The influence of contraceptive methods on the development and course of acne

 

Pathogenesis of acne – it is multifactorial, during which the synthesis of androgens and sebogenic hormones plays an important role. Given the effect of some types of contraceptives on hormonal signaling pathways, the choice of contraceptive method may affect the prevalence of the disease and the severity of acne in women. However, according to the study, acne can also be a reason to discontinue contraceptives, different forms of use of which can have completely different effects on the disease.

• Acne-contraception link: a study
• Contraceptive methods and frequency of acne development: results

The link between acne and contraception: a study 

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in women who were prescribed contraceptives according to the Data Optim Clinformatics Data Mart.

The study assessed the incidence of acne during the first year after starting hormone therapy in girls/women aged 12-40 who were taking contraceptives for the first time and had a history of acne.

Based on the mechanism of action of contraceptive drugs, scientists have suggested that combined oral contraceptives will have a positive effect on the course of acne, intrauterine copper spiral – neutral effect, progestin preparations, intrauterine device with levonorgestrel, implant with etonogestrel negatively will affect the course of acne.

Read also: What medications can cause drug-induced acne

Comparative characteristics were carried out and the association of various methods of contraception, such as combined oral contraceptives, copper intrauterine device and levonorgestrel intrauterine device, with clinical features of the development and severity of the disease was determined.

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Investigators also assessed

severity of acne and the need for topical therapy and oral antibiotics of the tetracycline class during the first year of contraceptive use.

Contraceptive methods and acne incidence: results

The study involved 336,738 women. Among the total number of contraceptives prescribed by them,

82.9% were COCs, 10.6% - IUD with levonorgestrel, 2.1% - copper IUD, 1.9% - Implant with etonogestrel and 1.3% - Progestin preparations, 1.2% - DMPA injections.

Read also: Acne in women of reproductive age: features of the disease

Acne has been reported in

2-8% of patients in the study, predominantly among younger adults.

 

 

Scientists analyzed the effects of

combined oral contraceptives, progestogens, etonogestrel implant, DMPA injections, non-hormonal copper intrauterine device, and levonorgestrel intrauterine device, and compared their effects on frequency of occurrence and severity of acne.

The use of

etonogestrel implant and medroxyprogesterone injections reduces the risk of developing clinically significant acne.

Intrauterine copper coil was associated with the use of topical and oral tetracycline antibiotics during the study.

Compared to taking COCs, patients with

Intrauterine Copper Device had an increased risk of developing symptomatic acne by 14%. Against the background of the use of an intrauterine device with levonorgestrel, the risk increased by 9%.

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The risk of acne when using contraception was higher among patients switching from using combined oral contraceptives to other methods, compared with the same indicator among patients using COC for the first time for one year.

Read also: Topical retinoids for acne

Thus, it becomes clear that, compared with the use of an intrauterine device, the use of combined oral contraceptives has a

moderate protective effect regarding the frequency of occurrence, severity of acne, and also reduces the need to use antibacterial drugs. However, the difference in percentage between these two methods of contraception is not that great.

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