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

LauraOSU05 · 04-15-2005, 03:01 PM

I have been on Birth Control Pills to "help" my skin and regulate my cycle for over 1 year. I started with Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, and was switched to regular Ortho Tri-Cyclen in January because of horrible cystic acne and mood swings.

Before I started BCPs last year, my skin would always break out really bad along my chin and T-zone the week of my period. Now that I am on OTC, my skin is actually BEAUTIFUL during the week of my period! Then, as soon as I start a new pill pack, my face practically explodes with pimples!

Is this because of the hormones in the pills?? Could it be an initial breakout??

I need to know if I should stick it out for the full 6 months to see results...anyone else have "fluctuating" skin on BCP??

BostonGirl44 · 04-15-2005, 03:33 PM

I was the exact same way when I was on OTC. I would dread the first 2 weeks of my new pack of pills because my face would look horrid. I assume it's the hormones in the pill but I've been off bc so I don't have to deal with that anymore.

LauraOSU05 · 04-15-2005, 03:41 PM

Hi Bostongirl - I agree that it is probably the hormones in the pills too. The week on the placebo pills, there are no hormones going into the body, so once I start a new pack, everything goes crazy!

I am just upset b/c OTC is supposed to help with acne, not make things worse, then better, then worse, then better!!

Are there any other pills on the market that don't cause this fluctuating effect?

BostonGirl44 · 04-15-2005, 05:37 PM

Hi Laura,
It took me a good 8-9 months before my skin started getting better on OTC and then I decided to try Ortho Evra (which was a horrible idea because the cysts came back and much worse than when I was on OTC). It took accutane to get my face back to normal. I would like to go back on bcp but I'm afraid what the hormones might do. I have a friend who used Yasmin and her skin is beautiful. She had moderate breakouts before bcp and she's never had any issues with Yasmin.

SunKissed · 04-15-2005, 07:17 PM

I have been on Ortho Tricyclen Lo also and it makes me break out so bad, especially when starting a new pack during that first week. The week off, when I get my period, my skin is also BEAUTIFUL. Not a pimple at all. lol-so it must be the hormones.

I am off ortho lo now and starting Lo Ovral..anyone have experiences with this pill?