272 replies to this topic

[Kristabel]

Thank you for your responses. I really believe the more information we can get the more likely we can solve this problem, it is very common after all to get acne after stopping the pill, whether you had it before or not.

I think i have thought up the most important questions for you all, so i will list them here with my own answers. If your reading this and going through the same, it would be great if you could copy and paste the whole thing and then delete my answers and add your own.

Age: 29

Pill: Cilest (Uk brand, exactly the same as Ortho Cyclen i think)

Started pill: age 19 with 1 year break about 5 years ago (i got acne during the break)

Stopped taking: Dec 2010

Periods: First period 39 days after the last pill withdrawal bleed. Lasted only 2 days. 2nd period 41 days after the first one. Lasted about 3 days

Skin: 1 cyst which has taken a month to disappear. Face clear at the moment but has started getting really oily. A few spots on my back which started after 1 month. Been off the pill exactly 3 months so waiting to see what will happen and when (if your already experiencing acne it would help if you add whether it came on suddenly or gradually and give details on severity)

Now using: Topicals. BP in the morning and Isotrexin at night

Anything else: Please add any additional information, did you start to break out only on your face or on your back/chest as well? Did it start on your back/chest first or on your face first? Are you experiencing any other changes since coming off the pill? Is there anything that has helped your skin? etc

[Kts26]

Hi everyone

I've been reading the posts on this site now for over a year and always promised myself that I would post when I felt a bit better about myself and be in a better place to help others who suffer the same as I have for the last year.

Up until December 2009 I've been on bcp for nearly 10 years since the age of 16. The pills have varied over the years due to moods and some minor health complaints but never acne. The most recent pill i've been on was Yasmin and I was using that for nearly five years without problems. At Xmas 2009 I decided to give my body a break and take 1 month off pills. I got a few spots but noticed my moods were generally much better and I felt healthier and happier off the pill. My boyfriend agreed that it made a difference to our relationship and (despite disliking having to use condoms) supported me in my decision. I went back on the pill 1 month later (half to test whether my moods had changed or whether it was all in my head and also because using condoms was far from ideal). Big mistake......I suddenly ended up with more spots than I could count, increasing in number and severity every day. For the first time in my life, my face was painful to touch and I was extremely self conscious of my skin. My skincare routine and applying makeup took up a large part of my day and felt totally disgusted with myself and the way I looked. I knew I was being self indulgent and other people have much worse problems to deal with but I just couldn't dredge up any confidence to hold my head up high. I used my hair to try and hide the spots on my forehead and looked at the floor most of the time. My boyfriend never saw me without makeup on and I'd get up earlier than him to plaster it on. At night, I deliberately let him use the bathroom first so I could turn the light off in the bedroom and then wash my face while he got into bed so he'd never see me with my horrible skin bare.

My skin seemed to explode with painful little whiteheads particularly around my nose, chin and cheeks, plus closed comedones between my eyebrows and on my forehead. The cysts that developed around my chin were both large and painful and I also developed several clusters of whiteheads around my hairline that lasted for weeks. My skin felt both sensitive and greasy and developed new spots every day. My morning routine always started with a prayer that the overnight damage wasn't too severe. I began using lots of expensive products in a bid to try and rid myself of my acne. I became a slave to alpha-h thinking the alpha hydroxy might strip my skin of it's oil. I used Marion barrack topicals and cleansers to no avail. I avoided sunlight and flourescent light like a vampire......not easy when you work as a receptionist in a busy showroom. After 6 months I was absolutely furious with the anxiety that my skin caused me... It was a chance conversation with one of my friends which turned it all around. She has suffered similar experiences but never talked about it...it seems that us girls who suffer hormonal acne due to bcp feel ashamed that it's happening to us as adults.....the common misconception is that acne is a dirty, teenage problem..... How wrong that is. She mentioned her dermatologist had recommended zinc for acne and she was currently using a topical containing zinc which she thought was helping. After a bit more research (and beginning to follow some of Dan's cleansing advice) I began to realise that my skincare routine was probably doing more harm than good and began treating it much more carefully. I switched my cleanser to a very mild olay cleansing milk (olay complete cleansing milk) which I applied very gently letting my fingers glide over my skin and allowing the water to rinse off ( no touching). I used the same olay sensitive moisturiser Dan recommends and left my skin alone.....this is the hardest thing to do when you just can't stop touching and picking like me but you must stick to this, the benefits of no scarring will outweigh any temporary relief from picking. The second revelation for me was adding zinc, vitamin e and evening primrose oil to my daily diet. I read a lot about these for weeks beforehand as I'd always been a big believer in getting all the nutrients you need from natural sources. However I decided that I was so desperate that I couldn't not try at this point. I began taking 25mg a day of chelated zinc (zinc gluconate) and an evening primrose oil capsule with added vitamin e. I did this for seven weeks and saw some small improvements in my skin (mostly that the oiliness was reduced) but was still suffering some pretty bad t zone acne. I tamped my zinc dosage up to 50 mg a day and pretty soon after seeing a vast improvement took the dosage up to 75mg a day. I also increased my evening primrose and vitamin e capsules up to 2 a day. Within 1 month my skin was very much more comfortable and I was getting less and less acne to deal with every day. I also began using manuka honey as a face mask once or twice every week to get some extra moisture into my skin and kill any bacteria lingering there (get the best manuka honey you can-the higher the activity rating, the more effective the honey at killing bacteria) I have been doing the above for three months now and get fewer and fewer spots every month. My periods are starting to become more regular as a result of the bcp coming out of my system and the primrose oil helped to stabilise my hormones. Before it was a case of periods some months and nothing for eight or nine weeks. Now I'm much more regular albeit a much longer cycle than before bcp (about 35 days). I've also switched my makeup from benefit (some kind of gorgeous foundation) to bare minerals. I know a lot of girls have experienced problems with this makeup and I was very reluctant to throw another variable into the mix but the benefit foundation was keeping my skin too oily and I wanted to try and fix this by going with a more natural mineral foundation. I can honestly say I never experienced any problems with this makeup and my skin seems to actually benefit from it as if it's able to breath better so I'm still very happy with it.

Over the last year I lost count of the amount of times I wanted to get back on the pill to try and get rid of the acne I suffered but I'm so glad stayed strong and persevered.....one day I knew I would want to have children so I knew I'd have to tackle this problem again at some point if I didn't......my decision is beginning to pay off for me......I just hope that the other ladies suffering out there like I did get some relief from this awful, little-talked about problem like I have.

[Kts26]

Sorry guys, I should have added in there that as soon as my skin reacted to going back on Yasmin, I came back off immediately. I have been pill free now for a year.

[Kristabel]

Wow thanks for your detailed reply. It sounds like the zinc was instrumental in clearing you up. I am already taking 22mg zinc picolinate per day, i have been dubious about taking more as surely it cant be safe to take so much zinc over a long period of time without side effects? I know very little about it.

Further to my previous posts, another factor i thought of was whether or not you were 100% clear when on the pill or not. Those of you reading this who have experienced acne after stopping the pill, please add your info in the form of the post i made earlier:

Thank you for your responses. I really believe the more information we can get the more likely we can solve this problem, it is very common after all to get acne after stopping the pill, whether you had it before or not.

I think i have thought up the most important questions for you all, so i will list them here with my own answers. If your reading this and going through the same, it would be great if you could copy and paste the whole thing and then delete my answers and add your own.

Age: 29

Pill: Cilest (Uk brand, exactly the same as Ortho Cyclen i think)

Started pill: age 19 with 1 year break about 5 years ago (i got acne during the break)

Stopped taking: Dec 2010

Periods: First period 39 days after the last pill withdrawal bleed. Lasted only 2 days. 2nd period 41 days after the first one. Lasted about 3 days

Skin: 1 cyst which has taken a month to disappear. Face clear at the moment but has started getting really oily. A few spots on my back which started after 1 month. Been off the pill exactly 3 months so waiting to see what will happen and when (if your already experiencing acne it would help if you add whether it came on suddenly or gradually and give details on severity)

Now using: Topicals. BP in the morning and Isotrexin at night

Anything else: Please add any additional information, did you start to break out only on your face or on your back/chest as well? Did it start on your back/chest first or on your face first? Are you experiencing any other changes since coming off the pill? Is there anything that has helped your skin? etc

The more info we can collect the better chance we have of finding a solution

[N.clare]

Age - 24

Pill - Dianette (UK)/ Yasmin

Went on Pill - Age 19

Stopped Pill - Dianette- August 2010/Yasmin- October 2010

Periods - didnt start my period until the end of january nearly 4 months after i stopped the pill, it then took another couple of months for me to get a second period

Acne onset - My skin had started to get bad when my doctor switched me to yasmin but just exploded a month into stopping all together

Acne improved/ cleared - It improved and then worsened... I think its very much related to my cycle

Anything that helped - removing all chemical products replacing them with natural and organic ones. Turmeric and sandlewood masks daily and applecider vinegar used as a toner.

[N.clare]

Just wanted to add the severity.... The cysts came on quite suddenly, i think about 5 appeared on my left cheek all on one day they were very painful and took a long time to heal and while they healed i would consistently get new ones, pretty much totally isolated to my cheeks and sides of my chin. They have left nasty red marks.
After about 3 months they calmed down, this is after my period started, and then a month later suddenly i started getting pimples all over my shoulders and back and more on my face (more randomly than before) and quite oily. I have had a small second period but my skins not clearing much this time

[SEVEN_SECONDS_AWAY!]

you need to visit a dermatologist from what i can see about your details it looks that you have moderated to severe acne? if so please stop wasting time and MONEY visit a dermatologist tell him all about your problems, tell him about birth control etc. creams, gels etc won´t work for you because it seems that you have terrible acne. creams and gels only work for mild acne it takes the acne from the outside not from the inside. what i mean is that maybe your hormones are driving you crazy which maybe you need a special pill for hard hormones. it´s better to control the acne from the inside.

if you don´t control your hormones nothing would help you to reduce your acne no creams, no gels, not proactive. (in my opinion proactive doesn´t work i heard tons of negative stuffs about this)
also i heard from people who took birth control pills is that once they finished with the birth control pills their acne came back and WORSE. so i would suggest you to visit a dermatologist as soon as possible or your acne could get worse. i don´t want to scare but nor i want you to waste money on products that would only works for very mild acne.

[myhappyface]

Hi everyone! I thought I'd add my story to the thread too, I'm sure this is all familiar stuff:

Age - 26
Pill - Ortho Tri Cyclen
Went on Pill: Age 16
Stopped Pill- June 2009 (age 24)
Periods - I went on BC for severe cramps and ovarian cysts. My periods have always been very regular and very light. Since stopping BC they are still regular, have returned to their previously painful state, and have gotten even lighter (this greatly surprised me).
Acne onset - September 2009 (and August 2010)

I had perfectly clear skin as a young teenager before going on the pill (I actually had a derm remark on this the summer before I started BC).

My skin was fine from June-September 2009. Suddenly I was getting cysts. They were few in number, but deep and painful, so I went to the derm and tried 4-5 different antibiotics (mostly topical but one oral). Nothing worked and I experienced really unpleasant side effects on the oral one (to the tune of needing an MRI among other things). I was also breaking out on my chest and back, both of which were new to me as well.

Flash forward to August 2010 and I was at my wits end, so I started the BC again. Big mistake for me. Within days of restarting them my skin got so much worse. I went from ~ 3-4 spots on each side of my face to 10-15 on each side. They spread to new places I had never broken out. The worst one was on my chin, it was huge and lasted for 3 months before it finally surfaced and drained.

I stopped the pills again and spent the next few months watching the spots migrate and feeling hopeless (and wishing I had been more PATIENT!). I'm not a good candidate for accutane (and didn't want to take it anyway) and I was uninterested in more antibiotics. I did some reading on here and decided to try Dan's BP routine.

I started using the BP routine on October 27, 2010. I experienced the usual flakes/red dry skin/burning. I stuck it out though, and almost 5 months later I've had pretty good results. My skin is not perfect, but I have not had a cyst since December. It took a good 4 months before I had my first day of "smooth" skin (no raised spots) since this whole fiasco started. I have lotsssss of red marks left over, but even those are improving.

I'm still hoping this won't be permanent routine and that my hormones will eventually even out, but I think it's too early to say.

Current routine AM/PM:
-Cetaphil gentle cleanser
-Dan's BP (used proactiv's at first, but Dan's is cheaper)
-Cetaphil lotion

Here on day 140 of this routine I have only one very small spot near my ear!

[Kristabel]

Thats great that you have cleared up with the regimen, i was gonna suggest that for those who want to come off the pill but are scared - maybe start the regimen a couple months before you come off the pill and see if it keeps you clear.

I have not been doing the regimen but have been applying a thin layer of bp gel in the morning and topical vitamin A (isotrexin) at night and hoping and praying that this might lessen the severity of the outbreak.

Anyway if you stopped the pill and got acne please post your info here in the format of the posts above. If we can make this the definitive thread for post pill acne then we could provide and receive a lot of help

[Kristabel]

So from my research it looks like stopping birth control obviously causes an excess of testosterone/androgens related to perhaps increased insulin sensitivity and possibly compounded by a poorly functioning liver.

Actual PCOS or PCOS symptoms seem to be a very common result of coming off the pill.

Optimum diet, exercise and the correct supplementation are very important.

A good topical regimen such as Dan's is definitely worth a try.

So for the insulin sensitivity/PCOS symptoms i was wondering if metformin or better still chromium would help.

A combination of chromium, zinc and b vitamin supplementation might not be a bad idea.

Acupuncture and chinese herbal medicine maybe.

Any input/suggestions from anyone regarding this?

Also i am STILL convinced there is a connection between the acne and how long it takes for your cycle to regulate but need more information on this

[Lewis.]

I know this might seem quite unrelated but please do not take this as being rude, it's just a thought.

You could perhaps go back onto the birth control pills and adopt instead ?

I'm only forwarding this option because a couple who are friends of mine adopted after never thinking about it at all and with care homes practically flooding now with children you could really make a huge difference.

It'd let you get your skin back into order and have one of the most amazing gifts except without the risk of a c-section or hours of labour.

[Kristabel]

So from my research it looks like stopping birth control obviously causes an excess of testosterone/androgens related to perhaps increased insulin sensitivity and possibly compounded by a poorly functioning liver.

Actual PCOS or PCOS symptoms seem to be a very common result of coming off the pill.

Optimum diet, exercise and the correct supplementation are very important.

A good topical regimen such as Dan's is definitely worth a try.

So for the insulin sensitivity/PCOS symptoms i was wondering if metformin or better still chromium would help.

A combination of chromium, zinc and b vitamin supplementation might not be a bad idea.

Acupuncture and chinese herbal medicine maybe.

Any input/suggestions from anyone regarding this?

Also i am STILL convinced there is a connection between the acne and how long it takes for your cycle to regulate but need more information on this

[N.clare]

ive started taking saw palmetto twice a day (ive heard a particular kind from GNC is the best) its a natural anti-androgen. Ive been taking them for about 2 weeks and havent had any cystic breakouts since.... however this doesnt mean its going to stay that way as my cysts fluctuate in numbers and consistency.
Im combining this with a vit.B complex supplement and acidiphilus, and Im also thinking about starting a good fiber supplement recommended on here.

For me im sure its an increase in testosterone levels, and I think my periods are still completely messed up.... I came off the pill in October 2010 and Ive only had 2 proper periods since then! I thought after I got my first one i'd start going back to normal but then it took ages for me to get another one and again its over 6 weeks since then.

Is there a chance higher testosterone levels in women can cause irregular or non-existent periods?

[Acne Security]

Yes this is most likely hormonal, see the correct specialist, and it can probably be corrected. My gf had a similar thing happen to her from the pill - along with a dramatic growth in some of her "curves" ... Crazy hormones they put in that stuff - I wouldn't mess
GL

[MexiRicanDiva]

Hi!

I too went off the pill a year ago and my skin is so horrible!! I just started taking DIM-Plus supplements (herbs) to balance out my hormones. After getting some bloodwork done, my doctor told me I had too much testosterone in my blood- causing my acne and other issues.

I also bought the Clinique Acne system. It's only day 2, but I will update if it works!

[Bonnie78]

Hi, i'm new here as I feel i need some support with my acne that has appeared after going off the pill. I had perfect skin up until 3 months ago and i'm devastaed as to how it looks now.

Age: I'm 33 and want to start trying for babies end of this year which is why i've gone off the pill.

Started pill: age 19, and a couple of breakds for 3 - 6 months and never got acne. Was on a pill called Femodon/Minulet the whole time without any problems. But apparently this wasn't a great pill and most pharmacies don't even stock it.

Stopped taking: October 2010

Periods: First period about 60 days after the last pill withdrawal bleed. Lasted only a few days. 2nd period 39 days after the first one. 3rd about 45 days. all lasted about only a few days.

Skin: Cluster of papules on my left cheek, 1 big cyst on my right cheek bone, lots of little bumps around my mouth area. Not a blemish on my forehead. Just starting to get a few spots on my chest. Been off the pill for 6 month. Nothing has changed, infact its got worse

Now using: Cetaphil cleanser morning and night, Epidulo at night, Dermologica special clearing booster on sports in morning, dermalogica active moisturiser. Doxycyline in the morning, zinc table, multi vitamin, 6 fish oil tablets. I'm also up to my 6t week of Microdermabrasion and LED Light therepy, but i feel the micro is just making it worse - although the beautician swears its helping bring it all out to the surface.

Anything else: I'm losing lots of hair everyday (although not massive clumps), i've been tested for PSOC and i'm clear. Hormone levels are fine also.

So as of last week i've just gone back on the Pill (Valette) as i went to the doctor in desperation and she took one look at my skin and said i must go back on it - she said my skin looked oily and my acne was causing scaring.

I feel like i had no choice and i'm so devasted as I know I have to deal with it again in 12mths time!

Edited by Bonnie78, 19 April 2011 - 04:22 AM.

[GreenEyes33]

Same story!

Im 25. Went off b/c in Sept after being on it for about 9 years. I did have SOME acne prior to starting, but nothing like I do now! The weird thing is (and I noticed it in a lot of replies too) is my acne didnt flare up right away, it was January when it started- 4 mos later. Now my face is just terrible!

I too have had some success with diet changing. My diet was frightful before, but now I try and eat only whole grains, cut wayyy back on dairy, and had to completely cut out fast food (would break out like crazy after it...everytime)

Now Im increasing my fibre further, eating yogurt once a day (I find it helps but I may actually purchase a probiotic to see if it helps further) and take zinc and omega 3. My face has cleared about 85% since its worse in February.

Also worth noting- I tried Retin A. My face is sensitive so only did it once every 3 days and got the lowest dosage, AND moisturized and it made my skin flake off and made my acne so much worse. Tried it for 2 months before I quit that. I do think diet is important, but still not sure why my skin would react so badly months after stopping the bc!

[GreenEyes33]

Also... did any of you notice an increase in the tiny hairs that grow on your chin and around your mouth during the times off of BC that you broke out? Mine have definitely increased in amount. They're still very fine, colorless baby hairs, and I probably would not have noticed them if they didn't exist in and around the areas I'm ALWAYS noticing, aka where I'm breaking out... but I find that they are even more visible under make up. I suppose this is just another indication that hormones are to blame? That I need more estrogen and to somehow curb some of my testosterone? Did any of you notice this going away after resuming BC?

...I wish I paid as much attention to my skin when it was clear as I'm paying to it now that it's not... I'd be able to answer these questions for myself and narrow down the problem a lot more easily.

______

YES! I thought I was the only one. It's still baby fine, but ever ever so slightly darker than before. It was always super blonde but now I can actually see it if I get super close. I also noticed my hair on my legs grows faster. I used to be able to shave every 2-3 days and now I HAVE to everyday. Maybe it is PCOS or something? I dont know but the fact that there are people in this thread who struggle with it years after stopping bc makes me SO worried.

[Bonnie78]

Also... did any of you notice an increase in the tiny hairs that grow on your chin and around your mouth during the times off of BC that you broke out? Mine have definitely increased in amount. They're still very fine, colorless baby hairs, and I probably would not have noticed them if they didn't exist in and around the areas I'm ALWAYS noticing, aka where I'm breaking out... but I find that they are even more visible under make up. I suppose this is just another indication that hormones are to blame? That I need more estrogen and to somehow curb some of my testosterone? Did any of you notice this going away after resuming BC?

...I wish I paid as much attention to my skin when it was clear as I'm paying to it now that it's not... I'd be able to answer these questions for myself and narrow down the problem a lot more easily.

______

YES! I thought I was the only one. It's still baby fine, but ever ever so slightly darker than before. It was always super blonde but now I can actually see it if I get super close. I also noticed my hair on my legs grows faster. I used to be able to shave every 2-3 days and now I HAVE to everyday. Maybe it is PCOS or something? I dont know but the fact that there are people in this thread who struggle with it years after stopping bc makes me SO worried.

Yes! Me to!!
It's a sign of too much testosterone.
If you find you're losing clumps of hair in the shower too that's another sign.
When will it end!

[Kristabel]

Same story!

Im 25. Went off b/c in Sept after being on it for about 9 years. I did have SOME acne prior to starting, but nothing like I do now! The weird thing is (and I noticed it in a lot of replies too) is my acne didnt flare up right away, it was January when it started- 4 mos later. Now my face is just terrible!

I too have had some success with diet changing. My diet was frightful before, but now I try and eat only whole grains, cut wayyy back on dairy, and had to completely cut out fast food (would break out like crazy after it...everytime)

Now Im increasing my fibre further, eating yogurt once a day (I find it helps but I may actually purchase a probiotic to see if it helps further) and take zinc and omega 3. My face has cleared about 85% since its worse in February.

Also worth noting- I tried Retin A. My face is sensitive so only did it once every 3 days and got the lowest dosage, AND moisturized and it made my skin flake off and made my acne so much worse. Tried it for 2 months before I quit that. I do think diet is important, but still not sure why my skin would react so badly months after stopping the bc!

You say in your first paragraph that your face is just terrible, and then you say your face has cleared up 85% since February? Surely this is a sign that its settling down?