Seasonique and Acne

Many women experience monthly acne breakouts right before or during their menstrual periods. Others may have pimples all month but watch them get significantly worse as their periods approach. According to the Mayo Clinic, birth control pills can help control these breakouts and curb acne significantly 234. Some physicians prescribe Seasonique, a birth control pill that gives you one period every three months, as an acne treatment 4.**

Cause

Pimples pop up when your body's hormones tell your skin to produce too much sebum, an oil your skin uses to lubricate itself. Hormones called androgens stimulate the sebaceous glands within the skin to produce this sebum, which can clog your pores. Most women with acne don't have high levels of androgens, but their sebaceous glands might be particularly sensitive to the hormones.

Function

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Seasonique, which contains the synthetic female hormones ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel, can lower your body's androgen levels, potentially resulting in fewer acne outbreaks. Seasonique, a relatively new form of birth control that received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval in 2006, gives you only four periods each year, instead of the normal 12. When you're on Seasonique, you take hormones every day for 84 days, and then take lower-dose pills for the next six days. The three-month combination can eliminate monthly acne breakouts and reduce your acne lesions overall.

Time Frame

The FDA hasn't approved Seasonique to treat acne, but many physicians use it for that purpose. If your doctor places you on Seasonique to control your pimples, don't expect quick results. In fact, the Mayo Clinic warns that women who go on oral contraceptives to curb their acne may see their complexions get significantly worse first 23. Birth control pills take about six months to show positive effects on acne 4.

Warning

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Some women experience breakthrough bleeding while on Seasonique and others complain of weight gain and depression. Women with a history of medical problems including stroke, blood clots, severe high blood pressure, migraines and certain cancers should avoid all oral contraceptives, including Seasonique. Women older than age 35 or those who smoke should consult with their physician about their risks on the drug.

Considerations

Medical research indicates that oral contraceptives such as Seasonique can improve acne lesion counts. A study reported in the "Journal of Drugs in Dermatology" concluded that oral contraceptives significantly reduced acne in women after six months 15.** However, some women report on online acne forums that Seasonique made their acne much worse. If this happens to you, talk to your physician about your options. You may get better results with another type of medication.