myself. However, I'm also afraid of what my body will go through if I go off the pill.

Have any of you ladies noticed a difference in your skin upon using the pill? Anything to note about the types I mentioned? Have you had problems getting off the pill?

Hey everyone,

In early 2004, I made my first visit to the doctor's office over skin issues. I remember being horribly mortified at the time. My doctor recommended Ortho-Tricyclen Lo to help keep my hormones in check. I believe that I declined at the time and tried Benzamycin with Differin cream instead. The combination was far too strong for my face, so I stopped using both after only a short time period. I then started using Ortho Tricyclen Lo (summer 2004).

I can't really tell if it's had much of an effect on my acne. I didn't monitor it as well as I could have, and now it's habit to take the pills. It's possible that it's become better, but it's equally possibly that it's become worse. Either way the change isn't extreme.

My new doctor almost switched me to Desogen a few weeks ago. I decided not to go that route. Looking into Desogen online made me look into Ortho-Tricyclen Lo, too. I read that there aren't any studies that show the Lo version can help acne. It's the regular Ortho-Tricyclen that's supposed to help. In fact, I read some comments from poor women who claimed their acne worsened with Ortho-Tricyclen Lo. However, the regular Ortho-Tricyclen seems to be more disruptive in terms of mood swings, weight gain, etc. for many females.

Since I can't note any major positive change with the pill, I am wondering if my skin might be better off without it now that I'm taking better care of myself. However, I'm also afraid of what my body will go through if I go off the pill.

Have any of you ladies noticed a difference in your skin upon using the pill? Anything to note about the types I mentioned? Have you had problems getting off the pill?

I believe it was orth-tricyclen I first went on years ago...and it made me crazy. I was with my old college roommates this past weekend and I brought it up, and they said that specifically, I had "anger issues"!!! They went away after a few months, I just remember being very agitated and depressed for a while. Of course, I was too stupid (good thing I was on the pill, right??) to go to my doc and ask for something different! I do not remember a significant change in my skin at the time, but then I was in college and not really living the healthiest of lifestyles, either.

Birth control pills made me crazy! For some people it works for some people without the emotionaly and physical side-effects. I went on a couple of birth control pills including one that sounded like Jasmine ? My skin cleared up really good but i'd gained about 10kgs(20lbs-ish?) and was extremely paranoid and depressed... same thing when i went on Roaccutane. I'm never ever ever ever going back there.. it's too much.

I've been on the Depo-provera shot for almost 7 years, and discovered that it may cause bone loss when taken long term (that and I've gained quite a bit of weight).....
SO- I've just started on the generic for Ortho Tri-Cyclen. If I see any changes in my skin specifically I'll let you know. I figure if I didn't go bats on the shot, I should be okay on the pill, but that's me. Everyone's different! ;D

I sure will miss the no periods thing, though.

m3phist023--
Have you considered an IUD? I had one for the last 2 1/2 years and it was great. The one I had was called Mirena, and you can keep it in up to 5 years. It also really cuts down on your periods and has very little hormone in it.

Just thought you might want a different option...however, while it is FANTASTIC birth control, it didn't do anything for my skin.