Does Type of Contraceptive Affect Likelihood and Severity of Acne?

Differences among contraceptive types were minor, and combined oral contraceptives were associated with modest protection from developing or worsening acne.

Given that combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are frequently prescribed for management of acne, investigators used a deidentified claims database in a retrospective cohort study to determine if type of contraceptive method affected incidence and severity of acne among new contraceptive users during the first year of use, as well as preexisting acne among those switching methods.

Among some 337,000 new contraceptive users (age range, 12–40) with no evidence of acne at enrollment, new-onset acne developed in 2% to 8%. Incidence of acne was higher among younger women (overall <5%). Compared with COCs, both the copper intrauterine device (IUD; hazard ratio, 1.14) and the levonorgestrel-containing IUD (HR, 1.09) were associated with slightly mor…

Reviewing Author

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

Does Type of Contraceptive Affect Likelihood and Severity of Acne?

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Reviewing Author