Birth control pills contain some hormones that are helpful in reducing the oil production of your glands and decreasing the number of breakouts.
Advantages of birth control pills for acne
It is scientifically proven that the level of certain hormones in your body has a direct link to acne breakouts.
Many women experience acne breakouts just before their menstruation due to the hormonal changes taking place in the body.
Normally, a woman’s body produces a low level of androgen, a group of hormones including testosterone. A high level of androgen can trigger the skin to secrete sebum in excess, which may lead to clogged pores from a buildup of bacteria.
This results in acne breakouts. Birth control pills containing oestrogen and progesterone can help reduce the level of androgen in your body, thereby lowering the production of sebum and resulting in less acne breakouts.
Women with severe breakouts can take a combination of oral contraceptives and other acne treatments. Using birth control pills to treat acne will also mean that unplanned pregnancies can be avoided. Just one thing to remember – take the pills on schedule as prescribed by the doctor.
Types of birth control pills to treat acne in women
There are two types of FDA-approved birth control pills to treat acne. Both contain oestrogen and progesterone.
While they have the same low dose of oestrogen, the forms of progesterone are different.
• Ortho Tri-Cyclen: Contains oestrogen and a progestin named norgestimate. A progestin is a synthetic, or artificial form of progesterone. There are different doses of progestin available for this pill.
• YAZ: This pill has oestrogen combined with a progestin called drospirenone. The FDA has concluded that birth control pills containing drospirenone may result in a higher risk of blood clots than pills containing other progestins.
Side effects of birth control pills
If you are taking birth control pills to treat acne, there are some side effects you should be aware of.
• Nausea, vomiting
• Stomach cramps
• Bloating
• Mood swings and depression
• Change in weight (weight gain, weight loss)
• Changes in your periods
• Headaches
• Breast tenderness
• Fainting
Some dangerous side effects of birth control pills include deep vein thrombosis, hypertension (high blood pressure), liver and gallbladder disease.
Those who smoke, are older than 35, and have risk factors for cardiovascular disease are more likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke, and dangerous blood clots in the legs or lungs.
To get the greatest benefit of treating acne by using birth control pills, you should consult your health care provider as well as your dermatologist.
This article first appeared in hellodoktor.com and was reviewed by Dr Duyen Le. The Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.