Using the Birth Control Pill to control acne

One cause of acne is an imbalance of hormones.  This is one of the reasons why teenagers suffer from acne more than adults.  A dermatologist can determine if this is the case in your situation.

If it is the case, and you are a woman is isn’t planning on getting pregnant, taking a birth control pill to treat acne can be effective.  They work by reducing the hormone androgen as part of their normal course of operation.  This hormone is partially responsible for making skin more oily, and creating oils that clog pores.  It is therefore possible that a side-benefit of taking the pill is to have clearer skin.

As with anything that attempts to change your body chemistry, taking the birth control pill for acne can take one to three months to show any difference.  One of the reasons is that the pill can’t really do much for outbreaks that are already formed, either at the skin level, or just below.  It will begin working on the root cause, but it will take some time for your system to work out a backlog of oils that it has built up.

This isn’t necessarily a good idea, however.  There are many downsides to the birth control pill, such as an increased risk of developing blood clots, diabetes, gall stones, liver tumors, heart attacks, osteoporosis and breast cancer.  The pill has also been associated with mood swings, migraine headaches, and allergic reactions.  It’s unlikely that taking the pill for acne alone is worth the risk, but you should consult with your doctor to discuss options.

And, of course, taking the birth control pill to control your acne may not even work.  Everyone’s body, and thus, everyone’s body chemistry, is different.  And different brands of pill will affect people differently.  Some will have differing abilities, and some will work better than others.  There is a newer drug on the market, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, that is the only pill clinically proven to reduce acne (in addition to other benefits of the pill.)  You should ask your doctor if it’s right for you.

The birth control pill can be useful in fighting acne that’s caused by a hormonal imbalance.  If you are willing to accept the risks, consult with your gynecologist, and see if it’s right for you.