Women: Does this happen to your skin on Birth Control?

[LauraOSU05]

yahgler -

Thanks for your input about OTC vs. Desogen. I might be interested in switching to a monophasic pill because of how badly my skin fluctuates every week as the hormones levels change.

Since I am away at school, I will have to wait until June for another gyno appointment. I am planning on giving OTC a shot until then to see if things get better. My skin is really bad right now, but I think it is due to the fact that I am going to start my period next week, I haven't been eating very healthy, and I am also on my 4th week of Retin-A Micro...perhaps it is an initial breakout.

Crossbow -

You mentioned that birth control pills cleared you up in the past...which ones have you taken? I am just trying to keep informed about all of the possible options out there!

[stasia12]

Originally Posted by SuzyB0731

yasmin was the only BC that made my skin clear up great however.... it eventually started causing severe 24/7 PMS so i had to stop taking it, but it's different for everyone. i've heard though a lot of success w/ yasmin and clearin up acne tho

thats why im afrid to try bcps-my skin clears up right before i get my period beauttifully but is also accompanied by at least one day of total moodiness/crying severe depression-if i had that all the time id go nuts.

[BostonGirl44]

I know this is the acne board, but since we're on the topic of bcps, what has everyone here tried that has not broken them out but doesn't have too many negative side effects? I really don't want to go back on the pill but I'm contemplating it. I was on accutane for 6 months until last September and have had unbelievable results and I don't want anything to ruin that. Thanks!

[Crossbow]

Originally Posted by LauraOSU05

Crossbow -

You mentioned that birth control pills cleared you up in the past...which ones have you taken? I am just trying to keep informed about all of the possible options out there!

Nordette worked for several years, but then spots on my face started drying out so much that they were cracking and bleeding. (I DON'T think this is a common side effect, by the way, so I wouldn't worry about it.) my doctor said it was because Nordette was "too androgenic" and switched me to Loestrin, which then became Microgestin - I'm not sure if the name changed or my insurance changed the brand they cover, but apparently LE and MG are the same thing. I was on those for several years, and they were OK, but lately I've been breaking out a lot more, so I asked to change again and my doctor put me on Lo/Orvral. It's one that's lower in estrogen and higher in progesterone. (I have a hormone imbalance: My body produces plenty of estrogen on its own, but no progesterone.)