Use of Oral Contraceptives for Management of Acne Vulgaris: Practical Considerations in Real World Practice

Julie C Harper

doi:10.1016/j.det.2015.11.005

Use of Oral Contraceptives for Management of Acne Vulgaris: Practical Considerations in Real World Practice

Dermatol Clin. 2016 Apr;34(2):159-65. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2015.11.005.

Author

Julie C Harper¹

Affiliation

¹ The Dermatology and Skin Care Center of Birmingham, 2470 Rocky Ridge Road, Birmingham, AL 35243, USA. Electronic address: juharper@yahoo.com.

PMID: 27015775
DOI: 10.1016/j.det.2015.11.005

Abstract

Acne vulgaris may be effectively treated with combination oral contraceptive pills (COCs) in women. COCs may be useful in any woman with acne in the absence of known contraindications. When prescribing a COC to a woman who also desires contraception, the risks of the COC are compared with the risks associated with pregnancy. When prescribing a COC to a woman who does not desire contraception, the risks of the COC must be weighed against the risks associated with acne. COCs may take 3 cycles of use to show an effect in acne lesion count reductions.

Keywords: Acne vulgaris; Hormones; Hyperandrogenism; Oral contraceptives.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Acne Vulgaris / drug therapy*
Contraceptives, Oral / administration & dosage*
Disease Management*
Female
Humans

Substances

Contraceptives, Oral