Does birth control pills help treating acne?
Last Updated on by Sophie
Does birth control pills help treating acne?
Birth control pills is the last option for treating acne, when other options such as topical creams and oral antibiotics are not working in controlling acne.
Acne is triggered by excess production of Sebum oil by glands in the skin, sebum clog pores and help bacteria to grow which causes acne, androgens a group of hormones which include testosterone help stimulating sebum production.
The amount of androgen’s produced by adrenal glands and sex organs both in male and female is normally low and when the amount produced is high it will increase the amount of sebum produced which will lead to acne.
Birth control pills that contain both estrogen and progesterone reduced estrogen level in the body and this will bring down the amount of sebum oil produced which will lead to recovery from acne.
Not all birth control pills are useful for acne treatment, those contain only progesterone does the opposite and will make acne worse.
Combined oral contraceptive (COC) contains both estrogen and anti androgenic progesterone, this COC is more effective in treating acne and it’s available in 21 and 28 day pack.
You should start taking COC on first day of menstruation and continue for 21 days, one tablet a day.
After completing 21 days take 1 week break or take placebo tablets for 1 week if you are taking COC for 28 days.
Reports had shown that sebum oil production can be reduced by 30 per cent for those with excessive oily skin and slowing acne by 40-50 per cent.
COC will take a long time to treat acne, one cycle of usage is not enough to clear acne, some reports indicated that 80 per cent acne improvement after 8 or 9 cycle of COC.
Overall skin improvement has been reported too for a long time because of COC, however skin condition will start to deteriorate few months after COC is not used.
Combined oral contraceptive is not suitable for people have any of these health conditions:
Blood clot history.
Heart problem and high blood pressure.
If you smoke or obese, had recent surgery and traveling long distance you are not advised to take COC.
If you are using COC and noticed any of these signs, you need to contact your doctor.
Sudden numbness or weakness.
Signs of mood change (depression).
Swelling in your hand, ankles or feet.
Chest pain and pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder.
Nausea and sweating.
Swelling or warmth in one or both legs.
Breast lump.
Liver problem.
Even though COC is effective in treating acne and available over the counter does not mean you should use it without doctor advice.