|
|  |
 | Can birth control pills improve acne or make it worse?
|
|  Almost all birth control pills contain a combination of estrogen and progestin hormones in various combinations. Birth control pills that contain estrogen and progestin hormones with higher androgen (male hormone) activity are more likely to make acne worse. Birth control pills that contain hormones with lower androgen activity are less likely to make acne worse, and may actually help clear it. Birth control pills that may help improve acne include Desogen, Demulen, Brevicon, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Ovcon 35, Ortho Novum 7/7/7 and Nelova 1/35.If you're having trouble with acne, talk to your health care provider about switching to another pill. Sources:
Dickey, R.P. Managing Contraceptive Pill Patients. EMIS Inc., 1998.
Contraceptive Technology. Ardent Media Inc., 1998.
Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach. Appleton & Lange, 1999.
Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts & Comparisons, 2000.
This answer prepared 01/10/2001.
This information reviewed 11/15/2006.
|
| drug interaction
checker
Is it safe to combine
your medicines?
Find out. |
|
|
Copyright © 1999-2008 drugstore.com, inc. All rights reserved. |
