Birth Control Pills May Get Worse Before They Get Better
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Rather than dealing with the casual breakout, with your skin constantly red, swollen, and at times even painful when you touch. It’s at this point that a lot of people opt for birth control as a way to treat and control flare-ups. But just like taking any other recommended medication, you need to do your research and talk to a doctor before using birth control for acne-prone skin, especially when you consider that not all birth control works the same or warrants the same skin-clearing outcome.Different birth controls will have different progesterone in it, and the progesterone is the component of birth control pills that will be effective against acne. Each person may respond differently to various forms of oral contraception, so finding the one that works for you is essential. Even though birth control can be incredibly useful in getting rid of acne on your skin, you should remember that it’s not the first line of defense. Usually, dermatologists will first recommend a cream retinoid.The Guttmacher Institute did a study showing that 58 percent of all the women taking oral contraceptives do so for reasons other than avoiding pregnancy. Another huge benefit of taking the pill? Less acne. Why does the tablet clear up so many women’s dermatological complications? It’s the combination of estrogen and progestin present in the capsule that attributes to clear skin. Even though some of us may have only recently found out the uncanny link between oral contraceptives and blemish-free skin, it’s been on doctors’ radars for decades before us, even before that exact use was under the FDA approval and public acknowledgment. We have laid down some facts about how birth control affects your skin surface:
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The Pill Gets Rid of Acne By Reducing The Hormone Testosterone
The pill works wonders for acne because it decreases the levels of androgens — the so-called ‘male hormones’ — in your system, the most common being testosterone. The more testosterone present in your body, the more the production of sebum oil. Sebum oil blocks your pores and leads to your face breaking out. By significantly minimizing testosterone, though, your face will see less oil stack up, which will them make it much harder for pimples to pop up.
Birth Control Pills Function Best When Used Together With Acne Creams
Birth control is rarely used entirely by itself when you’re trying to get rid of acne. Dermatologists usually also prescribe lotions and topical creams that are meant to fight everyday pimples, such as benzoyl peroxide and retinoid. There isn’t any research out there to figure out whether the pill is as effective on its own compared to its effect alongside acne creams, but we do know that it’s quite common for doctors to encourage their patients to use both.
The Birth Control Pill Might Be Better For Acne Than Antibiotics
A study from 2014 published by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology showed that the birth control pill is just as effective at fighting acne as antibiotics are — researchers found that it may be better than antibiotics as the number one acne fighter. From 32 controlled trials, they saw that, after three months, the medicines were more effective; however, after the six-month mark, they reran tests to find that oral contraceptives were creating the best acne-busting results.Treating Mild to Severe Acne. These three oral contraceptives have approval for healing moderate acne in women who:
- Have a minimum of15
- Are already on their periods
- Are looking for contraception
Doctors recommend birth control for the full spectrum of acne, from mild to severe. Also, dermatologists may recommend additional birth control products for acne. If you’re already under a birth control pill that’s functioning well in treating acne, you don’t have to switch brands. But if you are under birth control pills for acne for the first time, it’s best to utilize one of the three types now approved for acne medication. You may have to take birth control tablets for a few months before your skin starts to clear. And an initial flare-up of acne is typical when a woman begins to take oral contraceptive pills.Oral contraceptives function on only one acne-related factor – extra sebum. Doctors often recommend other forms of acne treatment – antibiotics or topical medications -to be used alongside them for the best outcome in clearing up your skin surface. If you have severe acne together with the irregular menstrual cycle, obesity, or excess facial hair, your doctor may do further trials for a medical condition known as polycystic ovary syndrome or any other hormonal complication.
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Advantages of Birth Control for Acne
Several clinical tests have shown that taking combination birth control pills can lead to: Minimized acne flare-ups, Fewer pimples, Less inflammation, and Few severe acne.
A lot of women with severe acne take oral contraceptives with other acne remedies. For women who also want contraception, taking birth control pills for acne also provides one of the most effective forms of contraception, as long as they make the tablets on schedule as prescribed by the doctor.
Potential Risks of Using Birth Control Pills To Treat Acne
If You’ve just stopped taking oral contraceptive pills, Your Skin Condition may Worsen. According to dermatologists, when you stop taking the pill, complications may occur. The reason is that your body will experience hormonal shifts when you stay oral contraceptives. Therefore, don’t be shocked if those changes lead to a breakout. It is highly likely if you used to struggle acne before you started using with the pill.If your concern is breakouts, experts recommend that you watch your diet when you’re shifting from the pill. Say goodbye to sugar, refined carbs, and dairy for some time, and eat plenty of low-glycemic foods. It will discourage your skin from becoming inflamed. Of course, speak with your medical professional to figure out how to incorporate all this information into your routine. Just because you’re no longer taking the pill doesn’t mean you have to wake up the following mornings with a spotted face.
The Risks of Birth Control Pill Could Outweigh Its Benefits
You shouldn’t forget that the tablet still comes with some serious risks, and it may not be worth the risk.There are some health concerns you ought to take into account if you’re thinking of getting on the pill. Women who are under the medicine are at a much higher risk for developing blood clots than those who don’t- 4x more likely. Visit your doctor and get a proper prescription on birth control- your dermatologist will assist you in taking care of your health, and with the assistance of your doctor, you can discover if taking the pill for acne is worth it for your case.You should also remember that even if the pill clears up your breakouts, that still might not be the end of your skin complications. According to skin specialists, birth control is just a surface solution for the acne you might be going through. It clears up your skin in the short term, but it won’t fix whatever issue was causing the acne at the beginning. Other risks of taking birth control pills for acne are:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) and other cardiovascular complications
- Depression and mood changes
- Liver and gallbladder disease
- Migraine headaches
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What Birth Control Pills Should I Use?
Birth Control Pills Cleared By FDA For Acne
To reap the acne-fighting benefits, you need to be on a combination form of birth control (one with both estrogen and progesterone)—that means intrauterine devices (IUDs) and progesterone-only pills (a.k.a. mini-pills) won’t work. It’s the estrogen, specifically, in birth control that does the work of leveling out those oil-producing androgens. Whatever birth control pill you take for acne, ensure it comes from a certified dermatologist. Only a dermatologist should treat cystic acne if you want to get the best and most impactful care that targets the type of acne on your skin surface. Each combination of oral contraceptive pills should contain a net effect of being anti-androgenic. Androgens boost the formation of acne, and blocking them improves acne. If a person has a history of a blood clotting disorder, is a smoker, or has migraine headaches, they are not good candidates for a birth control pill.The FDA has cleared ortho Tri-Cyclen for treatment of acne-prone skin. It functions by influencing your body’s hormone levels. When women’s hormone levels change from a more female profile (for instance, with estrogen, progesterone) to a more male individual (such as testosterone) during our cycles, this affects oil production and acne. Swallowing birth control pills stabilize these hormones and decreases the amount of testosterone in your body.Estrostep is another form of birth control cleared by the FDA for acne-prone skin. Although inflammatory or teenage acne is commonly treated with oral antibiotics if appropriate, for hormonal acne, the failure rate of antibiotics is 70% to 80%. It is where birth control comes into play.
