Acne Birth Control Treatment
If your hormones cause you to get unsightly acne, there is hope. You might not know that there is a side benefits to regular old birth control - acne relief! Birth control and acne have been studied, and several birth control pills (BCPs) are now approved for the treatment of acne.
The acne - birth control connection has not gone unnoticed by younger women, who find that the dual benefit of keeping their face clear while remaining baby free is perfect for their social life. For women who no longer have such concerns over unexpected pregnancy, BCPs are still a great way to promote clear, healthy skin. The ability to maintain smoothness of both the face and the tummy muscles makes BCPs a great choice for acne management.
Like an unexpected bonus of birth control, acne can completely disappear within weeks of starting the pill. All you have to do is take your daily pill - forget about creams and skin peels. You can’t get a prescription in a shot or patch yet, and only certain types of BCPs are approved for acne prescription so far, so make sure to check in with your OBGYN for a list of options.
For women who belong to certain religious groups or other organizations that object to the pill, alternate types of treatment are available. Hormone stability without contraceptive effects can be obtained by herbal means, such as Chaste Tree Berry. The fact that birth control and acne are connected makes any type of hormone stabilizer a sensible option.
The hormones in the BCPs include varying amounts of estrogen and progestin to combat excess androgens (testosterone levels). The body’s normal reaction to androgens is to produce extra sebum, which causes acne; birth control can prevent this. Once the hormones are balanced, the acne usually disappears.
Even for women who are on birth control, acne may still be a problem. Sometimes the acne has another source, and isn’t hormonal in nature. All avenues have to be explored to pinpoint the actual cause, or any treatment becomes just a shot in the dark.
There are several signs that can let a woman know that she can probably go on birth control and her acne problem will be solved. Since this depends on hormones being the cause, signs to look for include the appearance or worsening of acne shortly before the menstrual cycle begins. Some women also experience a mild acne outbreak at or around the time of ovulation as well.
Determining the real cause of the outbreaks is key to finding the best acne treatment. When hormones are causing acne, birth control is often the easiest way to control it. Living with acne is something no one should have to do, especially when the cure could be so simple as a daily pill!
Birth control and acne prevention may not work the same for everyone; the best acne treatment will involve finding the lowest possible dose that is effective. Even after you start taking birth control, acne may persist for a cycle or two, so give it a chance to work. Of course, if you are even more worried about a belly bump than ones on your face, BCPs may be part of your plan anyway!
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