Skin Discolouration and Low Dose Birth Control

One of the more distressing side effects associated with oral contraceptives, even low dose birth control pills, in some women, can be a darkening of the skin on the face called ‘melasma.’ Apart from skin
discolouration, there are no other symptoms so the side effect is mainly cosmetic.

Symptoms

Melasma appears as uniform, brown, symetrical brown patches (same on both sides of your face)  on the forehead,cheeks, nose and upper lip.  If you are a young woman with brownish skin tones you are at a higher risk of being affected by melasma, although 10% of men do get melasma.  It is especially common
in pregnant women (the mask of pregnancy) and women taking birth control pills, or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause. Melasma does not seem to occur with HRT AFTER menopause.

 Hormone and Genetic Connection to Melasma

The sun seems to be a significant risk factor for melasma so if you live in the tropics, your risk is higher.When you expose your skin to the sun, it is thought that the female sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone, stimulate your melanocytes (pigment-producing cells)  to produce more melanin pigments. Hence, women taking synthetic estrogen and progestin, even in low dose birth control pills, are ’supporting’ this reaction in the body.  If you have light brown skin and live in a country were you get intense sun exposure, you are particularly susceptible to developing this condition. Unfortunately, if members of your family are predisposed to this condition, this will be a  major factor in determining whether you will also develop melasma.

 Can I get rid of melasma?

 Melasma often fades over a period of time if you stop taking HRT and low dose birth control pills and limit your sun exposure- but in some cases,  it can last a lifetime. Using a good quality sunscreen is highly recommended, SPF 30 or higher (which also helps to prevent wrinkles and skin cancer) or anything that blocks ultraviolet light and sources of light indoors.  There is a likelihood of melasma returning if you resume taking birth control pills or return to HRT during menopause. Melasma often disappears after
having a baby although it can return with subsequent pregnancies.

 A dermatologist or physician can prescribe creams which do not bleach the skin but decrease the activity of the pigment producing cells.

DO NOT use DIY chemical peels or be tempted to use microdermabrasion at home to get rid of melasma as you could make the skin condition worse.

 Disclaimer: As I have been asked about ‘dark skin patches and the pill’, I have included this post on low dose birth control pills and  melasma  for educational purpose only. The information should be used as encouragement for you to talk to your doctor about your particular case and not as a substitute for treatment. 

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Will Desogen cure my acne?

Do you REALLY know what acne is and WHY the ‘birth control pill’ is prescribed for treating it? Keep using your lotions and creams but do yourself a favour and read about the culprit in the acne war……ANDROGEN…

It is widely known that the contraceptive pill is often prescribed for the treatment of women’s acne and was approved by the FDA in 1997 for this treatment of this condition. However, if you are considering asking your doctor for the popular brand, Desogen , there are some facts you should know, especially if you have certain health problems or inherited medical conditions.

What exactly is Desogen and How does Desogen work in my body?

Desogen is an oral birth control pill that contains a combination of synthetic female hormones to stop an egg being released from a woman’s ovary. If an egg is not released, it cannot be fertilized by a male sperm- so the woman cannot become pregnant. Most women take Desogen to prevent them from falling pregnant but others have found it to be extremely effective for clearing up their acne or significantly reducing breakouts.  Desogen does this by controlling the level of androgen (a male hormone) connected with the production of oil in our skin (from our sebaceous glands).

Why does acne occur and what does it look like?

On the surface of our skin are little ‘breathing holes’ or pores and ‘pockets’ (follicles) out of which each hair grows. The sebaceous gland in each follicle produces oil or sebum. When too much sebum is produced, these glands become blocked and inflamed which results in pimples, ‘zits’ and blackheads – a chronic outbreak is known medically as acne.  In acute cases, these pustules can result in cysts or abscesses that become infected and scar the skin’s surface.  If the production of sebum can be decreased then the acne is usually reduced also.

Why is the amount of oil produced by our sebaceous glands important?

Since the hormone, androgen, controls the release of sebum, it is not surprising that if there is an imbalance in hormone levels, especially during adolescence, then there is going to be an imbalance in the level of sebum produced. Even though contraceptive pills work effectively on acne treatment, they are not ideal for teenagers to take if they are not sexually active (unless they have had a thorough talk to their doctor first).

Desogen and acne is a ‘balancing act’.

Since Desogen affects the level of the androgen hormone within a woman’s body, it follows that every woman’s body will be operating on varying levels of hormone production so, to some degree,  it is trial and error with a contraceptive medication  such as Desogen for controlling the level of sebum produced and therefore controlling the severity of her acne. It is for this reason that Desogen can be extremely effective or in some cases, just not be compatible with the level of androgen being produced in certain women so their acne seems to get worse. Ethinyl etradiol is the synthetic estrogen in contraceptive pills that affects the level of androgen.

The contraceptive pill Desogen resolves acne conditions in many women

Doctors prescribe Desogen specifically for the treatment of acne in woman they consider suitable for this combination of synthetic hormones. Woman who can take Desogen will find that this birth control pill balances their hormones effectively and is the ideal drug for helping them to manage their acne. It should be noted though, that no single treatment for acne, including Desogen, should be relied upon to treat this severe skin condition. A dirty skin, make up and bacteria also aggravate acne so topical products, such as lotions, creams and anti bacterial skin cleansers should be considered for use in conjunction with Desogen.

Always consult your doctor if you wish to try Desogen for your acne treatment and tell him which other medications/topical products you are also using.

As with many medications, however, some women find they do experience various side effects when taking Desogen. Some common side effects include nausea, headaches, slight bleeding, weight gain and possible mood changes. After taking Desogen for three months, many of these effects disappear but you should monitor your body closely and consider a different treatment if they persist or if they worsen.

The clearly documented risks associated with all contraceptive pills  must be noted for Desogen also, whether taken for acne or as  your preferred birth control method. These risks include stroke, blood clotting and breast cancer (although the contraceptive pill has positive benefits in reducing ovarian and uterine cancer)

Smoking is bad for you anyway but the risks of developing heart disease increase if you are on the ‘pill’.

If you do take Desogen to prevent acne, take it as prescribed by your doctor – even if you save money by buying  it on line

Missing a dose of Desogen will not have such a bad effect on your acne but it will affect your risk of getting pregnant.
Check the leaflet that comes with the Desogen pack if you miss a pill and of course, if you are unsure as to whether you can two pills on one day, check with your doctor or medical practitioner. To reduce the anxiety or stress further, it would be wise to use additional contraception at this time.

Desogen is ideal for reducing the painful and embarrassing condition of acne in many women but unfortunately it is just not suitable for a certain percentage of woman. It is probably worth trying though as the benefits can be excellent and it is likely that if you keep in contact with your doctor you will eventually find a combination of the ‘pill’ and a topical skin product that will help you through your acne ‘chapter’.

Low Dose Oral Contraceptive Pills Minimize Side Effects

Today’s oral contraceptive pills contain much lower doses of synthetic hormones than in the 1960’s when ‘The PILL’ (with 50 micrograms of estrogen) first went onto the market. “That’s not helped me much”, you may be saying to yourself but here’s some information about low dose oral contraceptive pills that may be beneficial for you if you’re not happy with your current pill.

Trial and error with different pill types is worth pursuing -bearing in mind that oral contraceptives are still not the perfect method of birth control for everyone. If you are on the ‘right pill’ to suit your body, you should feel exactly the same way as you do normally, if not a little better. Some women cannot tolerate the estrogen in combined oral contraceptive pills so are prescribed progestin only pills. Estrogen seemed to be the main culprit where side effects were to blame so ‘low dose’ pills were developed to minimise these.

Changing hormone levels within your body can result in side effects which vary for every individual.
Keeping hormones at a consistent level in your body is the job of oral contraceptives so that you do not ovulate, your uterine lining thins and your cervical mucous thickens. These three events work together to prevent pregnancy.

Pills such as ALESSE and MIRCETTE are called ultra low dose pills as they contain only 20mcg of estrogen. These oral contraceptives are effective at preventing pregnancy but some women find that they have more spotting and breakthrough bleeding with them than with pills containing 30 or 35 micrograms (considered the norm today) of estrogen. Spotting and breakthrough bleeding often disappear after a few months on a low dose oral contraceptive pill. Women who prefer ALESSE and MIRCETTE say they reduce headaches, mood swings, breast tenderness and bloating. These two brands also may be better for ‘first timer pill users’ as a ‘low estrogen start’ to introducing synthetic hormones into their bodies.

Progestin only pills or ‘mini pills’

These oral contraceptives are 90-95% effective at preventing pregnancy compared to the 99% efficacy rate of combination pills. However, they do not cause the common side effects of estrogen pills such as nausea, breast tenderness and cramps. The risk of developing deep vein thrombosis and cardiovascular disease is lower with progestin only pills. Nursing mothers can use progestin only pills a few weeks after giving birth as progestin does not affect milk supply like estrogen does.

‘Mini pills’ must be taken every day at the same time with no break. If you miss just one pill or take it more than three hours past the regular time, you need to use a backup method of birth control for 48 hours after taking the late pill. Disadvantage of the ‘mini pill’ – apart from irregular spotting and breakthrough bleeding, is that it can increase the risk of ovarian cysts and ectopic pregnancy.

Sources:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Elizabeth Silverman, obstetrician-gynecologist at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla. Dr. Pamela Deak, obstetrician-gynecologist at the University of California San Diego Medical Center.