Question 1

please help docs! is my acne worse because i switched birth control pills?

Accepted Answer

It's possible: There are certain BCPs that will make your acne worse.  There are others that will make it better.  Discuss with your doctor to make sure that you are on the right one for you.

Question 2

i have severe forehead acne, and have tried a number of thing suggested by both doctors and naturapath's. i have been prescribed the birth control pill which helped however, i can no longer use due to severe migrians. i have tried duac acne cream as a sho

Accepted Answer

Combo Therapy: I would step your therapy up to a retin a (tretinoin) product to exfoliate the skin, in combination with an oral antibiotic to control the bacteria that contribute to acne, such as minocycline or doxycycline.   I have seen great success with these two in combination, and this should not exacerbate your migraines!

Question 3

i've heard birth control pills (at least some of them) help against acne. but is it true that when you get off them your acne comes back (and worse)?

Accepted Answer

Sunlight: Try sunlight first, benzoyl peroxide cream second.  Birth control pills are for birth control (really!)  the risks are too high (blood clots).

Question 4

hx cystic acne on face. well controlled with birth control pills, but comes back if i go off/switch types. any other tx options if planning pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Blue light: If your dermatologist has a blue light in his office this can be used to treat acne even in pregnant women.

Question 5

if you have polycystic ovaries ultrasound (but no other signs such as obesity, acne etc), will it make it worse if not taking birth control pill?

Accepted Answer

Not worse: Birth control pills can be used to regulate the cycles in people who have PCOS who are not cycling regularly. Not taking them will not make PCOS but the cycles will still be irregular,

Question 6

how long does it take for birth control pills to clear acne?

Accepted Answer

Variable: Some people the pill after a few months helps with acne, but in others it has little effect.

Question 7

how long does it take yaz (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol) (birth control pill) to help clear acne?

Accepted Answer

Give it time: I usually advise patients to give "the pill" at least 3 cycles to determine if they will experience clearing of acne.  Continue to use topical acne solutions AND take some before and after pictures of your skin to convince yourself that things are better or worse.  If you do not experience at least some resolution of acne symptoms discuss with your doctor.

Question 8

can nuvaring be used to effectively treat acne or does the birth control need to be in pill form because of differences in doses, etc.?

Accepted Answer

Nuvaring: In some women wearing the nuvaring has helped their acne, but in other women it has caused acne.

Question 9

what birth control pills wont cause acne or make me gain weight?

Accepted Answer

Depends: All birth control pills lower the male hormones that are linked to acne.  However, the progestin in some pills are made from male hormones.  I think a good place to start is a pill called natazia (estradiol valerate and dienogest).  Hope this helps.

Question 10

changing birth control pill use due to acne. can you tell me what to use?

Accepted Answer

Many option: There may be several good options for you to use as an alternative to your curent method of contraception.  It would be important to know your medical history, your future goals pertaining to fertility, and what you have used in the past.  Your doctor can review these things with you and help you make a good decision.

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Doctor answers about:

If my acne got worse in three months on a brith control pill do i need to wait longer to switch pills

A member asked:

Please help docs! is my acne worse because i switched birth control pills?

A member asked:

I have severe forehead acne, and have tried a number of thing suggested by both doctors and naturapath's. i have been prescribed the birth control pill which helped however, i can no longer use due to severe migrians. i have tried duac acne cream as a sho

A member asked:

I've heard birth control pills (at least some of them) help against acne. but is it true that when you get off them your acne comes back (and worse)?

A member asked:

Hx cystic acne on face. well controlled with birth control pills, but comes back if i go off/switch types. any other tx options if planning pregnancy?

A member asked:

If you have polycystic ovaries ultrasound (but no other signs such as obesity, acne etc), will it make it worse if not taking birth control pill?

A member asked:

How long does it take for birth control pills to clear acne?

A member asked:

How long does it take yaz (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol) (birth control pill) to help clear acne?

A member asked:

Can nuvaring be used to effectively treat acne or does the birth control need to be in pill form because of differences in doses, etc.?

A member asked:

What birth control pills wont cause acne or make me gain weight?

A member asked:

Changing birth control pill use due to acne. can you tell me what to use?

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