Birth Control Pills for Acne: How They Work and Other Uses

Some combination birth control pills have also been approved by the FDA to treat acne. Indeed, apart from treating existing acne, birth control pills can also help reduce the severity of acne in the future.

Although acne is a source of skin irritation that can range from mild to severe. It is also often caused by an increase in androgens, namely male sex hormones. Androgens are also present in people assigned female at birth (AFAB).

They become active in adolescence for everyone and cause the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, or oil. If you are AFAB and have acne, birth control may help treat it.

Synthetic hormones found in some contraceptive pills can help reduce oil secretion from your glands. This can actually reduce acne. For example, the ingredients in contraceptive pills can vary. So you have to make sure your medication contains the right mix of hormones.

How Birth Control Pills Work

Birth control pills contain synthetic (man-made) hormones that prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg. This is done by:

• stops the ovaries from releasing eggs.
• changing the consistency of cervical mucus making it more difficult for sperm to reach the egg
• changing the uterine lining to prevent implantation

Some contraceptive pills also contain synthetic forms of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This type of pill is also known as a combination pill. The ratio of these hormones is different in each form of combination pill.

Other birth control pills only contain progestin, a synthetic form of progesterone. These are sometimes referred to as mini pills.

Birth control pills can also offer a variety of benefits. Those using birth control pills may experience:

• lighter, more regular menstruation
• fewer menstrual cramps
• reduced risk of several types of cancer, including ovarian, uterine, and colon cancer
• improved acne

Therefore birth control pills do not protect you from sexual infections (STIs). You and your partner should consider using a barrier method, such as condoms, to protect against STIs.

How Contraception Treats Acne

The hormones in combination birth control pills can help reduce acne. The fact that these pills reduce the circulation of androgens, which can also reduce sebum production. Pills must contain both estrogen and progestin to be effective against acne. The minipill only contains progestin, so it doesn't help improve acne.

Many brands of combination birth control pills are available. Each contains different variations of hormones. Pills prescribed for acne should contain progestins with low androgenic probability. This means that during progestin it has fewer androgenic side effects, such as oily skin and acne.

Approved Birth Control Pills For Acne

To clarify the facts, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the following pills for the treatment of acne:

Beyaz

Beyaz combines drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol, and levomefolate calcium.

Each package contains 28 pills:

24 pink tablets contain:

• 3 mg drospirenone
• 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol
• 0.451 mg levomefolate calcium

4 light orange tablets contain 0.451 mg of calcium levomefolate

Possible side effects include:

• headache or migraine
• irregular menstrual cycle
• nausea and vomiting
• fatigue
• breast pain to breast enlargement
• Mood changes, such as irritability or depression
• low libido
• weight gain

Estrostep Fe birth control pills

Estrostep Fe combines norethindrone acetate, ethinyl estradiol, and ferrous fumarate.

Each package contains 28 pills with 21 hormonal contraceptive tablets and 7 non-hormonal tablets.

Possible side effects include:

• nausea and vomiting
• cramps and bloating
• changes in the menstrual cycle
• spotting or breakthrough bleeding
• migraine or headache
• changes in body weight
• breast pain to breast enlargement
• rash
• fungal infection
• increased risk of blood clots

Ortho Tri-cyclen birth control pills

Ortho Tri-Cyclen combines norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol. Each package contains 28 pills.

There are 21 hormonal tablets with:

0.250 mg norgestimate

0.035 mg of estrogenic compound

ethinyl estradiol

7 light green tablets are non-hormonal.

Potential side effects include:

• nausea and vomiting
• cramps and bloating
• rash
• tenderness or breast enlargement
• swelling
• changes in the menstrual cycle
• spotting or breakthrough bleeding
• fungal infection
• migraines and headaches
• depression
• increased risk of blood clots

Birth control pills Yaz

Yaz combines drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol. Each package contains 28 pills. Of these, 24 tablets contain 3 mg drospirenone and 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol, and 4 tablets do not contain hormones.

Potential side effects include:

• nausea and vomiting
• migraines and headaches
• spotting and heavy bleeding
• cramps and bloating
• period change
• breast pain to breast enlargement
• changes in body weight and appetite
• Mood changes, such as irritability or depression
• vaginal infection
• increased risk of blood clots

Other

Other combination birth control pills not on this list may still help improve acne. Talk to your healthcare professional to fully explore which option is best for you.