What The Research Says
Most combined birth control pills are equally effective in helping acne breakouts. A 2012 review by Cochrane Reviews looked 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 treated noninflammatory and inflammatory acne.
The study also suggested there was slight evidence 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 isnt significant enough to favor one type of combined birth control over another, though.
In a summary of this study, the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care concluded that any claims that one pill can lead to better skin than another should be taken with caution.
A 2018 review confirmed that all of the different hormones in combination birth control pills are effective in reducing inflammation of acne.
Do All Birth Control Pills Improve Acne
There are two main types of birth control pills, the combination pill and the mini pill. The combination pill contains both estrogen and progestin. It is more likely to clear up your skin because it has estrogen in it. The mini pill contains only progestin, and won’t help your skin.
Birth control pills that may improve include:
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Brevicon
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Ortho Tri Cyclen
Caudalie Vinopure Supersize Purifying Toner 27
For the past six months, Ive been using Caudalies Vinopure range, and I dont think Ill ever go back. Katie started me off on the toner and balm, which made an immediate difference, and theyve just launched a cleanser, which is amazing too.
The main draw for me was the fact that the purifying toner is the first to use natural salicylic acid , so I knew I wasnt putting a tonne of chemicals on my skin. Once Ive washed my skin with the cleanser, I apply a few drops to a cotton pad and swipe it across my face and neck morning and evening, before applying serum.
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Most Popular Birth Control Pill For Acne: Yaz
Yaz is the most popular birth control pill prescribed for acne.
The active ingredients in Yaz are a progestin called drospirenone and an estrogen called ethinyl estradiol. These two hormones help treat acne by preventing the overproduction of androgen, a hormone that causes excess oil production in the skin, causing acne.
Doctors prescribe this medication to help clear up pimples because it contains drospirenone, which studies have proven to be the most effective ingredient in birth control pills used for acne.
How Do You Educate Patients About Potential Side Effects And Risks To Ensure They Understand The Risk
It is always important to discuss the risks and benefits of a particular medication in detail with your patient, Dr. Zeichner says, and he advises that dermatologists should also be sure to document the discussion in the patient chart.
I go through a laundry list of potential side effects including breast tenderness, irregular periods, as well as some of the rare side effects including mood disturbance and weight gain, he offers. It is important to educate patients on special warnings like clot risks so they understand how and why they are labeled in the package insert of a medication.
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Who Shouldn’t Use Birth Control Pills For Acne
You shouldn’t use birth control pills for acne when you are pregnant, have high blood pressure, have a history of blood clots or heart disease. Birth control pills are also not prescribed for girls who haven’t reached puberty yet.
Some side effects you may experience on the pill include bloating, headaches, nausea, and a very slight risk of developing blood clots.
You can speak with your dermatologist, primary doctor, obstetrics & gynecologist doctor, or nurse practitioner about the pill and whether or not it’s right for you. They can then prescribe the right medication for you after taking your medical history.
When Are Oral Contraceptive Pills Best Indicated In The Treatment Of Acne Who Is The Right Candidate For Treatment
Combined oral contraceptives are useful treatment for women either alone or in combination with other acne therapies. FDA approval mandates that they are used in women who also desire contraception, says Linda Stein Gold, MD, Director of Dermatology Clinical Research at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit and Division Head of Dermatology at Henry Ford Health System in West Bloomfield, MI. There are a number of contraindications to the use of COCs and special considerations . COCs have been shown to be effective in both inflammatory and comedonal lesions.
Andrew Krakowski, MD, a pediatric and adolescent dermatologist in practice in Bryn Mawr, PA, says he will consider adding OCPs to the acne armamentarium for appropriate females with moderate to severe acne. And although he typically likes to consider oral antibiotics prior to OCPs, he explains that he will often broach the concept of using both systemic medications at the same time to provide the patient options and to start the discussion about the possibility of treating with OCPsa conversation he hopes continues at home with the patients family in addition to the conversation in his office.
Aside from potential risks, the biggest negative of an OCP for acne is that the treatment is long-term, Dr. Harper explains. Therefore, these treatments are best for women who also desire contraception and who will plan to remain on the OCP for long periods of time.
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How Long Do Birth Control Pills Take To Work
The popularity of oral contraceptives cannot be just attributed for its birth control properties, but other problems not even related to it. Acne problems, irregular menstrual period and dysmenorrhea are just some problems that birth control pills help to eliminate. These problems are mostly hormonal related, which is what the oral contraceptives contain. Man-made estrogen and progestin hormones work primarily by inhibiting the effects of these hormones in our body. Having the knowledge on how they actually work whether for aesthetic purposes or for birth control, may also protect you from its unlikely effects.
How Well Does The Pill Work
Over the course of a year, about 8 out of 100 typical couples who rely on the Pill to prevent pregnancy will have an accidental pregnancy. The Pill is an effective form of birth control, but even missing 1 day increases the chance of pregnancy.
In general, how well each type of birth control method works depends on many things. These include whether a woman has any health conditions or is taking any medicines or herbal supplements that might interfere with its use .
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References
Which Birth Control Pills Are Approved To Treat Acne
The Food and Drug Administration has approved 4 birth control medications to treat acne:
Each one of these contains a combination of the hormones estrogen and progestin. Progestin-only birth control or mini-pills like Camila and Micronor do not work against acne. Besides these 4 brands, your provider may prescribe other birth control pills to improve acne, as long as they contain estrogen.
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What Are Some Of The Greatest Barriers To Prescribing This Treatment Are Patients Concerned About Side Effects Or Risks If So Which Risks/side Effects Do Patients Most Often Voice Concern About
One major barrier to the use of OCPs may be the personal beliefs of the patients and their families, Dr. Krakowski says. It is a big responsibility to commit to a systemic medication that you must take for not just a few weeks or months but, potentially, years. Knowing that the medication acts as a hormone that alters other aspects of your normal physiology raises obvious questions and concerns, most of which can be assuaged with a good heart-to-heart, he says.
Dr. Zeichner sees the same barriers in his practice. Many women are concerned with the idea of long-term treatments with any medication. They may be opposed to the use of hormones that may affect their bodies, as well as the potential side effects including change in mood, weight gain, or breast tenderness, he explains.
Weight gain, in particular, is concerning to most patients, the respondents concur. Patients should be reassured that OCPs should not cause major shifts in weight either up or down, Dr. Harper says.
Birth Control Pills Function Best When Used Together With Acne Creams
Birth control is rarely used entirely by itself when youre trying to get rid of acne. Dermatologists usually also prescribe lotions and topical creams that are meant to fight everyday pimples, such as benzoyl peroxide and retinoid. There isnt any research out there to figure out whether the pill is as effective on its own compared to its effect alongside acne creams, but we do know that its quite common for doctors to encourage their patients to use both.
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Does Hormonal Birth Control Cause Acne
Acne is complicated. Not only are there many different causes, but there are many different treatments as well. Adding to the confusion are the mixed messages surrounding hormones and acne: Do they cause the problem, or solve it?
Dr. Robert B. Topham and our experienced team of skin experts at Holladay Dermatology & Aesthetics in Holladay, Utah, are here to set the record straight, explore the link between hormones and acne, and discuss hormonal birth control as a treatment option.
Alternative Birth Control Pill For Acne: Estrostep
Estrostep is one of the four birth control pill brands approved for acne. Estrostep is made up of a combination of a progestin called norethindrone and an estrogen called estradiol. It works by reducing your body’s androgen levels, and in turn, reducing the production of oil in your skin.
The cost of Estrostep ranges from $44 to $142 for a month’s supply.
Estrostep has similar side effects to other birth control pills. They are mostly mild and include breast tenderness, mood swings, vomiting, and nausea. In very rare cases, some people might experience high blood pressure, strokes, and blood clots on Estrostep. If you notice any signs of these side effects, stop the pill immediately and see your doctor. Women above the age of 35 who smoke are also discouraged from taking Estrostep, as they are more likely to experience severe side effects.
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How Long Does It Take To See Results
It may take up to three months of treatment before you see an improvement in your skin. Thats the time it takes for your body to adjust to the new hormones and for the medication to affect your skins sebum production. If one brand of birth control pill doesn’t work for you, ask your healthcare provider if you can try another one. Women respond differently to different birth control pills.
Its possible that birth control medication alone will be sufficient to improve your acne. But if you have severe acne, you may need to use skin creams or prescribed topical treatments, along with the pill, to see an improvement in your skin.
Which Birth Control Pill Is Best For Acne
These medicines are FDA approved & these medicines have shown great efficacy in treating hormonal acne.
- Ortho Tri-Cyclen- In this estrogen is combined with a man-made form of progestin known as norgestimate & these pills are available in different doses of progestin. This helps in reducing androgens level & therefore reduces acne.
- Estrostep Estrogen is combined with a progestin called norethindrone. It reduces acne by increasing sex hormone-binding globulin , SHBG helps to decrease free testosterone level.
- YAZ- YAZ is a combination of estrogen & manmade form of progestin, known as Drospirenone. This has the benefit of anti-androgenic activity & hence reduces androgen & testosterone hormone level.
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How To Get Rid Of Acne After Stopping The Pill
I went to see the doctor a couple of times in the last few months, and she basically told me what I didnt want to hear: that it was just my body trying to regulate my hormones and that I just needed to be patient, my skin would get back to normal. Eventually.
She also mentioned eating healthily and avoiding dairy wouldnt hurt either, both of which I did already, so that didnt help much either.
She did say that if my acne persisted, I could come back in a few months and go down the prescribed acne treatment route, but for now, this wasnt an option.
I vaguely looked into post-pill acne supplements to calm my gut and regulate my hormones, but at this stage, I was a tad traumatised about putting more stuff in my body, so I went down the topical route instead.
I asked our Senior Digital Beauty Editor Katie Thomas for some advice, and she recommended a few products for me.
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How Much Can Birth Control Pills Reduce Acne
A paper published in 2014 combines data from 32 quality studies across the globe to examine the effects of birth control pills and antibiotics for acne. The graph below is a summary of the pooled data showing the average reduction in different types of acne after three and six months of treatment with either antibiotics or birth control pills.
You can see that antibiotics produced strong results after just three months. Birth control pills took a little longer, but after the six-month mark their improvements in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions were noticeable and comparable to those with antibiotics.
The total weighted reduction of lesions for the birth control group was 35% after three months and 55% after six months. The placebo group only showed a total lesion reduction of 28.6%.
While these are simply weighted average figures that combine a wide variety of results among several thousand women, it is clear that birth control pills can significantly improve acne for many women.
To further support these findings, a more recent study published in 2018 concluded that despite hormonal therapy not typically used as first-line treatment for acne, it can shorten the duration of antibiotic use or even eliminate the need for oral antibiotics.
Risks Of Oral Contraceptives
Today’s birth control pills contain lower doses of estrogen and progesterone than in the past. This has significantly lowered their medical risks. Still, women taking oral contraceptives do have a higher risk of side effects, including heart attack, stroke, and dangerous blood clots in the legs or lungs.
Other risks include:
You also shouldn’t take oral contraceptives if:
- You’re a smoker over age 30
- You’re currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- You’re severely obese or physically immobilized
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The Top 4 Brands Of Birth Control Pills For Acne
There are only 4 brands of birth control pills that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for preventing pregnancy AND treating acne. The FDA is the federal organization that must approve all prescription drugs, both brand-name, and generic brands, for their intended use.
That said, doctors will tell you that almost any combination birth control pill should help with acne.
However, these 4 birth control pill brands are special because the chemicals and specific hormones that they contain have been shown to help with acne.
The 4 FDA-approved brands of birth control pills for acne are the following:
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Beyaz®: Drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol/ levomefolate calcium tablets
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Estrostep® Fe: Norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP and ferrous fumarate tablets
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Yaz®: Drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol tablets
If you’re interested in any of the above 4 brands for acne, let us help you pick the best option for you.
When To Talk To Your Healthcare Provider
If you are curious if birth control pills could be a good fit for you and your skin, speak with your healthcare provider. They will be able to make specific recommendations and discuss your risk for side effects or complications.
Once you begin a regular birth control pill regimen, stay in contact with your healthcare provider. Tell them if you are experiencing any side effects. Its helpful to remember that it can take about two to three months to start seeing an improvement in your acne.
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Hormonal Acne After Stopping The Pill
Unfortunately, its quite common to get acne after quitting the pill, even if youve never had bad acne before. First off, you need to understand that the pill suppresses your hormones, so when you go off it, to put it quite simply, all hell breaks loose.
According to my research, several things can happen. These include, but are not limited to: an increase in testosterone, which can cause an increase in sebum, therefore oily skin and spots , your zinc levels which help keep skin in check is messed up, and a disruption in your gut flora, which can cause inflammation of the skin.
For me, it took the form of cystic acne , and whiteheads across the jawline, cheekbones and forehead, but also on my chest and back. Super sexy.
