Birth Control pills and acne.... - Page 2

uniquejp · 02-05-2004, 05:24 PM

i'm in good health. i just have acid reflux and i take prilosec for that but everything else seems to be fine. i was thinking about the patch otho-eva but i dont know if thats for acne. i've been using neutrogena and its not working. before the neutrogena i tried philosophy and it made me get acne where i never got before on my forehead and left cheek now I CANT GET RID OF IT!!!!!!! this is just depressing! but i will talk to my dr monday about oth-tricycln.. thanx

latayy26 · 02-05-2004, 05:34 PM

Ortho Tri Cyclen is acually NOT the ONLY pill recognized for acne treatment at all. It's the only one that has been tested and passed by the FDA to improve acne but there are many many other pills that help treat acne the same or even better than Ortho Tri Cyclen. Yasmin is a very popular bcp that helps with acne and I think I have heard much more success from people using Yasmin than Ortho Tri. Personally, Ortho Tri Cyclen didn't work for my face at all and I didn't like how it is tri-phasic (a different amount of hormones each week you take the active pills). Diane-35 is also great for acne but Genn is right about the fact that it has a much higher risk of side effects. Others I have heard for acne are Mircette, Desogen, Ortho Cyclen, and OTC-Lo. There are so many more besides those. If you look around on the internet you can find a chart of the most androgenic bcps (most likely to cause or increase acne) to the least androgenic (most likely to help balance hormones and help acne). Every person responds differently to each pill so it's kind of a trial and error thing sometimes.

Before I ever had skin problems I was put on Alesse bcp which pretty much started my mild acne problem. After a year when I finally realized that a bcp can cause your hormones to freak and give you acne, I decided to change to OTC which didn't do anything like I said. Finally I changed to Yasmin and finally have my clear skin back with an occasional pimple that heals pretty quickly. Good luck and I would just talk to your doctor or derm. and tell them that you would like one that helps with skin but if I had to recommend one and from reading on this board, a lot of people seem to have success with Yasmin.

skimom · 02-05-2004, 05:37 PM

Our doctor thinks my teenager should try OTC since she's been on antibiotics for a long time. I also spend a ton of money on facials and products and I'm pretty tired of the battle and the expense. Her biggest fear is possible weight gain. My fear is that it would get worse not better.

Personally, I took Ortho Novum many years ago for my severe acne. My face cleared almost overnight. I had to stop because of migraines, however. I think it was pretty strong.

Some on this board take a combination of BCP and Aldactone and do well.

elsie9191 · 02-05-2004, 06:47 PM

Absolutely give it a try! I am 99.9% clear no matter what time of the month it is. It took around 3 months and the first month I broke out pretty bad, but it is the only thing that worked for me and my sister. We both had moderate acne that was worse before our periods and by the time I started to clear, it was time to break out all over again. My face was a mess for 6 years. OTC along with Azelex and Plexion (a prescription face wash that doesn't dry out my skin which is a major plus) Glytone Daily Lotion as a moisturizer and I am finally clear. No side effects either.

Genn · 02-05-2004, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uniquejp

i'm in good health. i just have acid reflux and i take prilosec for that but everything else seems to be fine. i was thinking about the patch otho-eva but i dont know if thats for acne. i've been using neutrogena and its not working. before the neutrogena i tried philosophy and it made me get acne where i never got before on my forehead and left cheek now I CANT GET RID OF IT!!!!!!! this is just depressing! but i will talk to my dr monday about oth-tricycln.. thanx

I doubt Ortho-evra will help with acne. My sister switched from bcp to the patch and her skin went crazy! After about 3 months she switched back to bcp, and her skin calmed down again. In fact a friend of mine who never had acne in her life broke out pretty badly on the patch.

Another birth control to avoid: Depro-Provera! I started this right after my son was born 4 years ago, and I still wonder it this is the real culprit to my adult acne woes! My friend the nurse - was involved in the clinical trials of this - she said that although most Doctors wont state it as a side effect, she has seen a huge correlation between adult acne and Depro-Provera use.

You are doing the right thing to ask around and get a lot of info about the different options before you see your Dr. This way you will be prepared, and wont just let the Dr. make the decision for you!

Good luck!