Birth Control Acne
One of the methods to cure acne is by taking birth control pills. Although not all acne patients may agree, especially males, birth control acne pills may prove to be effective.
Birth control acne pills work by changing hormonal activities in the patient's body. Birth control pills have two active hormone ingredients- estrogen and progesterone- which are both naturally occurring in women.
The cause of acne is due to the fluctuating and/or high levels of testosterone that are naturally occurring on both males and females. Birth control acne pills can neutralize the level of testosterone since their ingredients are female hormones.
High or erratic testosterone levels can cause the formation of sebaceous glands in the skin. By neutralizing the testosterone hormone, these glands may return to their normal conditions, thus, preventing too much acne to form.
Advantages of using birth control acne pills
- Cost-effectiveness – This particularly works well for females since birth control pills are primarily aimed on preventing pregnancy. Pills are a lot cheaper than other methods of ridding acne such as laser treatments or surgery.
- Convenience – For women who are always on the go with an active sex life, and have hectic lifestyles, using birth control acne pills is like hitting two birds with one stone. Taking a pill daily for two essential reasons is a breeze.
Disadvantages
- Side-effects – It is important to understand that birth control acne pills are hormone-based medications that may alter the hormonal levels of your body. And of course, there are side-effects to this type of medication.
Birth control acne pills may have slight to worse side-effects, depending on the person and his/her reactions to certain medications. Taking birth control acne pills should start initially by consulting with a medical practitioner to address all possible health risks.
Fatigue, headaches and abdominal pains are the most common side-effects of birth control acne pills.
- Age issues – It is only advisable to take birth control acne pills if you are old enough or more than 18 years of age. As much as possible, teenagers are discouraged to take birth control acne pills to prevent yeast infection and other side-effects. Consult with your doctor to have an appropriate acne treatment if you or your child is younger than 18.
- Worsening of acne – There are acne patients who do not respond to birth control acne pills. Some patients may even encounter worse acne problems after taking birth control acne pills. If this happens, stop taking the pill immediately and go to the nearest clinic or hospital.
- Medical and health risks – Birth control acne pills are contraceptives and they are not really manufactured for acne problems. However, since acne is mainly hormonal, pills are just alternative methods of treating them due to their hormonal ingredients.
However, there may be other health conditions that need treatment first and should be considered prior to taking birth control acne pills. The risk of cancer and female reproductive diseases should be taken into consideration when you plan on taking birth control pills. This can be discussed with your doctor especially if you have a family history of these conditions.
If you are taking other medications, make sure that your doctor knows about it. Medicines can have chemical reactions that are difficult to revert and can worsen your acne.
Birth control acne treatment may help solve your problems with acne. But it is essential to have a consultation in order for you and your doctor to address certain health and risk issues.
If you are suitable to take birth control acne pills, make sure you take it according to your doctor’s prescription and recommendation.
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Understanding Birth Control Acne Recommended Resources:
Professional Medicines
University of Michigan
