Treatments Treatment Options Contraceptive Pills
TREATMENT OPTIONS | CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS The Pill and Acne
Does your acne seem resistant to treatment? If you’re female, the source might be excessive production of hormones called androgens. With extra androgens in your system, your oil-producing glands go into high gear and so does your acne.
Extra androgen production is one of several possible root causes of treatment-resistant acne and your doctor can help you figure out if it’s the reason you can’t control your acne. Several clues can help your doctor identify acne that may be influenced by hormones:
*Acne that appears for the first time when you’re an adult
*Acne flare-ups exclusively preceding your menstrual cycle
*Irregular menstrual cycles
*Hirsutism (a medical term for excessive growth of hair or hair in unusual places)
*Elevated levels of androgens in your blood stream
If any or all of the above apply, you might be a good candidate for hormonal therapy. This can include specific treatment regimens, drugs (such as birth control pills) that affect hormones, or a combination of both.
Remember to consult your doctor before using any of the remedies listed here.
Oral contraceptive pills
Birth control pills (a combination of estrogen and progestin taken orally) are often prescribed for hormonal acne. Low doses of estrogen help suppress the androgens produced by your ovaries. The newer progestin agents, including desogestrel and norgestimate, are less androgenic than those found in older formulations. That’s good news for you. Discuss with your doctor the significance of these newer solutions.
While only Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Estrostep are currently approved by the FDA as acne pills, experts agree that low-dose contraceptives improve acne regardless of which formula is used. Consult your gynecologist to find the formula that’s right for you.
Side effects are generally uncommon, although some women experience brownish blotches, or melasma (hyperpigmentation) on the skin. These can be treated with topical bleaching agents.
Anti-androgens
In combination with oral contraceptives, your doctor might prescribe an anti-androgen. As the name indicates, these drugs inhibit androgen production in your ovaries and adrenal glands. They help prevent existing androgens from causing excessive oil production. Spironolactone, a high blood pressure medicine with anti-androgenic properties, has proven quite effective at fighting acne.
Side effects may include breast tenderness, menstrual irregularities (if you’re not using oral contraceptive pills), headache and fatigue. Since Spironolactone is also a diuretic, you may experience frequent urination as well.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW: Spironolactone is teratogenic, meaning it can disturb the growth and development of an unborn baby and can cause feminization of a male fetus. If you are sexually active and not taking “the pill,” it’s imperative that you use another form of birth control.
Corticosteroids
Small doses of corticosteroids, like prednisone or dexamethasone, may curb inflammation and suppress the androgens produced by the adrenal glands. These are most effective when used in combination with oral contraceptive pills. As far as side effects, some acne sufferers have found corticosteroids actually aggravate their acne
Incoming search terms for the article:
Similar articles
- Hormonal Acne Treatment – Hormonal Acne Cures
Oral Medications For Hormonal Acne Treatment Contrary to popular belief, adulthood does not guarantee an individual’s immunity from acne, especially hormonal acne. This skin disease, which is prompted by the hormones called androgens, although is more apparent in teens, is also reported to occur in adults. The said condition happens when the androgens activate the
... - Spironolactone and cyproterone acetate
Spironolactone What it is: Women who experience acne tend to have higher levels of androgens (male sex hormones). Spironolactone is an androgen receptor blocker. In other words, it prevents the cells of the body from interacting with androgens. Less androgens typically means less acne. Spironolactone is taken in pill form and can be used
... - Acne Treatments
Oral contraceptives, also known as birth control pills, can effectively treat acne in some women. For years doctors have used oral contraceptives off-label as acne treatments. Today, a handful of oral contraceptives are also FDA approved as acne treatments. They include: Ortho Tri-Cyclen Estrostep YAZ Oral contraceptives are not used as a first line of
... - Hormone Therapy for Women with Acne
Skin Disorders By Sun – 2007-02-01 More frequently women are combating acne and wrinkles simultaneously. Its a hideous fight wrought with mysterious hormone signals and an even more baffling search for a cure. More frequently women are combating acne and wrinkles simultaneously. Its a hideous fight wrought with mysterious hormone signals and an even
... - Using Birth Control Pills For Acne Control
Using Birth-Control Pills for Acne Control By Cindy English The use of birth-control pills to control acne flare-ups may or may not be effective. Usually, the first signs of acne develop during adolescence, when hormone levels begin to rise. When hormone levels surge, the sebaceous glands located at the base of
...