Since acne is caused by hormone fluctuations, birth control pills may work perfectly well as treatment. Most women on birth control pill have noticed a smooth and fairer skin. The pills have been used to treat acne in the past among healthy women who also need contraceptives. This is a good alternative proactive solution. It is very important for anyone wishing to use birth control pills to treat acne to consult her doctor to avoid further complications. Androgen is a hormone that is produced by women’s ovaries. A higher production of androgen leads to high levels of sebum, which leads to acne. If a person suffering from acne uses birth control pills with estrogen and progesterone hormone, the result is lower sebum production and therefore less severe acne. In most cases, however, birth control pills are paired with other topical acne treatments such as benzoyl peroxide and retinoid. Naturally, dermatologists usually prescribe birth control pills as a second alternative after topical acne treatments have not produced the desired results.
Three types of birth control pills are used in the US to treat acne. These three types have been approved by the Unites States Food and Drug Administration. It is very important to note that these drugs can only be used by women who do not have health risks or complications. They include;
Estrostep – This pill uses estrogen together with norethindrone. It also lowers testosterone levels. The ideal age group that uses this pill to treat acne is women over 15 years of age. These women should only resort to the pill after having tried topical acne treatments but have seen no results. They must be not have any health complications and want to use oral contraceptives as birth control. The maximum time a women can use estrostep is 6 months.
Ortho Tri-Cyclen – This pill uses estrogen together with a progestin called norgestimate. Just like estrostep, this hormone lowers testosterone levels. It is also used by women with no health complications and who want to use birth control pills as contraceptives.
YAZ – This pill uses estrogen together with drospirenone .It is used by women over the age of 14 years, who have started menstruation and who want to use birth control pills as contraceptives. The Food and Drug Administration issued a note of caution in 2009 to YAZ. This means that all women wishing to use the pill should first consult their doctor.
NOTE; Women who have high blood pressure, who are older than 35 years of age, who smoke and have migraine headaches should not use birth control pills to treat acne.
