Birth Control for Acne

Birth control pills, IUDs, implants and shots are widely used today and prescribed often as a means to control acne. Most forms of birth control can have the potential to cause acne and weight gain in those susceptible. Typically birth control is divided up as estrogen or progestin dominant and have varying degrees of androgenic (testosterone like) effects. As a general rule of thumb, those with the potential for higher androgenic symptoms should be avoided for people prone to acne because they promote breakouts. As an acne sufferer it is important to speak with your doctor about selecting a form of birth control that is higher in estrogen and lower in androgen potency.

The most commonly prescribed in this category are:

Brevicon               Necon                            Tri-Nessa

Demulan             Ortho Tricyclen            Tri-Previferm

Femcon                      Ortho-Novum              Tri-Sprintec       Kelnor      Sprintec                                         Zovia

Modicon              Previferm                      MonoNessa   

It is best to avoid the following that are high in androgen activity and low in estrogen:

Alesse                        Kariva                          Nexplanon

Amethyst                 Lessina                        Nordette

Apri                            Levora/Levonest      Norplant

Azurette                    Linessa                       NuvaRing

Caziant                      Loestrin                      Ogestrel

Cryselle                     Lo-Feminol               Ortho Tricyclen Lo

Cyclessa                   Lo-Ogestrel               Ovral

Depo-Provera         Lo-Ovral                    Paragard/Copper IUD*

Desogen                   Lutera                         Portia

Emoquette              Marvelon                    Reclipsen

Estrostep Fe            Microgestin                Seasonale/Seasonique

Implanon                 Mircette                      Sronyx

Jolessa                  Mirena or Skylar IUD   Triphasil/Trivora

Only you and your doctor can determine what form of birth control is right for you. The above is just a basic guideline that should be used to initiate a conversation between you and your physician. If you are considering using birth control, it is important to know that it can be associated with a high risk of blood clots, weight gain, nausea, mood changes, depression and breast tenderness. Serious side effects include strokes, digestive issues and embolism.

Finally, it is entirely possible to treat acne without using birth control. If you have no underlying health issues that require you to be on birth control, and are considering using birth control only to control your acne, please feel free to talk with Christina.  She will give you an  additional perspective on how we can help you with the use of topical products and treatments.

*Although the Paragard/Copper IUD does not contain any hormones, we have observed that it has aggravated acne with our clients. MIT can also cause Zinc deficiency and Copper toxicity.