Birth Control Pills, and their effects on acne

 

The idea that birth control pills can help treat acne has been around for a long time. Many people, when asked if birth control pills can actually cure acne would probably say they have heard that it does but they are not sure. The answer is in fact yes. Birth control pills do help alleviate acne problems. In order to understand how birth control pills help get rid of acne, it would be necessary to first know the nature of acne problems.

Acne is basically caused by bacteria that build up in pores that are blocked by dirt and oil. This causes the pores to swell up. Further irritation may cause the acne to redden. Some theories also assert that several factors induce acne. The most common factors are believed to be stress, heredity, and hormones. Hormones play an especially significant role for teenagers and women in their 20s and 30s. These are the periods in their lives where hormonal changes at are their peak. When hormones go crazy, acne breaks out.

This is where birth control pills come in. They usually contain two synthetic hormones – progesterone and estrogen. These hormones are also produced by the ovaries. They prevent pregnancy by not allowing ovulation. Progesterone also aids in hampering the sperm's journey to reach the egg by thickening the uterus lining. But how does the pill actually treat acne? By regaining and maintaining a hormonal balance. The first ever FDA-approved pill for acne treatment, Ortho tri-cyclen, does this by reducing the amount of hormones responsible for acne outbreaks. Their studies show evidence that this particular pill has results comparable to results obtained from other medication like antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide.

Results are not immediate however. You may have to wait for several months before you see your acne problem disappearing. It is also better to use the newer type of pills that are called low-dose pills. These have lower amounts of hormones in them as compared to the older generation pills. Due to the high doses of hormones in the older ones, your acne may actually get worse.