Birth Control Pills Control Acne

Proactiv is sometimes used to treat acne in women. It can provide tremendous results in clearing skin for those who have acne cause by increased hormonal levels, particularly the male hormone testosterone.

Women and Acne

Many women with acne are suffering due to an increased level of androgens in the bloodstream. The androgens stimulate the sebaceous glands that produce sebum, resulting in production of too much oil. This oil then clogs the pores where bacteria, dirt and dead skin cells become trapped. If bacteria affects these clogged pores, acne results.

Birth control pills contain male and female hormones progesterone and estrogen. This mimics the state of a pregnancy and alters the reproductive cycle. The pill will also reduce testosterone levels and the amount of sebum in the skin. Some of the most commonly prescribed oral contraceptives used to treat acne include YAZ, Ortho Tri Cyclen and Estrostep.

Clearing Acne with Birth Control Pills

Not all birth control pills are designed to treat acne. Some oral contraceptives can actually make the condition worse. This is information known to your doctor so you can avoid the use of such a product.

Once you begin taking a pill to combat acne, do not expect the results to occur overnight. Treating acne can take time, sometimes as long as three months, before you notice any improvement. It is also possible for the condition to worsen before it gets better. If this happens, do not worry as it is completely normal.

Talk to your Doctor

It is necessary to consult with a physician should you desire using birth control pills to treat acne. He will need to evaluate the situation and determine the right type of pill to prescribe to you. Keep in mind the pills are usually prescribed only when other forms of treatments have failed. There may be side effects associated with the use of birth control pills for acne, which can be mild or severe. The doctor can help you learn all of the possible side effects and determine if this is the right type of treatment for your condition.

Could you find Relief?

Some people can greatly benefit from the use of oral contraceptives to treat acne while others will not find anything beneficial from them. Again, this is something that only your doctor can device. If you are interested in treating acne with oral contraceptives you should schedule an appointment with your doctor at once.