Birth Control And Acne?!

Dec 27, 2012

Hannah C.

As most of the other ladies have said BC regulates your hormones so if you are having problems with hormonal acne then it might be worth it. I started due to menstrual cramps but I did notice a good improvement in my skin (except on the pills I'm on now but that's a different story). Don't be worried about your doctor it is what they are there for. They may also have a different solution for you if you don't want to take that step yet. And you don't need to be sexually active and it will have no effect on your fertility later in life. Good Luck xx 

Dec 27, 2012

Alice H.

@Marilyn It doesn't matter if you're sexually active or not. Birth control regulates your hormones, so if your acne is hormonal, it could help. But it kind of depends on what formulation you're using. There are different types of oral birth control that have different amounts of estrogen and progesterone. Talk to your doctor about your concerns and questions, they would have more information for you about what the best steps would be.

Dec 28, 2012

Catey P.

Asking the internet is a good place to start, but the only person who can give you correct information is your doctor. I hear a lot of myths and urban legends in this forum, and your doctor can sort that out for you. It helps some women who have hormonal acne. If your acne is generally around your jaw and cheeks, it's probably internal factors like hormones and diet, while T-Zone acne is more likely caused by products and excess oil (generally). Birth control will only have an affect on acne that's caused by excess androgens (a hormone), which is why it helps some people but not others.

Then again, it depends on the kind of birth control you get. The pill is taken daily, so it really evens things out. But others (which are more effective at preventing pregnancy) like an IUD or Implanon can make acne worse because they are a concentrated dose of hormones. I have the Implanon implant, and although it's making sure I definitely don't get pregnant and I didn't have a period at all for 2.5 years (score!), it's made my acne worse.

(PS: antibiotics stop your birth control from working. I know at least 3 women who got pregnant while on The Pill because they took antibiotics!!! If you're trying to fix your acne by taking both at the same time, you're not doing yourself any favors.)

Dec 28, 2012

Katie J.

You should take Biotin, it's a vitamin b that helps skin nails and hair, If you have cramps put a heating pad on your stomach. Do not go to birth control for helping with acne and cramps it could damage your eggs

Dec 28, 2012

Rebecca S.

Birth control pills do not damage your eggs, but yes antibiotics effect . Ten pounds of water weight sounds really unlikely. Lot of scary sounding urban myths here

Dec 28, 2012

Rebecca S.

Antibiotics effect the pills 

Dec 28, 2012

Anne F.

Okay. I'm on the pill for horrible monster cramps and it works wonders. Give the internet a good look. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE PILL MAKES YOU GAIN WEIGHT! The reason why this myth started is because so many people start taking it in their early teens, a time when people's bodies naturally change and they tend to gain weight. It is also a myth that it affects your ability to have children later. Again there is no evidence for this. It IS true that antibiotics make the pills not work, however any doctor/pharmacist worth their salt knows that and will tell you. It is true that some pills work for some and don't work for others. (Not meaning they won't protect you from pregnancy, meaning they might make you a crazy lady) This is because they are hormonal drugs and that can affect your moods. The first pill I tried made me incredibly depressed, but we discovered this within three weeks, I went off the pill for 4 weeks and then tried another one, which works fine and I've been on it for years. The only times you should be wary of the pill is if you are over 35 and a smoker (now I sound like a commercial). This is because the pill can increase your risk of blood clots, but you generally have to be fairly unhealthy to begin with for this to be an issue. (I am basically summarizing for you the medical label on my pill container.) After I went off the high-estrogen ones (which happened to be yaz which I don't believe is still on the market), I've never had an issue. I personally don't see much of a benefit when it comes to acne, since mine cystic and hormonal and still occurs on that lovely cycle, however my body acne is almost entirely gone. I hope this helps! I'm not a medical professional by any means, but I get annoyed when I see people promoting the fake-sex-ed trash I was taught in Catholic school. =) Good luck!  

Dec 27, 2012

Juliana M.

Okay so I'm 15 and I have bad skin. Pimples to black heads to white heads. I have tried everything from drugstore to high end trying to get rid of them and nothing works. I've head that birth control helps acne. Is that true? And if anyone does which brand to you use?

Dec 27, 2012

Allison W.

Im on it and Ive been on a couple different brands but havent seen a drastic change in my skin at all. I didnt have that bad of skin to begin with though. I dont notice much of the size effects they tell you about like weight loss or gain, control of acne...things like that. It could be just me though. 

Dec 27, 2012

Yesenia P.

I would recommend you speak to your doctor. They can answer any questions you may have =D

Dec 27, 2012

Allison W.

Thats not true because when I first went on it I was active too but it didnt do anything to my skin at all. 

Dec 27, 2012

Zuri F.

acne is due to hormones and birth control can help to balance your hormones, if you want to use it for acne I'd recommend you consult your Dr first 

Dec 27, 2012

Juliana M.

Thanks for the advice! I also have real bad cramps when I get my monthly gift from Mother Nature haha but I was thinking why not shoot 2 birds with one stone. If it doesn't show any difference I don't see why I would have to go threw the trouble of taking it everyday.

Dec 27, 2012

Allison W.

It does help with cramps a little, my friends say it works for their cramps alot, i just have them baddd but i do notice it helps with cramps and heaviness of your period. 

Dec 27, 2012

Juliana M.

I guess it depends on the person.

Dec 27, 2012

Melissa E.

I went on BC to help with acne & crazy I can't get out of bed cramps. It helped with both and it doesn't matter if you're sexually active or not. I wasn't when I first started. It'll only help with hormone related acne. 

Dec 27, 2012

Allison W.

Yea. I would ask your doctor and maybe see what would be best for you. 

Dec 27, 2012

Yasmine K.

I dont know but i guess ur too young to take it maybe it will affect ur ability of getting pregnant later when u want to ... Please ask a doctor first

Dec 27, 2012

Juliana M.

Thanks ladies! I'm just kind of scared talking to my doctor about it. I feel like he's going to judge me or something 

Dec 27, 2012

Sandra R.

dont be scared...i was nervous too but they answer all your questions:)

Dec 27, 2012

Dar H.

Fuck your doctor if he judges you then just punch him in da face, this happens to so many people at this age so you're not alone! 

Dec 27, 2012

Juliana M.

Haha thanks for the confidence boost 

Dec 27, 2012

Rikki P.

If your doctor ever judges you, he's probably going to be one that thinks birth control is only to avoid babies. /eyeroll Hahaha. But yeah, I agree, if he does get judgmental, punch him in the face! Hahahahah. 

Dec 27, 2012

Yesenia P.

I'd your doctor judges you, that is unprofessional. Trust me, you aren't the only female - any age- that has asked about BC. You will be fine =)

Dec 27, 2012

Bridget V.

Birth control works wonders for my skin. I wEnt on accutane, which is a miracle drug, but once I finished that I went on BC and haven't had issues with acne since. I did go off it in my mid 20s and I started to break out again. Went back on BC and it went away!