drugstore.com
pharmacymedicine cabinethome medicaloral carehair careskin caremakeup & accessoriesGNCdiet & fitnesstoys & gamescouponssale & clearance
green & naturalmen'spersonal carehousehold & petsholidaybaby & momfood & gourmetvitaminssexual well-beingcontact lensesBeauty.com
:
new prescriptions
log in to view prescription items
view new prescription cart

how our pharmacy works
our pharmacy advantage
sign up now for our free health newsletter

pharmacy directory


pharmacy resource center



ask your pharmacist

back to: pharmacy | ask your pharmacist

Can birth control pills improve acne or make it worse?

Can birth control pills improve acne or make it worse?


answer for '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 and Comparisons, 2000.

This answer prepared 01/10/01.


search our archive


 
Example: Arthritis
Ask your pharmacist
Can't find your answer? Just ask your pharmacist at drugstore.com.

drug interaction
checker
Is it safe to combine
your medicines?
Find out.


  VIPPS
  Questions? Please visit our site help pages for information about our site and our policies.
  about our prices

Can't remember where you saw something?

Try these recently viewed areas:
Recently viewed products:
Vicks Nyquil
Cold and Flu Multi-Symptom Relief, Original Flavor
Vicks Nyquil Cold and Flu Multi-Symptom Relief, Original Flavor
regularly:$7.49
our price:$6.49 Buy Vicks Nyquil Cold and Flu Multi-Symptom Relief, Original Flavor
save 13% ($1.00)
 
Nature's Cure
Two-Part Body Acne Treatment System for Males and Females
Nature's Cure Two-Part Body Acne Treatment System for Males and Females
suggested:$10.99
our price:$9.99 Buy Nature's Cure Two-Part Body Acne Treatment System for Males and Females
save 9% ($1.00)
 
Zicam
Extreme Congestion Relief
Zicam Extreme Congestion Relief
suggested:$12.99
our price:$10.99 Buy Zicam Extreme Congestion Relief
save 15% ($2.00)
click here to clear recently viewed areas
Paypal Google CheckoutBill Me Later
Disclaimer
Copyright © 1999-2009 drugstore.com, inc. All rights reserved.