Is Acne a Birth Control Pills?

Acne or pimples is the most common skin problem encountered mostly by teenage girls. Depending on how severe the acne is, the dermatologist may prescribe certain medications to treat it. These medications can range from antibiotics, prescription creams, gels and birth control pills.
Side Effect of Birth Control
However, there are some who are asking is acne a side effect of birth control pills, the answer is actually on the contrary. There are more evidences now to show that birth control pills can actually help clear up the acne of some teenage ladies. There’s a strong relationship between birth control pills and acne, as both are based on the hormonal levels of the female body. Birth control pills work by stabilizing the irregular hormone levels that results to the development of acne. Each person however is different, that’s why dermatologists try which medication will work best for each patient.
Birth Contol Side Effects
Oral contraceptives or commonly referred as birth control pills are little tablets that is taken daily. They are usually made of synthetic estrogen and progestin, female hormones that are naturally produced in the ovary. These hormones contained in the pills are the ones responsible for suppressing the pituitary gland to stop ovulation or formation and release of the egg thus preventing pregnancy. The hormone progestin also changes the uterine lining and helps prevent the sperm cells from getting into the egg.
Birth Control Brands List
Oral contraceptives help clear away acne mainly by reducing the male hormone androgen in the system. This hormone is also responsible in some degree for the development of acne. Studies show that girls with acne have seen to have increased levels of androgen in their body. Birth control pill helps lower the levels of androgen in the body by preventing the adrenal gland and ovaries to produce this hormone. Oral contraceptives do this by increasing the levels of sex hormone-binding globulins or SHBG, which in turn prevents the conversion of testosterone into DHT or dihydrotestosterone, thereby reducing the overall DHT levels in the body. Most of the birth control pills available today may have different components, making their effects on acne differ from each other. So it’s important that you consult with your dermatologists before taking any of these oral contraceptives for your acne.

So even though the answer for the question “is acne a side effect of birth control pills?” is no, birth control pills still do have some other side effects. Several side effects of oral contraceptive intake include mood changes, breakthrough bleeding, weight gain, dizziness, nausea, tenderness of the breast and lowered libido. Aside from these, there are also other serious side effects such as heart problems, blood clots and certain cancer. So it’s important that you have a regular check up with your doctor.