Does birth control make acne worse before it gets better?

Acne occurs when the pores of our skin become clogged due to excessive oil production by the sebaceous glands. This obstruction gives rise to the formation of bacteria and later postulate, a characteristic sign of this condition.

There are various treatments for this condition to control fat production by the sebaceous glands or to address the hormonal changes that can lead to this condition, and birth control pills are alternatives. Wondering if birth control pills get rid of acne? Does birth control make acne worse before it gets better? Keep reading because, in this article, we clarify it for you.

Does birth control make acne worse before it gets better?

The birth control pills we use to prevent unwanted pregnancies are normally made up of estrogen and progestin, although they can also be made up of only progestin. In addition to preventing ovulation and acting on cervical mucus, making it thicker, birth control pills also help reduce the presence of testosterone in our body, which is why its intake is linked to the reduction of acne.

By decreasing the levels of testosterone in the body, the sebaceous glands will produce less fat and, therefore, the clogging of pores and the formation of postulates will be reduced. However, it is important to make it clear that not all pills have this effect. Therefore the dermatologist or gynecologist must help you choose the appropriate pill for the treatment of this condition.

In addition to reducing androgens, the pills can also treat the increase in the appearance of pimples that occurs with the arrival of menstruation, which appears because just near the coming date of the rule, the male hormones increase, making us more prone to pimples.

What pills are suitable?

As we have mentioned before, not all pills are indicated to fight acne. Depending on the type of progestin that the product contains, acne could improve, this in the case of having antiandrogen compounds, but if the correct composition is not chosen, the pimples could worsen since some progestins increase the presence of hormones such as testosterone. Additionally, contraceptive pills should always be ingested under medical supervision to control possible side effects that may occur.

How long will it take to see the results?

Taking birth control pills for acne will not immediately affect a woman’s body or the appearance of her skin. Regulating hormonal changes in order to improve the presence of acne can take between 3 and 6 months, so it will not be until after at least 3 months that the first changes in the elastic skin will be noticed.

However, a difference will be noticed in the presence of the pimples that usually appear before the rule, so that in this aspect, an improvement will be noticed from the first month. Normally the treatment for acne with contraceptives is combined with other special drugs for this condition. However, in mild cases or hormonal disorders, they can be prescribed independently without using other alternatives.

Causes of acne

To understand the effect that birth control pills can have on acne, it is important to understand the most common reasons this condition occurs. In principle, this pathology is multifactorial, which means that it can originate due to different factors, among which the following stand out:

Hormonal changes

Acne is a common condition, especially in adolescence and pregnancy, two stages characterized by hormonal changes. These types of changes can lead to an increase in androgens. The male sex hormones are made up of testosterone, androsterone, and androstenedione, which are present in both men’s and women’s bodies.

When androgen levels increase, there can be excessive sebum production by the sebaceous glands, which would cause clogging of the pores and subsequent acne.

Genetic factors

Acne is a multifactorial condition where genetic causes are also a component to consider. If one or both parents have suffered from acne, there is a greater probability of suffering from it as well. Although the hereditary link is not yet clear, it is believed that the habits and information contained in the genes will influence the type of acne that will be suffered and the duration of injuries.

Other factors

In addition to hormonal changes and genetic inheritance, other conditions can influence the appearance of acne:

Age, this condition occurs mostly during adolescence. Sex, although acne occurs in both women and men, is stronger in men due to the high presence of androgens in the body of men. A high-fat diet can trigger increased sebum production. Specific conditions such as the use of inappropriate makeup, exposure to oils or greasy environments, humid weather, or certain medications can also promote the appearance of acne.