Best Birth Control Pill For Acne

Filed under: Benefits of the Pill, Contraceptives and Acne — admin at 2:07 am on Tuesday, April 29, 2008

It is widely known that the birth control pill is often prescribed for the treatment of women’s acne but do you REALLY know what causes acne, WHY the birth control pill is prescribed for this condition and which is the best birth control pill for treating acne? This post will answer the first two questions, tomorrow’s post will help you to answer the third.

The FDA approved the birth control pill for the treatment of acne in 1997. If you are considering asking your doctor for one of the popular brands of birth control pills such as Desogen and Yasmin, there are some facts you should know, especially if you have certain health problems or inherited medical conditions. I’m going to deal with each pill, one post at a time. This post will deal with Desogen, the next one will address Yasmin, which seems to have a bigger following for acne treatment, due to one MAJOR change of ingredient.
What exactly is Desogen and How does Desogen treat acne?

Desogen is an oral birth control pill that contains a combination of synthetic female hormones to stop an egg being released from a woman’s ovary. If an egg is not released, it cannot be fertilized by a male sperm- so the woman cannot become pregnant. Most women take Desogen to prevent them from falling pregnant but others have found it to be extremely effective for clearing up their acne or significantly reducing breakouts.
Desogen does this by controlling the level of androgen (a male hormone) connected with the production of oil in our skin (from our sebaceous glands).

Why does acne occur and what does it look like?

On the surface of our skin are little ‘breathing holes’ or pores and ‘pockets’ (follicles) out of which each hair grows. The sebaceous gland in each follicle produces oil or sebum. When too much sebum is produced, these glands become blocked and inflamed which results in pimples, ‘zits’ and blackheads - a chronic outbreak is known medically as acne. In acute cases, these pustules can result in cysts or abscesses that become infected and scar the skin’s surface. If the production of sebum can be decreased then the acne is usually reduced also.

Why is the amount of oil produced by our sebaceous glands important?

Since the hormone, androgen, controls the release of sebum, it is not surprising that if there is an imbalance in hormone levels, especially during adolescence, then there is going to be an imbalance in the level of sebum produced. Even though contraceptive pills work effectively on acne treatment, they are not ideal for teenagers to take if they are not sexually active (unless they have had a thorough talk to their doctor first).

Desogen and acne is a ‘balancing act’.

Since Desogen affects the level of the androgen hormone within a woman’s body, it follows that every woman’s body will be operating on varying levels of hormone production so, to some degree, it is trial and error with a contraceptive medication such as Desogen for controlling the level of sebum produced and therefore controlling the severity of her acne. It is for this reason that Desogen can be extremely effective or in some cases, just not be compatible with the level of androgen being produced in certain women so their acne seems to get worse. Ethinyl etradiol is the synthetic estrogen in contraceptive pills that affects the level of androgen.

The birth control pill, Desogen, resolves acne conditions in many women

Doctors prescribe Desogen specifically for the treatment of acne in woman they consider suitable for this combination of synthetic hormones. Woman who can take Desogen will find that this birth control pill balances their hormones effectively and is the ideal drug for helping them to manage their acne.

It should be noted though, that no single treatment for acne, including Desogen, should be relied upon to treat this severe skin condition. A dirty skin, make up and bacteria also aggravate acne so topical products, such as lotions, creams and anti bacterial skin cleansers should be considered for use in conjunction with Desogen.

Always consult your doctor if you wish to try Desogen for your acne treatment and tell him which other medications/topical products you are also using.

As with many medications, however, some women find they do experience various side effects when taking Desogen.
Some common side effects include nausea, headaches, slight bleeding, weight gain (less likely with Yasmin) and possible mood changes.
After taking Desogen for three months, many of these effects disappear but you should monitor your body closely and consider a different treatment, maybe switching to Yasmin, if they persist or if they worsen.

The clearly documented risks associated with all contraceptive pills must be noted for Desogen also, whether taken for acne or as your preferred birth control method. These risks include stroke, blood clotting and breast cancer (although the contraceptive pill has positive benefits in reducing ovarian and uterine cancer)

Smoking is bad for you anyway but the risks of developing heart disease increase if you are on the ‘pill’.

If you do take Desogen to prevent acne, take it as prescribed by your doctor - even if you save money by buying it on line

Missing a dose of Desogen or Yasmin will not have such a bad effect on your acne but it will affect your risk of getting pregnant if you are sexually active.
Check the leaflet that comes with the Desogen pack if you miss a pill and of course, if you are unsure as to whether you can two pills on one day, check with your doctor or medical practitioner. To reduce the anxiety or stress further, it would be wise to use additional contraception at this time.

Desogen is ideal for reducing the painful and embarrassing condition of acne in many women but unfortunately it is unsuitable for a certain percentage of woman. It is probably worth trying though as the benefits can be excellent and it is likely that if you keep in contact with your doctor you will eventually find a combination of the ‘pill’ and a topical skin product that will help you through your acne ‘chapter’.

Come back here tomorrow to see what makes YASMIN different from all the other oral contraceptives and why many women would argue that this oral contraceptive, not Desogen, is the best birth control pill for acne.

6 Comments »

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Comment by prudz

October 22, 2008 @ 2:24 am

i am a mother, have two siblings and i want to take birth control but im afraid and have a delimma if what is the best contaceptive i have to take

Thank you for your enquiry

You do not state your age or whether or not acne is also a problem for you so as you have commented under this post perhaps Yasmin may be a pill you could trial initially? A doctor will advise you once your medical history has been determined so do not be afraid to ask.

BUT- If you are looking for long term contraception only or have decided NOT to get pregnant again during your reproductive life, please talk to a health professional about alternatives to a contraception pill such an IUD, an implant or an injection (Depo shot lasts 3 months). You may have ruled one of these out already if you are uncomfortable about the ‘process’ of administration but you can’t beat a face to face conversation with someone who cananswer your specific questions and assess your personal circumstances. These birth control options mentioned will not, however, protect you from sexually transmitted diseases but if you are now with one sex partner and intend to remain with him, this may not be an issue for you. If you intend to have multiple sex partners a condom can be used as well.

The IUD and implant will prevent pregnancy for several years and both have a high success rate. Once fitted you can ‘forget’ these types of contraceptive as they just keep on working without you having to remember to do anything more until you wish to become pregnant or have emerged from menopause!

If you choose an injection, this will have to be administered every 3 months, which is not as often as remembering to take a pill every day and there is less risk of ‘missing’ a pill. There are too many warnings surrounding the ‘patch’ for me to encourage you to consider this particular method of contraception. Good Luck and let me know how you get on.

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Comment by Brandy

June 2, 2009 @ 2:19 pm

I am a mother of a 12 year old soon to be 13 and she has been fighting acne for over a year. I am considering birth control for her. Also she has very heavy periods and cramping that gets so bad she cannot finish a full day of school. She gets so sick and throws up. So I am wondering if I am doing the right thing for her by putting her on birth control? Please give me your input.

Dear Brandy,

I sympathise with your situation, watching your daughter go through this is awful and taking that step to put her on the pill is also a milestone in her life that can attract its own issues. It sounds as though you have tried everything else to relieve your daughter’s cramps and acne and that the ‘pill’ is your last resort. If you have talked to your doctor about this I bet the pill has been one of the first solutions suggested. I understand your reluctance to start your daughter on synthetic hormones at her age though. Many young girls rave about Yasmin for acne and other pills work for many too.

What you eat also affects your skin and diet can be just as sensitive a topic with a teenager as the appearance of their skin. Can you persevere a bit longer with treating two conditions separately while a young body adjusts itself to womanhood?

Dysmenorrhea (the technical name for severe period cramps) is a separate issue from acne, a low dose birth control pill often solves both problems it’s true. If it was my daughter, I would explore every other option before putting her on the pill, which is a mix of artificial hormones that may have its own side effects.

Pain is a sign that something in your daughter’s body is out of balance, no prizes for guessing at her age, that its’ probably her hormones and the fact that she now also ovulating regularly. The earlier periods start, the more common the pain seems to be. Suppressing ovulation with the ‘pill’ can relieve this pain and reduce acne.

Pain killers such as Nurofen may work better than panadol for this type of pain as they stop/reduce the release of prostaglandins, hormones used by the uterus as it contracts to expel its lining.

Natural medicines work really well to correct imbalances in our bodies, they find the CAUSE and address it. If you are open to finding a good naturopath you may be surprised at the results and it may buy your daughter more time off the pill. You’ll have peace of mind that you did try alternatives first.

If nothing works after all this, a low dose birth control pill will probably be recommended by your doctor but again she will go through a period of trial and error until she finds one that suits her metabolism.

Topical acne treatments should be well researched if your doctor has not prescribed a suitable one as many over the counter products can strip oils from the skin causing the glands to secrete even MORE oil to harbour dirt and bacteria and keep the cycle going. Teenagers will do ANYTHING to get rid of those spots and are very vulnerable consumers.

It’s tough growing up but use this ‘opportunity’ to be a ‘good friend’ and talk through all the options with your daughter without any judgement about the ‘pill’ and its implications. This will stand both of you in good stead for those ‘puberty blue’ years ahead of you and lay the foundation for open dialogue between you on your daughter’s sexual health issues.

All the very best Brandy, your daughter is fortunate to have such a caring mum who is willing to get on board and help her,

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Comment by denny brown

April 10, 2010 @ 8:15 pm

I am 30 years old i am married but have no kids, my husbands and i used condoms to prevent pregnancy for now, but i am having really bad acne and i suffer from fibroids what contraceptive is best for me.

Dear Denny,
I understand your challenges with all these issues (I am no longer the owner of a uterus -due to large fibroids) The acne is a very visible and distressing problem that needs dealing with asap but you’re probably worried that fibroids complicate your birth control issue if you use hormones. Fibroids are rich in estrogen receptors and so react to hormones estrogen and progesterone, which is why symptoms often disappear at menopause. Taking high doses of estrogen could make your fibroids grow but there is no evidence that the low doses in any form do. However, if I were you, I would get my hormone levels checked out first (urine, blood or saliva test, easy) A 3-4 month trial with any low dose BCP that suits your metabolism could be combined with a check to see if your fibroids increae in size. It’s likely that they won’t and it’s likely that your acne will be reduced too. If you prefer natural approaches try eating more whole grains and beans - which are said to change the body’s estrogen/progesterone ratio for the better and shrink fibroids.

Are you taking any antifibrinolytic medicines (which help blood to clot)? If so you should NOT use other hormonal contraceptives like Depo shots, implants, vaginal ring or BCPs without approval from your doctor as this could increase your risk of blood clots, stroke or even heart attack. I would not be recommending an IUD in your case (possible bleeding problems aggravated) Are you squeamish about using a diaphragm as an alternative to condoms, it’s not quite as reliable though and may be less so if your fibroid is pressing down on your vagina and distorting it?

If your fibroids are severe, there are now several options for treating fibroids, including hysteroscopic resection, uterine embolization, myomectomy and suprecervical hysterectomy but hang on to your ovaries if you can. If you do not want children, ever, Essure is a birth control method that would give you a permanent solution but it won’t do a thing for your acne or your fibroids.

Your decision may be to avoid all types of hormonal birth control and deal with the acne via consultation with a dermatolgist, Denny, it does sound chronic and it may be a big ask to expect a low dose birth control method to clear it up completely which is why I am reluctant to suggest any brand in particular. Good luck, best wishes to you.

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Comment by emily

June 21, 2010 @ 11:14 pm

My doctor recently prescribed YAZ for my acne, but I’ve been doing some reading on it and there are a ton of very serious side effects & lawsuits! I also struggle with my weight so I don’t want to be taking anything that will make me gain weight just to clear my acne. Are there any safer pills that don’t promote weight gain & help to clear acne out there?

Dear Emily,

Please accept my deepest apology for this delayed reply to your email query. I have been o/seas and out of ‘the online ether’ for a while, attending to family affairs in the UK.

You have probaly solved your problem by now but FYI I thought I would pass on information that you may find helpful for future reference. There seems to be a link between types of synthetic progesterone in different BC pills and the various reactions women have. Every woman responds differently to the progestin dose and strength or androgenicity (male hormone effect),

Many women love Yaz/Yasmin because of its reduced side effects (its progestin type has anti water retention properties, hence less apparent weight gain) but everyone’s metabolism and medical history is unique so despite the brand name of a BC pill, the same pill can affect diffent women in different ways. It is a case of trial (approx. 3 months) and error I’m afraid and sadly for those women with a tendency to blood clotting, gall bladder weakness/disease, acne and other conditions, taking an oral contraceptive cocktail can result in a bad outcome. Careful screening and consultation with a doctor is really the only way to find compatible and effective options for birth control.

Have you considered hormone free alternatives such as an IUD ? Condoms still need to protect you from STIs as you know.

In regard to minimising weight gain, the pills with the lowest estrogen and progestin strength are usually recommended so this is probably why your doctor suggested Yaz. Alesse is another popular low dose pill.

In relation to minimising acne, if you are prone to this condition, the pills higher in estrogen and lower in androgen strength are recommended. These include: Yasmin, Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Mircette (see appropriate pages here)

I wish you the best of luck in your trials and well done for researching as much as you can. Don’t let anyone intimidate you for asking questions!

Kind regards carole

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Comment by Victoria

October 4, 2010 @ 2:38 am

Hello,
Your website is lovely and very informative, thank you. I was very relieved to find it as I am currently hunting for the perfect (ha) contraceptive pill.
For the last 6 years I’ve been on and off Diane35, Ortho Tri lo and regular. Both have caused extreme anxiety and depression in my case.
I am in a committed relationship and looking to protect against pregnancy while maintaining my sanity and hopefully clearing my skin.
I have been struggling with varrying degrees of acne for several years. None of the brands I’ve tried have significantly improved my skin. I recently noticed that three months after stopping birth control (diane) my skin improved for roughly two months then my acne returned with a vengence (current situation).
I’m curious if typical doses are too strong but no dose is not enough?
I also noticed during a possible pregnancy (strange period about 2 weeks late) that my skin was clearing up. Most birth control pills mimic pregnancy no? Which brand offers the closest hormone levels of pregnacy?
I am interested in having a hormone analysis to help narrow down the search. What can I look for in the results that will help me find a pill best suited to my body’s natural hormone production, my fight against acne and my susceptability for anxiety and depression?
Sorry for so many questions, and thank you for your patience and knowledge.

Dear Victoria,

Thank you for contacting me re your situation with BC pills and managing your acne. I apologise for the delayed reply.

I appreciate your kind comments re my website and sincerely wish to help people with ‘no frills’ information, however, I am not a doctor and have to be responsible in the way I answer requests from individuals. I’m sure you appreciate this, especially as I have no complete medical history but I do feel for your situation and assume that you have read the last post on acne ( Sep. 9th) that explained about androgen activity and it’s relation to the hormones in BC pills?

While there is no ‘perfect’ BC pill for everyone because each of our metabolisms vary, an ‘ideal’ pill should have no major side effects that are noticeable. In your case, Vicki, it sounds to me as though you may have a higher than average level of androgenic activity- I think this is why Diane 35 was prescribed for you, as Cyproterone acetate has an anti androgen effect, (blocks androgen receptors) and doctors sometimes suggest this pill if previous oral antibiotics for acne treatment have not worked. I understood that Diane 35 should only be used for approx. 4 cycles or temporarily until the acne had cleared up because of a risk of blood clots.
Diane 35 should not be used solely as an oral contraceptive. One of the side effects is mood swings also but you do not state for how long you used this medication. I am glad that you are off it now.

The Canadian Health Dept. stated in 1996 that the ‘risks far outweighed the benefits’ of Diane 35 for the treatment of acne.

Given your severe acne, I doubt if any of the progestin doses in BC pills are too strong – and you are correct, unless you are allergic to estrogen, the ‘low dose’ pills will not have been strong enough to help reduce your acne and it is this ‘balance’ that you need to get right IF a BC pill is the answer for you (which it may not be).

You may need a carefully prescribed acne treatment separate from your birth control management but since control of acne is concerned with balancing hormones, herein lies your management from now on. Progesterone only oral contraceptives will likely not be effective on your acne, I’m afraid so I wouldn’t bother trialling these.

Another form of birth control may be the only option if this roller coaster surging of acne outbreaks continues when you take BC pills.

Ortho Tri-cyclen Lo was probably recommended to you because this BC pill does mimic closely the body’s natural cycles in releasing its varying amounts of hormones. The progestin type in this pill is Norgestimate and maybe another form of progestin, levonorgestrel may suit you better.

Yaz/Yasmin (progestin type is drosperinone) http://contraceptivereviewer.com/yasmin/ has been effective for lots of women but again, with your history of acne, Victoria, if it was me, I would be having a hormone analysis before I put my poor old body through any more ‘trials’ with synthetic hormones(no wonder you are anxious and depressed!) I know that this sounds as though I am backing out of answering your questions but honestly, Victoria, your case is a sensitive and delicate one that does need a medical professional’s attention and I think you have suffered enough over the past 6 years. It would be irresponsible of me to suggest otherwise.

I am sure that you have a committed and supportive partner so empower yourself with further knowledge about exactly how your body functions and responds to hormones.

Please keep in touch and let me know how you get on. Best wishes,

Kind regards Carole

Sincerly,
Victoria

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Comment by pimplesongenitals

April 30, 2011 @ 4:04 am

Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.

Dear Pimples (if I may call you that kindly), Thank you for your warm compliment. I spend hours researching material and sometimes wonder if anyone ever benefits- now I know that they do, it’s so heart warmimg and keeps me goind. Keep following my posts please and of course tell all your friends too!

Be kind to yourself, Kind regards Carole

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