Birth control pills - can they help to treat acne?

For once us girls get a better deal than the boys! Birth control pills are a great way of solving two problems with one prescription. Not only do they prevent pregnancy, but they can also work wonders on moderate to severe acne. Many women now take a birth control pill for acne treatment, instead of for contraceptive purposes.

The pill can be an effective acne treatment for women because it helps to stabilize fluctuating hormones. During puberty and at times during a woman’s menstrual cycle, male hormones (androgens) cause an increase in the amount oil production, this may lead to blemishes. Birth control pills can decrease excess androgens, which then decreases potential break outs.

However, there it's not all good news. Some women have found that the progestin part of the pill functions like an androgen, causing the skin to breakout or make acne worse. There are also some serious side effects of the pill that need to be taken into consideration before taking this medication.

Other side effects associated with the birth control pill may include vaginal bleeding, fluid retention, melasma (dark brown skin patches) and depression. The birth control pill may also increase your chances of a heart attack, a stroke, developing blood clots and breast cancer. (These risks are also compounded if you are a smoker).

Most birth control pills are effective in helping to treat acne, but at this stage the only pill to have gone through the FDA process, which allows it to state that it can help to prevent and treat acne, is Ortho TriCylen.

The birth control pill also works when with used in conjunction with other acne treatments such as topical antibacterial agents or tretinoins.

 

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2008 - Birth Control Pills

MORE ON ACNE SYMPTOMS & ADVICE

Contact | Disclaimer | Sitemap | Advertising |  Subscribe in a reader