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Low-Estrogen Birth Control Pill Treats Acne

HERSHEY, PA -- September 5, 2001 -- A study published this week in the medical journal Fertility and Sterility shows for the first time that an ultra low-dose oral contraceptive with only 20 micrograms of estrogen is just as effective in treating acne as pills with higher doses of estrogen.

The trial was led by Diane Thiboutot, M.D., associate professor of medicine at Pennsylvania State College of Medicine.

"Our study confirms that an oral contraceptive containing only 20 micrograms of estrogen -- the lowest dose on the market today -- is effective in suppressing androgen production and reducing acne lesions," explained Dr. Thiboutot. "This clinical trial is good news for women because it shows that we now have more birth control choices that are not only 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy, and offer numerous other health benefits, but can also treat acne lesions without causing a change in weight -- a common estrogen-related side effect," said Dr. Thiboutot.

The double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial examined 350 healthy females with regular menstrual cycles and moderate facial acne. By random selection, half the women took a 20-µg pill containing ethinyl estradiol and the progestin levonorgestrel (Alesse®, manufactured by Wyeth-Ayerst Pharmaceuticals), and the other half took a placebo. After six cycles of treatment, there were a significantly lower number of acne lesions in the treated group compared to placebo, and changes in weight were similar in both groups.

"In addition, the choice of a low-dose contraceptive resulted in a low occurrence of estrogen-related side effects like nausea, headaches, and breast tenderness, in addition to weight gain," she added. "If women experience fewer side effects and can treat their acne, they may be less likely to discontinue pill use, to switch to a less effective method of birth control, or to use no birth control at all."

Dr. Thiboutot was one of the investigators in the study, which took place at 14 sites in the U.S., Canada and Australia. The journal article, titled "A 20-microgram OC for Moderate Acne Treatment," was co-authored by Dr. David Archer, Jones Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia; Dr. Andre Lemay, Ph.D., Endocrinologie de la Reproduction and Pav. St-Francois d' Assise, Centre Hospitalier University of Quebec in Quebec; Dr. Ken Washenik, Ph.D., New York University Medical Center in New York City; Dr. Janet Roberts, Northwest Cutaneous Research Specialists in Portland, Oregon; and Dr. Diane D. Harrison, Wyeth-Ayerst Pharmaceuticals in St. Davids, Pennsylvania.

SOURCE: Penn State College of Medicine

Related Links: Alesse and Wyeth-Ayerst Pharmaceuticals.

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