Acneis a source of skin irritation that can range from mild to severe. It’s often caused by an increase in androgens, which are male sex hormones.
Androgens are also present in people assigned female at birth (AFAB), and they become active in the teenage years for everyone. They cause sebaceous glands to produce moresebum, or oil.
If you’re AFAB and you have acne, birth control may help treat it. The synthetic hormones found in somebirth control pillscan help decrease the secretion of oil from your glands. This can actually lessen breakouts.
The ingredients in birth control pills can vary, so you should make sure that your medication contains the right mix of hormones.
The birth control pill contains synthetic hormones that prevent the sperm from fertilizing an egg. It does this by:
- stopping theovariesfrom releasing an egg
- changing the consistency ofcervical mucusto make it harder for sperm to reach the egg
- altering the lining of theuterusto prevent implantation
Several birth control pills contain synthetic forms of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. These types of pills are known as combination pills. The ratio of the hormones differs in each form of the combination pill.
Other birth control pills only contain progestin, the synthetic form of progesterone. They’re sometimes referred to as minipills.
The birth control pill can offera variety of benefits. Those on birth control may experience:
- lighter, more regular periods
- fewer menstrual cramps
- reduced risk of certain cancers, includingovarian,uterine, andcoloncancers
- improved acne
Birth control pills don’t protect you fromsexually transmitted infections (STIs), however. You should consider using abarrier method, such as acondom, to protect against STIs.
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.
Many combination birth control pill brands are available. Each contains its own variation of hormones. Pills prescribed for acne should contain progestin with low androgenic possibility. This means the progestin has less androgenic side effects, such as oily skin and acne.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the following pills for the treatment of acne:
- Beyaz, which combines drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol, and levomefolate calcium
- Estrostep Fe, which combines norethindrone acetate, ethinyl estradiol, and ferrous fumarate
- Ortho Tri-Cyclen, which combines norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol
- Yaz, which combines drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol.
However, other combination pills that aren’t on this list may still help improve acne.
Most combination birth control pills are equally effective in helping improve acne.
A2012 reviewlooked at 31 trials involving the use of birth control as an acne treatment. After looking at six new trials, the authors concluded that all combination birth control pills treatednoninflammatory and inflammatory acne.
The study also suggested that combination birth control pills containing drospirenone were more effective than those that contained norgestimate or nomegestrol acetate plus 17 beta-estradiol.
Combination pills containing drospirenone were then found to be less effective than those containing cyproterone acetate. This distinction isn’t significant enough to favor one type of combined birth control over another, though.
In a summary of this study, the
A2018 reviewconfirmed that all the different hormones in combination birth control pills are effective at reducing inflammation of acne.
A
Acne can manifest in a variety of forms, including:
- blackheads
- whiteheads
- small red, tenderbumps
- pimples
- nodules
- cystic lesions
Acne can develop from:
- hormonal changes duringpubertyandadulthood
- medications
- makeup
- rubbing or placing pressure on the skin
Having a family history of acne can also make you more prone to getting acne.
Sometimes, acne can be stubborn and will resist basic treatment options.
Here are the potential benefits of birth control for acne:
- less frequent acne flare-ups
- fewer pimples
- less severe acne
- reduced inflammation and redness
Taking birth control for acne isn’t the right option for everyone. Before starting treatment, discuss the potential benefits and risks of birth control for acne.
Birth control may be a good option for controlling your acne if you:
- 基于“增大化现实”技术e over the age of 14 (recommended age may vary depending on the brand of birth control)
- reached puberty and started menstruating
- have frequent or severe acne flare-ups
Your dermatologist or healthcare professional will look for any risk factors that may rule you out as a candidate. It’s usually not recommended to take birth control for acne if you:
- have a history of:
- heart disease
- stroke
- blood clots
- deep vein thrombosis
- high blood pressure
- liver disease
- breast cancer
- smoke and are over the age of 30
- 基于“增大化现实”技术e pregnant or breastfeeding
Birth control for acne needs to be prescribed by a medical professional, like a dermatologist, doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. It can be prescribed following an in-person doctor visit or through an online healthcare service.
There are several companies available that offeronline birth control services. With these services, you’ll review options virtually with a medical professional, and the birth control pills are sent to your home.
If you’re prescribed a birth control pill to treat acne, you should be aware ofthe pill’s side effects.
Side effects of birth control pills include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach cramps
- bloating
- weight gain
- weight loss
- changes in your period
- headaches
- breast tenderness
- dizziness
- fainting
Rare but serious side effects of birth control includedeep vein thrombosis (DVT),heart attack, andstroke.
People whosmoke, are older than 35, and have risk factors forcardiovascular disease基于“增大化现实”技术e at a higher risk of these severe side effects.
Treatment for acnedepends on its severity and your reaction to different methods. The first line of treatment includes over-the-counter options, such as cleansers, lotions, and other topical treatments.
Prescription-based options include both topical and pill-based medications in the form ofantibiotics, retinoids, and others.
If your acne doesn’t clear up with basic methods, you should talk with your doctor about what acne treatment might be best for you. A combination birth control pill may be a good option.
According to a2014 study, birth control can be a first-line alternative to antibiotics in the long-term treatment of acne in women.
如果你采取混合避孕药小鬼rove acne, it may take anywhere from a few weeks to 3 months before you notice a visible improvement. This is because the hormones need time to get into your system and recalibrate your levels.
If you’re unable to find a suitable birth control pill that meets your needs, your doctor can help you find another treatment option.