Affects of the Birth Control Pill and Pregnancy on Acne
by Rose Lindy
Although acne can be seen in babies and children, it is typically developed during adolescence because this is the time when hormone levels start to surge. Surging hormone levels trigger the sebaceous glands to go into overdrive and this increased level of oil clogs the glands and can get out. Thus a pimple is formed.
By understanding how hormone levels that are fluctuating can affect oil glands you will be able to more easily understand that birth control pills can cause an acne breakout in women who have never had to deal with acne or have not had acne since they were teens. The reason acne can show up in women who take a birth control pill is because that pill changes hormone levels which can trigger the subaceous glands to product more oil. This can also happen when you become pregnant.
The Birth Control Pill May be Used Control Acne
The other side of the coin is that some women notice a decrease in acne when they are on a birth control pill. This is because different levels of hormones are available with different types of birth control pills. Sometimes women who do suffer from acne may choose to take a birth control pill even if they do not need it for birth control. This is not recommended unless you are healthy, have begun menstruation and are at least 15 years old. Several brands are available that will clear up acne. The one brand that is available and has been specifically approved by the FDA for treating acne is Ortho Tri-cyclen.
Personally I would advise trying all other forms of treatment for acne before choosing to take a birth control pill just for controlling acne. Birth control pills do have side effects and it is always better to choose a non-medicated route before going with medication.
Acne and Pregnancy
There are times with a woman notices an increase or an outbreak of acne when they are pregnant. The reason for this is because of all the hormone changes that take place in the body of a pregnant woman. These changes are necessary to prepare the body for the growth of the baby. There are two main female hormones, progesterone and estrogen. While pregnant the progesterone is the dominant hormone and progesterone causes the sebaceous glands to create more oil than normal which, of course, can plug up the glands and produce acne.
Dealing with acne during pregnancy is easy if you understand that this is a short term thing that will go away once your pregnancy is over. If the acne is really bad and you want to seek treatment, you should go to a dermatologist who is experienced in working with pregnant patients. A good dermatologist will be happy to discuss treatment options that will make you more comfortable without causing any harm to yourself or your baby.
