Sometimes, topical creams and antibiotics may not work in some individuals’ acne condition. In this case, the best birth control for acne is often prescribed for acne treatment. Though different contraceptives are now available in the market, only few are approved, proven, and recommended for acne treatment. This is because most of the contraceptives in the market only contain progesterone that makes acne flare-up worse.
Benefits of Taking Birth Control for Acne
Here are some of the benefits of oral contraceptives that some clinical trials have proven.
- Decreased acne break-outs
- Lesser pimples
- Less inflammation
- Less risk for severe acne development
Kinds of Best Birth Control for Acne
There are many over the counter oral contraceptives in the market that you can choose from, but as of the moment only three types have been approved by the FDA in acne control treatment and these are:
- Ortho Tri-Cyclen
This type of contraceptive is a combination of estrogen and a progestin known as norgestimate. This pill is available in different doses of the synthetic or manmade form of progesterone called progestin.
- Estrostep
This is a contraceptive that uses a combination of estrogen and a progestin named norethindrone. Unlike Ortho Tri-Cyclen, this one is made available according to different doses of estrogen.
- YAZ
This type of contraceptive is made from the combination of estrogen and a progestin called drospirenone. This type of birth control pill, along with other brands that also contain drospirenone, was declared by the FDA to have increased risk of blood clot compared to other types of pills that contain other forms of progestins.
Before taking any oral contraceptives, make sure to talk to your doctor about your health history and age, and know if there are possible health risks in taking the contraceptive.
Possible Side Effects
Aside from aiming to get rid of acne completely, it’s important to know what to expect during the duration of the treatment. With enough knowledge, you can prepare yourself for the things to come, and take necessary precautionary measures before it happens or get worse.
Here are possible side effects that one may or may not experience while taking birth control that helps acne healing.
- Headache
- Change in menstrual flow
- Tenderness of the breast
- Slightly increased risk of heart disease
- Slightly increased risk of high blood pressure and blood clots
Warning!
Don’t take birth control pills as acne medication if you:
- Have given birth less than a month ago
- Are trying to get pregnant
- Are pregnant
- Have high blood pressure
- Have diabetes
- Have liver disease
- Have a history of heart disease
- Have vascular disease
- A history of breast, uterine, or liver cancer
- Haven’t reached puberty yet
- Suffer from migraines
- Have history of blood clots
- Are over 35
- Are obese
- Smoke
To those who ask does birth control help acne treatment? Well the answer is yes; it does help prevent acne from getting worse and from recurring by getting at the root cause of it. Furthermore, aside from taking the best birth control for acne, making changes in lifestyle and diet that is rich in foods that help acne prevention can also be of great help.