Is birth control tablet safe for acne treatment?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 20-year-old female. I am currently taking the birth control pill Dianette for my moderate acne. I am only on day five, but have read many worrying effects about this pill, such as blood clots, excessive weight gain, and cancer risk.

I was wondering if these health claims are all true and whether it is worth taking the pill for acne, or if I should be asking my GP for something else.

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I went through your post.

You are taking Cyproterone and Ethinylestradiol, which is used in severe acne that is not responding to other treatments. The side effects you mentioned occur rarely and in the high-risk group of people with a family history of breast cancer, obesity, or past history of clots in the leg.

I do not think that a short course of this medicine will cause any side effects in just a few months.

So, relax, and you need not worry.

Thank you.