Doctors often prescribe birth control pills as a treatment for acne because they can help regulate hormone imbalances that can contribute to acne outbreaks in people who are biologically female.
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Doctors often prescribe birth control pills as a treatment for acne because they can help regulate hormone imbalances that can contribute to acne outbreaks in people who are biologically female. According to Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, a New York City-based dermatologist, “Birth control pills can be effective in treating acne because they decrease circulating androgen levels, which can cause acne.” Androgens, like testosterone, can overstimulate the oil glands in the skin, leading to acne breakouts.
Here are some interesting facts about birth control and acne treatment:
- Birth control pills containing estrogen and progestin are the most commonly prescribed form of birth control for acne treatment.
- Other hormonal treatments for acne include spironolactone, an anti-androgen medication, and isotretinoin, a medication derived from vitamin A.
- Combination birth control pills have been shown to be effective in reducing acne lesions in clinical studies.
- While birth control pills can be an effective treatment for acne, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s important to talk to a healthcare provider about the best course of treatment for your individual needs.
- In addition to regulating hormones, birth control pills also offer other health benefits, such as reducing the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers.
Here is a table comparing different types of combination birth control pills commonly used for acne treatment:
| Brand Name | Hormone Dosage | Acne-Fighting Ability |
|---|---|---|
| Ortho Tri-Cyclen | Ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate | Moderate |
| Yaz | Ethinyl estradiol/drospirenone | Strong |
| Estrostep Fe | Ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone acetate | Moderate |
| Mircette | Ethinyl estradiol/desogestrel | Mild |
As with any medication, there can be potential side effects of birth control pills. It’s important to talk to a healthcare provider about any concerns or questions before starting a new treatment. As Dr. Kanchanapoomi Levin says, “It’s always best to consult with a board-certified dermatologist or healthcare provider when choosing which oral contraceptive pill is right for you.”
Answer in video
In the video “Ask a doctor: Birth control side effects for teens,” the doctor discusses the other potential benefits of birth control for teenage girls, which go beyond preventing pregnancy and include treating menstrual cramps and acne. The doctor also addresses recent studies that linked birth control pills to side effects like depression, noting that these studies don’t definitively prove causation. To determine which type of birth control is best, the doctor suggests that parents and doctors should assess a teenager’s medical history, mental health, and lifestyle.
Other responses to your question
Birth control pills that contain the hormones estrogen and progesterone reduce functional androgen levels, thereby reducing sebum production and acne.
More interesting questions on the topic
Is birth control a good idea for acne?
A woman’s ovaries and adrenal glands normally produce a low level of androgens. Higher levels of androgens can lead to excess sebum. Taking birth control pills that contain both estrogen and progesterone lowers the amount of androgens in your body. This results in less sebum and less severe acne.
Also asked, How long does it take birth control to clear acne?
As an answer to this: While it can take as little as a month to notice an improvement, says Twogood, "in most studies, it took three to six months to show a reduction of acne due to birth control use." Of course, oral contraceptives are considered long-term treatment, and acne may flare back up with discontinued use of the medication.
In this manner, What are the side effects of birth control for acne? Are there side effects?
- spotting or bleeding between periods.
- headaches.
- nausea.
- breast tenderness.
- mood swings.
- depression.
- breast growth.
- weight changes.
Secondly, What does hormonal acne look like? Answer: What does hormonal acne look like? Whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, cysts and nodules are all common hormonal acne symptoms. Normally, whiteheads and blackheads do not cause pain, inflammation or swelling, but if they do, then they are most likely forming into cysts and pustules.
Does birth control really work to get rid of acne?
Answer: The hormones in combination birth control pills can help reduce acne. The pills decrease the circulation of androgens, which decreases the production of sebum. The pills must contain both estrogen and progestin to be effective against acne. The minipill only contains progestin, so it doesn’t help improve acne.
Likewise, Why is my birth control not helping with my acne? Why is birth control not helping my acne? The minipill only contains progestin, so it doesn’t improve acne. In fact, OCs that contain only progesterone can cause stronger androgenic effects and have the potential to exacerbate acne.
Subsequently, How long for birth control to clear up acne?
The answer is: The most common type of birth control pill, called combined oral contraceptives (COCs), can help clear acne, normally by about 35% after 3 months and 55-60% after 6 months. Studies show us that there are no stand-outs when it comes to which brand or type of COC is better for acne, and that they all work similarly and clear acne about equally well.
Correspondingly, Does birth control really work to get rid of acne? Response will be: The hormones in combination birth control pills can help reduce acne. The pills decrease the circulation of androgens, which decreases the production of sebum. The pills must contain both estrogen and progestin to be effective against acne. The minipill only contains progestin, so it doesn’t help improve acne.
In respect to this, Why is my birth control not helping with my acne?
Why is birth control not helping my acne? The minipill only contains progestin, so it doesn’t improve acne. In fact, OCs that contain only progesterone can cause stronger androgenic effects and have the potential to exacerbate acne.
Also question is, How long for birth control to clear up acne? As an answer to this: The most common type of birth control pill, called combined oral contraceptives (COCs), can help clear acne, normally by about 35% after 3 months and 55-60% after 6 months. Studies show us that there are no stand-outs when it comes to which brand or type of COC is better for acne, and that they all work similarly and clear acne about equally well.