• Birth Control
• Acne

Can Birth Control Help with Acne?

Birth control can affect more than just your reproductive system. A key aspect of what makes birth control effective is its effect on hormones. An imbalance of hormones can cause side effects like mood swings, changes in libido, and acne. 

Certain types of hormonal birth control can help balance out an overproduction of progesterone in the body which can lead to breakouts on the skin. However, birth control can also worsen acne in some people.

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What Causes Acne?

Acne is most commonly experienced in preteens and teenagers during puberty. It causes inflammation underneath the skin that leads to blemishes and breakouts on the surface. 

The primary cause of acne is often a hormonal imbalance. In girls, this is linked to high levels of androgen – a hormone typically associated with males. Other common causes of acne include folliculitis (follicle blockages on the skin), certain medications, and genetics. Smoking can also cause acne in older adults.

What are the side effects of acne?

Acne is often the source of low self-esteem and confidence issues in adolescents. Adults with acne may also experience mental health challenges while finding ways to treat acne. Be sure to reach out to your healthcare provider if you are experiencing depressive thoughts.

Common signs of acne include:

• Redness

• Skin irritation

• Blackheads

• Whiteheads

• Pimples

• Cysts 

• Dark spots

How Does Birth Control Treat Acne?

While birth control is not an official treatment for acne, hormonal and non-hormonal birth control can help reduce the severity of acne. 

A study found that girls saw improvements within weeks to months of taking birth control. One common factor among birth control that improved acne was the presence of ethinyl estradiol.

Hormonal birth control releases the hormones progestin and estrogen into the bloodstream. Hormones in birth control may help reduce a build-up of sebum (oil) in the skin that can cause pimples.

What is the Best Birth Control for Acne?

Combination birth control pills are the best option for treating acne. They contain both estrogen and progesterone — two hormones that play a key role in regulating oil production on the skin and androgens in the body.

The following birth control brands have been approved by the FDA for acne treatment:

• Yaz: This method of birth control contains estrogen and progesterone. It may also treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

• Ortho Tri-Cyclen: Tablets contain the progestational compound norgestimate and the estrogenic compound ethinyl estradiol.

• ESTROSTEP® Fe: These tablets contain progesterone and estrogen. They also include a seven-day supply of ferrous fumarate (iron).

• Beyaz: A combination pill that includes progestin, estrogen, and folate.

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What are the Side Effects of Birth Control?

Not everyone experiences side effects while taking birth control. However, it’s not uncommon to experience changes to your menstrual cycle after starting birth control.

Women on hormonal and non-hormonal birth control may experience:

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Breast tenderness

• Headaches

• Weight gain

• Mood swings

• Weight loss

What are the Risks of Birth Control?

Hormonal birth control may increase the risk of developing blood clots. While rare, the development of blood clots can lead to deep vein thrombosis in the legs or a pulmonary embolism (a potentially fatal blood clot in the lung). Deep vein thrombosis can cause changes in the skin, tenderness, and pain in the legs.

Be sure to let your healthcare provider know if you have a history of high blood pressure. They may recommend a non-hormonal birth control option instead to avoid this risk. Other risks of taking birth control are heart attacks and other cardiovascular conditions.

Can Birth Control Cause Acne?

Birth control can lead to skin changes like hyperpigmentation. Hormonal birth control pills contain estrogen that can increase pigmentation. Melasma causes brown and gray patches on the skin that disrupt an even complexion on the skin. In one study, participants experienced melasma within the first few months of starting the birth control pill. 

Birth control pills that only contain progesterone may worsen acne. A key component of treating acne is balancing androgens in the body. Without estrogen, progesterone-only birth control pills — also known as the mini pill — can cause hormonal acne to worsen. Other nonhormonal birth control methods like the IUD may not have any effect on acne.

Other Options for Acne Treatment

Hormonal birth control pills can reduce the severity of acne, but they may not always cause it to completely disappear. A dermatologist or primary healthcare provider may suggest using birth control with other acne treatments for a more aggressive approach to getting rid of acne. 

Topical antibiotics like tretinoin are often prescribed with acne to treat symptoms. Spironolactone is a high-blood pressure medication that may be prescribed with oral contraception to treat acne.

Be sure to protect your skin with sunscreen while using topical treatments. Let a healthcare provider know before starting treatments. 

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Hormonal treatment therapy may not work immediately. Most people see their acne get worse before it gets better. This period is often referred to as “purging.” The skin clears dead skin cells and excess oil out of the skin which may cause more breakouts before the skin improves.

Be sure to contact a healthcare provider if your acne worsens for a while after you have started birth control. Different types of birth control may cause a wide range of side effects in people. 

At LifeMD, you can speak virtually with a licensed healthcare provider who can provide you with additional options for treating acne.

Get started by scheduling an appointment today. 

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