Birth Control Pill Treat Acne


Adult women and teenage girls whose acne has resisted treatment with antibiotics or topical retinoids may be candidates for hormonal therapy. Once a patient’s acne is identified as being hormonally influenced, the doctor will be able to prescribe a number of different therapies including birth control pills, or perhaps a combination of several different drugs. Birth-control pills (a combination of estrogen and progestin taken orally) are often prescribed for hormonal acne.

Low doses of estrogen help suppress the androgens produced by the ovaries, and the newer progestin agents, including desogestrel and norgestimate, are less androgenic. While only Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Estro-Step are currently approved by the FDA for this indication, experts agree that low-dose contraceptives improve acne regardless of which formula is used. For further details on birth control pill treat acne, read Where All Can You Find Acne?

Birth control pills are used for controlling birth as well as to treat acne in women. These pills are quite effective in the sense that they are capable of changing hormone levels in the body and can reduce the acne causing effects of testosterone. But, before taking any medication, always discuss with your dermatologist for the most effective treatment for your particular case. So, if you are faced with the dilemma whether birth control pill clear up acne or not, the answer lies in its effective treatment itself.

However, there are a few problems with using birth control pills to control acne. Some women may actually notice their acne/ pimple worsen with the use of birth control pills until the estrogen levels become dominant. Different brands of oral contraception have different levels of hormones. Switching to another brand may bring acne back under control. There are several brands that may help cure acne but only Ortho Tri-cyclen has been approved by the FDA for treating acne.

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