Acne and Birth Control

For some female patients, treatment-resistant acne is caused by excessive production of hormones called androgens. With extra androgens in your system, your sebaceous glands go full speed - and the fact that your acne. Several clues can help the doctor identify the acne that can be influenced by hormones, the acne that appears in adults, for the first time, acne flares before menstrual cycle, irregular menstrual cycles, hirsutism (excessive growth of hair in unusual places) and high levels of certain androgens in the blood.

Adult women and teenage girls that acne has resisted treatment with antibiotics or topical retinoids may be candidates for hormonal therapy. When the patient's acne is identified as hormonally active, your doctor may prescribe a variety of treatments, or perhaps a combination of several different medications, "Combination therapy" is often the best approach for this type of acne. Here are some common components of treatment with hormonal acne, but be sure to consult your doctor before using any of the remedies listed here.

Acne / Birth pills - pills. Birth control pills (a combination of estrogen and progestin taken orally) are often prescribed for hormonal acne. Low doses of estrogen help suppress the androgens produced by the ovaries and the recent progestational agents, including desogestrel and norgestimate are less androgenic than those found in older formulations. While only Ortho Tri-Cycle and Estro-Step are currently FDA approved for this indication, experts agree that low dose contraceptives improve acne regardless of which formula is used. Talk to your gynecologist to find the formula for you. Although side effects are rare, some women experience brown spots or melasma (hyperpigmentation) on the skin. These can be treated with topical bleaching agents.

Pill against acne / Birth - The anti-androgens. In combination with the pill, even doctors may prescribe an anti-androgen, these substances inhibits the production of androgens by the ovaries and adrenal glands and help prevent existing androgens causing excessive oil production. Spironolactone, a drug against high blood pressure with anti-androgenic properties, has been very effective in the treatment of acne. Side effects can include breast tenderness, menstrual irregularities (in women not using oral contraceptives), headache and fatigue, as it is also a diuretic, you may experience frequent urination as well.

NOTE: Spiranolactone is tetrogenic and can cause feminization of a male fetus. If you are sexually active and not taking "the pill", it is imperative that you use another method.