Q:
I've been taking ovrette for about six months and since then I've had terrible breakouts on my back, shoulders, and face. I've been using retinA and emgel for years on all areas, and since I've been taking the birth control it hasn't been working very well. This is the third birth control I've tried, the previous two didn't have a negative effect on my skin, but for other reasons I need to take a progestin only pill. Is there anything I can do to make the breakouts go away, or is there anything the health center can do?
A:
This can be a frustrating problem since progestin-only contraceptives do not have the often beneficial effect of estrogen on the skin. We should be able to help you at the Student Health Center with some other prescription lotions for your skin and/or oral medication for acne if it is really inadvisable for you to be on a combination oral contraceptive. There are several to try including antibiotics and Accutane depending on the severity of the problem.
~The Doc
