You are not alone if acne can cause you to feel ashamed and frustrated. Acne can be treated with both over-the-counter and prescription medications. Matter of fact, many young women use birth control pills to treat hormonal acne. Acne causes skin irritation that ranges from mild to severe. According to Natalie Silver of Healthline, it is frequently caused by an increase in androgens, which are male sex hormones. Androgens are present in women and become active in both men and women during their adolescent years. Accordingly, these hormones stimulate the production of sebum, or oil, by the sebaceous glands. Birth control may help treat acne if you're a woman. Some birth control pills contain synthetic hormones that can help reduce oil secretion from your glands. According to experts, this can actually reduce breakouts. Note that the ingredients in birth control pills can differ, you should double-check that your medication contains the right combination of hormones.

So, how does birth control help with acne? Birth control, according to Megan N. Freeland, works by altering a woman's hormone levels in order to prevent pregnancy or relieve menstrual symptoms. Birth control that contains estrogen reduces the amount of testosterone in your body. With less testosterone, your pores produce less oil (sebum), which reduces the likelihood of acne-causing clogged pores. It takes some time for your body to adjust to the new hormone levels after you start using birth control for acne. One disadvantage is that your acne may worsen before it improves. This is only temporary and will improve as your hormone levels balance. You can expect your acne to clear up within 2 to 3 months of starting birth control pills (for women).

What effects do birth control pills have on acne? According to Natalie Silver, hormones combined with birth control pills can aid in acne reduction. The pills reduce the circulation of androgens, which reduces sebum production. To be effective against acne, the pills must contain both estrogen and progestin. Because the minipill only contains progestin, it has no effect on acne. There are numerous brands of combination birth control pills available. Each has a distinct set of hormones. Acne medications should contain progestin with a low androgenic potential. This means that the progestin causes fewer androgenic side effects like oily skin and acne.

Furthermore, Natalie Silver stated that the majority of combined birth control pills are equally effective in treating acne breakouts. Cochrane Reviews published a review in 2012 that looked at 31 trials involving the use of birth control as an acne treatment. The authors concluded that all combination birth control pills treated both noninflammatory and inflammatory acne after reviewing six new trials. According to the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, concluded in a summary of this study that any claims that one pill can lead to better skin than another should be taken with caution.  A 2018 study found that all of the hormones in combination birth control pills are effective at reducing acne inflammation.

Like other medications, taking birth control pills have side effects. If you are prescribed a birth control pill to treat acne, you should be aware of the side effects of the pill. Nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, bloating, weight gain, weight loss, changes in your period, headaches, breast tenderness, dizziness, and fainting are all possible side effects of birth control pills.  Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), heart attack, and stroke are all serious side effects of birth control. People who smoke, are over the age of 35, and have risk factors for cardiovascular disease are more likely to experience these severe side effects.

If basic over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatments do not clear up your acne, you should consult with your doctor about the best acne treatment for you. A combined birth control pill could be a good option. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, birth control may be a first-line alternative to antibiotics in the long-term treatment of acne in women.  If you are unable to find a suitable birth control pill that meets your needs, your doctor can assist you in identifying another treatment option.

ZDS DMO II Marie-Claire Gaas, RND    

References:

1. Using Birth Control to Improve Acne

Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — Written by Natalie Silver — Updated on March 7, 2019

https://www.healthline.com/health/best-birth-control-for-acne

2. Birth Control Pills to Treat Acne: When Is It a Good Option?

Written by Megan N. Freeland, PharmD, RPh, Published on October 4, 2019

https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/acne/birth-control-pills-to-treat-acne-recommendations-guidelines