I've had acne for about four years now and I think it's mainly hormonal now. I almost never break out on my forehead, only my left cheek/left lower jaw. My acne would be classified as mild - sometimes moderate. I have naturally combination-oily skin.

During my last visit to the derm, I asked about Spiro but she said she doesn't "mess with hormones" so she just gave me another prescription for Doxy. I've used Doxy in the past and it worked well, but I believe I've become immune to it now. I'm taking Mino right now and it's worked somewhat but I still get pimples every few weeks. So, I still am interested in trying Spiro, but I don't know how to go about getting a prescription for it.

If I could not get Spiro, should I try for Birth Control? I'm a little scared because I believe my Tri-Sprintec birth control in the past caused a particularly bad breakout for me. Granted, I did not take it correctly--I took it sporadically, which was stupid. But I wonder if another brand of birth control would work well for me?

Any answers appreciated!!

 

You have no idea if TriSprintec works for you by taking it sporadically. All hormonal treatment, spiro included, takes MONTHS of consistent dosing to see clearance. I got clear on spiro but it took me 4 months for my skin to change even a little bit. Now I am clear but if I don't take spiro, even for just a week, my acne comes back. Consistency is key with hormonal treatment.

You'll have to find another derm or talk to an ob-gyn to get a prescription. My prescription is from a dermatologist, but I called him up and talked to him about spiro before I went in, so I knew he would prescribe it before I paid for an appointment.