To take or not to take birth control pills for controlling acne is a very sensitive topic, if not controversial. Is taking birth control pills to control acne right for you? How does birth control pill work on acne? Can hormones in the birth control pill stop acne from forming? At least hundreds of such questions must be rushing in the mind of a woman, who is planning on consuming the pills for these two important purposes! Every pill creates fresh doubts, fears and complications in a woman's mind mainly because research on this subject is still inconclusive and the fear of side-effects hangs prominently in her mind.
Acne is caused by an excess production of sebum. Sebum is an oil made by glands in your skin that help to lubricate the skin and keep it supple. Excess production of sebum can lead to clogged pores and promote the growth of bacteria that contribute to acne.
A woman's ovaries normally produce a low level of androgens which are responsible for producing sebum. High levels of androgens can lead to excess sebum production and acne.Taking birth control pills that contain estrogen and progesterone hormones can lower the amount of androgens in a woman's body resulting in less sebum production and acne.
Many acne prone women have responded positively and have indeed showed marked improvement on their acne, thanks to the intake of birth control pills. However, the results are not instant and it may take up to six months for the skin to show some improvement. Also note that if you stop taking the pills or change your birth control method to a non- hormone based one, the acne is most likely to return usually one to three months after going off the pill. Those who start birth control in their teen years are less likely to suffer a return of acne as their hormones will be in a more regular pattern when they stop taking the pill later in life. The same case happens for acne caused by pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopause.
Different birth controls will have a different levels of 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 different forms of oral contraception, so finding the one that works for you is important.
Though typically safe and effective, birth control pills for acne have various side effects which can include headache, reduced libido, breast tenderness, nausea, weight gain, and spotting.
So would you take birth control pills with the purpose of clearing acne in mind? Make your decision very carefully taking into account the risk factors. And like any other prescription medicine, talk to your doctor before you embark on the pill especially since not all birth control pills work the same .
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