Acne Pills' Effects on Menstruation

Going through puberty is complicated enough without adding a bunch of medication side effects. However, many teenagers do just that every year in an attempt to combat acne. Unfortunately, because acne is so tied to hormones, treating acne can sometimes have detrimental effects on the menstrual cycle.

Origins

Acne pills can have an impact on menstruation because many women experience increased acne around the time of their period. Often, acne flares up immediately before menstruation. Thus, treating acne often indirectly affects the menstrual cycle.

Causes

Acne pills typically affect menstruation by altering the body's release of androgens. Although androgens are typically more involved in male sexual development, they also regulate menstruation.

Spironolactone

Spironolactone is an anti-androgen used to treat acne in women and baldness in men. It doesn't have serious side effects for many users, but some females find that their periods are irregular while on the drug.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are often used in the treatment of acne, because it can kill the bacterial infections that cause pimples. Unfortunately, antibiotics also tend to interact with other drugs in the body. Antibiotics don't interfere with the menstrual cycle directly, but they do interfere with birth control pills--which themselves are often used to regulate menstrual cycles.

Birth Control

Certain kinds of birth control are known to fight acne. Because birth control regulates menstruation, it prevents the flare-ups of hormones that often cause acne breakouts.

References

• Acne
• Women's Health

Resources

• Medication Side Effects
• Acne and Birth Control