POST-PILL ACNE
POST-PILL ACNE: 3 COMMON REASONS WHY IT OCCURS
Thinking about coming off birth control but fearful acne will return with a vengeance? Have you already pulled the plug on the pill and noticed a return of unwanted acne? This post is a must read! This blog is designed to help you understand why acne might be resurfacing.
Nutrient Depletion: Oral contraceptives are a major drug class that many of us have been offered at one time or another, or have decided to use (rightfully so) for preventing pregnancy, mood or acne stabilization, or heavy or painful period management. No matter the personal decision, you deserve to understand the latest research surrounding contraceptives so you can be empowered to support your goals and needs. More recent medical research reveals that these oral contraceptive pills, just like many other prescription medications, are impacting our nutritional requirements. Oral contraceptives have been shown to deplete folic acid, vitamins B2, B6, B12, vitamin C and E, and the minerals magnesium, selenium and zinc. These nutrients play a vital role in proper liver clearance of hormones, proper waste removal, and vitamin A integration needed for proper skin renewal, preventing breakouts, and reducing inflammation. Bonus for zinc—its crowning glory is its ability to inhibit bacteria inhabiting sweat glands equating to less acne formation. Yay! Whether you are currently on birth control or recently post-pill, it is important to assess your nutrient status both on lab testing and through assessment of dietary patterns.
Microbiome Disruption: In addition, studies are starting to uncover the effects that oral contraceptives have on our microflora. These flora changes can be impacted orally, vaginally and in the gut! Among these papers, one reveals that hormonal contraceptives have impacted gut flora, adversely impacting estrogen metabolism, the third and last phase of clearance. Another paper reveals how oral contraceptive use has been linked to higher rates of Irritable Bowel Disease, like Chron’s and Ulcerative Colitis. Let me clearly state that this is not meant to scare you out of hormonal contraceptive use if so desired, but to help use this information to better support you on or off the pill. For the understanding of this discussion, the reason acne can resurface is that these negative changes to our microbiome, our gut friendly besties, can predispose the intestinal lining to “leaky gut,” or the more formal, increased intestinal permeability. This disruption increased the predisposition to unwanted pathogens, inflammation, and food sensitivities. Leading us back to poor gut flora = poor hormone clearance.
Androgen Rebound: Lastly, the pill is widely known for increasing the production of SHBG, sex hormone binding globulin, which inhibits ovarian and androgen production of testosterone. This is also why women often complain about low sex drive while taking the pill. This downregulated testosterone production is then sent into full force when the pill is discontinued, called “androgenic rebound.” Simply put the body starts to realize the low testosterone levels and compensates for what it is missing. Although the return in testosterone is positive, the immense change in levels of testosterone causes side effects such as an increase in sebum production and acne formation.
Now as much as this might have stopped you in your tracks, it really is meant to empower you. By explaining to you the 3 common reasons acne can backfire post-pill, can actually help us in two ways. 1) It can help us strategize on how to support you while on the pill (which I will continue in another blog) and 2) it can help us actively reverse post-pill acne that much faster! With some knowledge, an action plan, and some time and patience, we can stop the problematic acne, free your face, and have you feeling like that fine a$$ boss babe, like you are!
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