How does the birth control pill work for acne?
Increased oil production is a common problem for women if they have excess androgen production. This production can be highest just before menstruation starts. It appears that low-dosage birth control pills can decrease the presence of excess androgen, thereby decreasing breakouts and alleviating an acne problem. They work particularly well when used in conjunction with other therapies such as topical antibacterial agents or tretinoins. For many women this is no surprise, because many have noticed an improvement in their skin after they started taking birth control pills. According to a double blind, placebo-controlled study published in Fertility and Sterility, low-dose birth control pills can be an effective and safe treatment for moderate acne. The clinical trial found that the birth-control pill containing levonorgestrel actually reduced the appearance of acne. Low-dose oral contraceptives also result in a low occurrence of estrogen-related side effects such as nausea, headaches, a
