Yasmin and Acne
Yasmin is a prescription oral contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy. Many women do not consider taking this birth control drug because of concerns about the drug causing acne. Although clinical studies indicate that acne is a common side effect of Yasmin, there are some women who actually take this drug to treat acne.
Acne as a Side Effect
Before a medication is approved by the FDA, it is carefully studied through placebo-controlled clinical trials. The medication is given to a group of people. Data is gathered, these include side effects, and then compared to another group of participants who did not take the drug. In these clinical studies, it was revealed that acne occurred in more than one percent of Yasmin users. However, acne has also been reported by participants who did not use the drug.
Since acne has occurred in both user and non-users of this drug, it is unclear whether acne is directly caused by Yasmin or some other factors.
Yasmin for Treatment of Acne
Although Yasmin is not approved for the treatment of acne, some women take it to treat this common skin condition. In fact, there is a contraceptive – Yaz – that contains the similar active ingredients of Yasmin but in slightly different amounts and is approved for acne treatment. There are also some healthcare providers who consider this drug effective and safe for treating acne.
Drospirenone, an active ingredient of Yaz and Yasmin, is a progesterone hormone that counteracts the effects of testosterone and other male hormones. Usually, women have low amounts of male hormones which may cause acne. Since Yaz, as well as Yasmin, block the effects of these male hormones, it is beneficial in the treatment of acne.
In one clinical study conducted on women who used this oral contraceptive, it showed that after 9 cycles of treatment, the average acne lesions was significantly reduced by up to 62% percent. Other combination birth control pills also showed positive effects on acne and seborrhea. However, compared with other oral contraceptives, drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol drug combinations appear to be more effective. In subjective evaluation of the effect of this birth control pill on facial acne, gynecologists, dermatologists, and the participants themselves acknowledged an improvement in their skin condition. It is suggested that this drug combination may be effective for treating mild-to-moderate acne.
Recommendations
Although Yasmin has not been approved for treatment of acne, women who are taking this birth control pill may notice an improvement in their acne. In fact, some healthcare providers recommend this drug for women who need treatment for acne as well as birth control. However, if Yasmin seems to worsen you acne, you should consult your healthcare provider for appropriate recommendations. Depending on the severity of your condition, your healthcare provider may consider stopping this drug and using alternative birth control methods, or prescribing a different treatment for acne.
