118 citations,
September 2004 in “Clinics in Dermatology” Hormones, especially androgens, play a big role in acne, but most acne sufferers don't have a hormone disorder. Hormonal treatments, including birth control pills, can be very effective for women whose acne doesn't improve with regular treatments.
83 citations,
December 2012 in “International journal of endocrinology and metabolism/International journal of endocrinology and metabolism.” Oral contraceptives provide various health benefits beyond birth control, including managing menstrual issues, skin conditions, pain, and reducing the risk of certain cancers.
64 citations,
January 1998 in “Drugs” Dienogest combined with ethinylestradiol is a highly effective birth control that improves menstrual symptoms and has manageable side effects.
63 citations,
January 2012 in “The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care” Some birth control pills have a higher risk of blood clots than others.
52 citations,
April 2008 in “Therapeutics and clinical risk management” The birth control combination of ethinylestradiol and drospirenone helps treat symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome.
46 citations,
January 2007 in “The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care” Birth control pills increase the risk of blood clots, especially within the first year and with certain types.
43 citations,
May 1986 in “Clinics in Endocrinology and Metabolism” Cyproterone acetate is effective for treating hirsutism and acne but less so for hair loss, with side effects similar to birth control pills.
42 citations,
February 1985 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Excessive hair growth can be assessed by history, exam, and blood tests, and treated with medication like dexamethasone, birth control pills, and spironolactone.
30 citations,
January 1998 in “Dermatology” Birth control pills and cyproterone acetate can help treat acne in women, especially when linked to hormonal issues.
29 citations,
March 2017 in “International Journal of Women's Dermatology” Hormone therapies like birth control pills and spironolactone are safe and effective for treating women's adult acne.
25 citations,
December 2017 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” Birth control pills combined with bicalutamide are more effective at reducing excessive hair growth in women with PCOS than birth control pills alone.
25 citations,
August 1989 in “Seminars in reproductive medicine” Birth control pills are effective for treating women with too much male hormone.
22 citations,
January 2002 in “Treatments in endocrinology” Birth control pills help treat skin and hair growth problems linked to high male hormone levels.
16 citations,
July 2002 in “JOGC/Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada” Birth control pills can help reduce mild to moderate acne in women.
7 citations,
August 2020 in “Health and Quality of Life Outcomes” Birth control pills containing cyproterone acetate improve the quality of life more for women with polycystic ovary syndrome after 6 months of use.
7 citations,
August 2019 in “Journal of Ovarian Research” Blood removal and birth control pills both helped with hormone levels in women with PCOS, but birth control was better for regular periods and blood removal had fewer side effects.
5 citations,
January 2014 in “Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii” Hormonal treatments like birth control pills can improve acne in women with excess hair growth and hormone imbalances.
3 citations,
January 2018 in “Reproduction, Fertility and Development” Birth control pills increase certain receptor activities in female gerbil prostate glands and can lead to prostate changes.
3 citations,
February 2002 in “The American journal of psychiatry” Stopping birth control pills may have triggered a manic episode in a woman with HAIR-AN syndrome.
3 citations,
January 1985 in “PubMed” Hormonal birth control can cause skin issues, but low-dose options and those with antiandrogens may reduce these effects.
2 citations,
February 2023 in “BMC women's health” Birth control pills change the activity of certain inflammation and blood clotting genes in women with PCOS.
2 citations,
July 2012 in “Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology” A 12-year-old girl with very high testosterone and insulin resistance improved with birth control pills, suggesting PCOS can cause high testosterone without tumors.
2 citations,
August 1987 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology” Birth control pills can cause skin issues but may help with acne and hirsutism, and choosing the right type can minimize side effects.
1 citations,
April 2021 in “Undergraduate Research in Natural and Clinical Science and Technology (URNCST) Journal” PCOS can harm heart health by increasing risks like high blood pressure and diabetes, but treatments like birth control and lifestyle changes can help.
1 citations,
August 2013 in “Springer eBooks” Birth control pills and anti-androgen medications help manage hair growth, acne, and hair loss in women with PCOS.
1 citations,
March 2012 in “Journal of pediatric & adolescent gynecology” A young girl with high testosterone was thought to have a tumor but actually had PCOS, which was treated with birth control pills.
1 citations,
November 2011 in “Open access journal of contraception” Birth control pills with low-dose estrogen and antiandrogenic progestins can effectively treat acne.
October 2023 in “Journal of the Endocrine Society” Losing weight and taking birth control pills can greatly improve severe male hormone excess in women with PCOS.
September 2023 in “Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College/Journal Rawalpindi Medical College” Birth control pills with cyproterone acetate and drosperinone can reduce excessive hair growth in women with PCOS, but they may not be right for everyone.
April 2023 in “Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy” Birth control pills and antiandrogens are the most effective medicines for excessive body hair in women, but combining them with other treatments and psychological support is best.