Birth Control Pills and Acne: How hormones act to improve skin

Birth control pills and Acne: How hormones act to improve skin
The combined contraceptive pills usually improve acne. Its main mode of action is to increase blood a substance called Sex Hormone Binding Globulin.

Acne is an inflammatory skin disease that affects up to 80% of young people between 20 and 30 years, although it can also occur in adults.

The obstetrician-gynecologist Ernesto Pizarro explains that acne can occur by an abnormal response of the body to normal levels of the male hormone testosterone (also present in women, although at lower levels). It is also common in women with hyperandrogenism, ie with high androgen levels. (Another typically male hormone, but women present in smaller amounts).

"In this last condition of hyperandrogenism, the most common clinical picture is called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Studies have shown that 92% of women with hirsutism (increased hair and acne) will be diagnosed with PCOS in sonography, and that 83% of women with acne have an ultrasound SOP.

As for the acne itself, other studies have reported that 85% of people aged between 12 and 25 years will have some form of acne, "says Dr. Pizarro.
The role of contraceptives

Birth control pills usually improve acne. As indicated by the professional, the principal mode of action of combination contraceptives (ie, an estrogen plus progestin), is increased in the blood a substance called Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG).

"By increasing this globulin in the blood a serial process that somehow inactivate androgens, which are hormones that promote the development of acne generated" he explains.

In the specific case of PCOS acné- which is usually associated with this type of contraceptives (estrogen plus progestin) also inhibit elevated androgen production occurs in women with this condition.

"Some hormonal contraceptive combinations-some more than others-also act at the level of the skin itself, reducing the activity of an enzyme called 5 alpha reductase, which has an androgenic action, favoring the development of acne.
Duration of acne treatment with contraceptives

Contraceptive therapy to assist the acne problem depend on the severity and duration. "In general, favorable results are observed from the first 3 months of treatment. In the "transitional" teenage acne, treatment times are short or medium, but not when there are clinical conditions associated hyper-androgyny, as is the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, in which the treatments are usually longer term, "he says.
What contraceptive should be taken?

He points out that for the treatment of acne, contraceptive of choice to be used are combined hormone. Combined are called because they are made of an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and a progestogen.

Add to progestogen-only contraceptives in some cases can increase acne and activity of the sebaceous glands. "The combination of relatively high doses of estrogen (35 ug) with cyproterone acetate progestin hormone products generally have excellent results for acne". Optimally be used for seasons to avoid some possible negative consequences, such as breast pain and water retention, which may have a few women.
Therefore, sums, should be preferred progestin contraceptives with older having antiandrogenic properties, since this is different in each. "In the last few years have been used quite successfully contraceptives containing the progestin drospirenone, which also has the property of inhibiting androgen.

* Do not treat yourself, always see your doctor or midwife before taking this or any other anticonceptiv

lls and Acne: How hormones act to improve skin