Does Birth Control Help or Hurt Acne? Experts Explain
saumya gaur 
Image: Shutterstock
Do you suffer from persistent pimples or acne? Have you tried every possible over-the-counter medication and topical treatment and yet failed to get rid of them? If you answered yes to these questions, then you might be relieved to know that you are not alone in this.
Acne is a very commonly occurring skin ailment, so much so that according to the American Academy Of Dermatology, about 50 million people in the United States of America are affected by it, annually (1). And that’s not all, about 9.4 percent of the world’s population is also found to be affected by it (2).
What Is Acne?
Those persistent pimples that make you self-conscious, and make you feel afraid to look at yourself in the mirror are actually caused by a very natural process that takes place in our body. Our skin has a few glands called the sebaceous glands which secrete an oil called sebum. Sebum keeps our skin from drying out (3). It sometimes happens that the hair follicles present on the skin get blocked by this sebum and accumulate dead skin cells. This results in acne.
Pimples are just one form in which acne manifests itself; whiteheads and blackheads being the other common manifestations of acne. These usually occur on the face, upper back, forehead, chest, and shoulders (4). While the pimples and pustules may disappear with time, they sometimes leave behind scars that can last a lifetime, acting as prominent reminders of the disease.
The effects of acne are not only physiological, but they are psychological as well. In a study conducted online in a number of countries such as USA, Japan, Brazil, etc., it was found that people with acne scars are not only considered to be less attractive, they were also perceived to be less happy, less healthy and even less successful (5).
Usually, the onset of acne begins with puberty and it’s more common in teenagers. However, people across all age groups and genders are found to suffer from it. For women who suffer from acne, it can sometimes lead to social embarrassment, anxiety and it can even mar their chances of employment in certain industries such as the beauty industry. Although we are against the beauty standards that are floating around since time immemorial, we cannot turn a blind eye to it. So, it would be safe to say that acne is not just a cosmetic problem and requires a much more empathetic approach.
How Can Birth Control Help In Acne?
Women who are in the prime of their health and in need of contraception are often advised to use birth control pills for treating acne. However, this is done only after all other treatments such as topical creams, face washes and antibiotics have failed to get the desired result.
Our body produces a type of hormone called androgens. It is these androgens that stimulate the skin to secrete sebum. A woman’s ovaries and adrenal glands secrete less amount of androgens, however, if it is on the higher side it can lead to excess sebum which in turn can cause acne. Birth control pills contain the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, which when used in right formulation can suppress the production of androgens in the body thereby giving you relief from persistent acne.
However, not all birth control pills have the same effect. If you are looking to use birth control for the purpose of treating acne look for the combination pills. Those are the ones that have both estrogen and progesterone. Birth control pills that only have progesterone actually end up exacerbating the problem of acne (6).
Should You Take Birth Control To Help With Acne?
Generally, women who are at least 14–15 years of age, have begun menstruating and are in need of contraception. If you fit these criteria, you can go for birth control to treat your acne, however, do so only after consulting with your gynecologist. Initially, you will find that your acne has flared up, but don’t worry it’s quite common. It will take a few months, but it will clear up eventually.
However, women who take oral contraceptives also have a higher risk of suffering from hypertension, heart attacks, and several forms of cancer such as endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and even liver cancer (7). Therefore, women who have a family history of these diseases shouldn’t use birth control pills. Also, if you are pregnant, or are a smoker or severely obese, you should refrain from using the pills as it is likely to endanger your health.
So, it turns out that birth control does help acne, however, you are advised to start using them only after you have consulted with the doctor to know if it’s suitable for your physiology and it won’t jeopardize your health. In the meantime, you can also try making some lifestyle changes such as drinking more water, exercising, exfoliating your skin, and including more Omega-3 fatty acids in your diet (8). They are also found to help with the issue of acne.
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our vibrant community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with like-minded individuals.
