Birth Control and Acne

The link between birth control and acne is surprisingly simple. Birth control pills prevent pregnancy by changing the level of certain hormones in your body. One of these hormones is androgen, which stimulates oil production and increases acne. If you’re taking birth control pills that lower your androgen levels, you should see a reduction in the number of breakouts you experience.

Generally, it takes between six and eight weeks to see results when using birth control to treat your acne. While most topical medications work to treat existing inflammation, the pill will prevent new outbreaks from happening.

According to researchers who have studied the link between birth control and acne, using birth control pills to treat your blemishes should produce results similar to that of treatment with benzyl peroxide and topical or systemic antibiotics.

Unfortunately, not every type of birth control pill will help you control your acne. While all birth control pills will work to prevent pregnancy, each pill has slightly different hormone levels.

The FDA has approved Ortho Tri-Cyclen and generic norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol for acne treatment. The FDA believes these low-dosage birth control pills are an effective treatment for mild to moderate acne. In clinical studies, nearly 90 percent of women taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen noticed an improvement in their skin.

Other birth control pills that are thought to improve acne in most women include Desogen, Demulen, Brevicon, Nelova 1/35, Ovcon 35, and Ortho Novum 7/7/7. However, there is some evidence to suggest these pills are more effective in younger women who have fluctuating hormone levels that are the primary cause of their acne.

Older brands of birth control pills that contain estrogen and progestin hormones with higher androgen levels may in fact make your acne worse. This includes birth control pills such as Loestrin1.5/30, Loestrin1/20 Fe, Estrostep Fe, Levlen, Alesse, Ovral, and Norlestrin1/50.

If you have questions about which birth control pill is best for you, contact your healthcare provider for additional information.

You must be aware of any potential side effects when you considering using birth control pills to treat your acne. For example:

• Some researchers who study birth control and acne report certain women may experience a weight gain of up to 12 pounds.
• If you smoke, using the birth control pill may increase your risk of developing cancer.
• Certain women may experience dangerous blood clots.
• Some pill users report adnominal pain, fatigue, headaches, breast tenderness, mood swings, and irregular periods.

Of course, it’s also important to remember that the birth control pill will not prevent sexually transmitted diseases. If you are not in a monogamous relationship, a condom is recommended.

If you’d like to learn more about controlling your acne, check out the following articles at LoveToKnow Skin Care:

• Acne Skin Care
• Acne Skin Care Products
• Home Remedies for Acne
• Natural Skin Care for Acne
• Acne Scar Treatment

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• Pregnant Belly Art Gallery
• Punk Rock Maternity Clothes
• Gender Selection and Conception
• Conception Myths

• How Soon Can I Take a Pregnancy Test
• Natural Ways to Induce Labor
• How to Conceive a Boy
• How to Conceive a Girl
• Early Pregnancy Symptoms

• Birth Control Patch Side Effects
• Birth Control IUD
• Birth Control Condom
• Birth Control and Heavy Periods
• Birth Control Pill Side Effects