Acne is a pesky issue that many of us deal with, especially as teenagers and into young adulthood. Not only can pimples be painful, but they also take a toll on self-esteem. So, if you suffer from acne, you may wonder what could be causing it.
Birth control, something many people often start using as teenagers, is very safe. It is used to prevent women from becoming pregnant. And can also be used for other reasons. In fact, some dermatologists recommend birth control for treating hormonal acne.
But can birth control cause acne? Below we’ll look at whether this is a myth or if acne is a potential side effect of using birth control.
Can Birth Control Cause Acne?
The answer here is usually not. Most birth control pills do not cause acne. In fact, it is often the opposite, as birth control pills can have a positive effect when it comes to preventing acne.
That said, there is a type of birth control pill that can lead to a worsening of acne for some. Read on to get the details.
Androgens and Acne
Hormones, such as androgens, are the leading cause of acne. Both men and women produce androgens.
These hormones are incredibly active during puberty, which explains why acne is so prevalent among teenagers. Acne develops when androgens enlarge sebaceous glands and increase oil secretion. Hair follicles are trapped in the oil and dead skin cells.
How Birth Control Decreases Acne
Hormonal birth control drugs, such as the combination birth control pill, restrict the growth of natural hormones in the body, including testosterone. If people stop taking these pills, androgen rebounds may occur, resulting in acne breakouts.
You can reduce your body’s androgen levels by taking birth control pills containing both estrogen and progesterone. This leads to decreased sebum production and milder acne.
Currently, the FDA has approved only three forms of birth control tablets for treating acne. Each of these three oral contraceptives is a “combination” contraceptive containing both estrogen and progesterone.
However, birth control medications containing solely progesterone may worsen acne. Each birth control pill used to treat acne contains a small quantity of the same form of estrogen. However, each of them utilizes a distinct form of progesterone.
What Kind of Birth Control Treats Acne?
The three birth control pills that the FDA has approved for use to treat acne include:
- Ortho Tri-Cyclen
- Estrostep
- YAZ
Ortho Tri-Cyclen is estrogen combined with a progestin known as norgestimate. A progestin is a synthetic, or manufactured, variant of progesterone. The medication is available in doses of progestin.
Estrostep is made with estrogen combined with a progestin called norethindrone. The pill comes in different doses of estrogen.
YAZ is made with estrogen and a manufactured form of progestin called drospirenone. The FDA concludes that birth control pills with drospirenone may increase the risks of blood clots more compared to pills with other progestins.
Women eligible for using any of the mentioned medications to treat acne include:
- At least 14 or 15 years old (depending on the brand)
- Have already started menstruating
- Women who need to use contraceptives
Clinical trials have shown that birth control pills can treat acne by:
- Decreasing acne flare-ups
- Lessening pimples
- Lessening inflammation
- Reducing severe acne
So contrary to popular belief, birth control pills can actually help you manage and treat acne.
