Do some brands of birth control pills make acne worse?
At the current time there is only one brand of birth control pill that has FDA approval to be used to prevent acne (Ortho Tricyclen). Truthfully all estrogen containing oral contraceptives decrease sebum production which in turn usually decreases acne. Many studies have shown up to 70% reduction in acne counts on the face, chest, neck and back. Levonorgestrel containing pills tend to decrease acne less than other progestins in pills but overall there still is a reduction even with the more androgenic progestins. The decrease in acne is directly proportional to the decrease in serum testosterone. The pill does this by increasing sex hormone binding globulin which inactivates some of the circulating testosterone. Some women will develop or have their acne worsen on the pill. In fact acne is is often listed as a side effect of the pills. Studies consistently show about 5% of women develop acne when starting pills. What is the best regimen for taking oral contraceptives? There are several
At the current time there is only one brand of birth control pill that has FDA approval to be used to prevent acne (Ortho Tricyclen®). Truthfully all estrogen containing oral contraceptives decrease sebum production which in turn usually decreases acne. Many studies have shown up to 70% reduction in acne counts on the face, chest, neck and back. Levonorgestrel containing pills tend to decrease acne less than other progestins in pills but overall there still is a reduction even with the more androgenic progestins. The decrease in acne is directly proportional to the decrease in serum testosterone. The pill does this by increasing sex hormone binding globulin which inactivates some of the circulating testosterone. Some women will develop or have their acne worsen on the pill. In fact acne is is often listed as a side effect of the pills. Studies consistently show about 5% of women develop acne when starting pills. What is the best regimen for taking oral contraceptives? There are several
