Yasmin Vs. Ovcon 35 and recent acne problems?

Smorgan128 · 01-07-2005, 10:54 PM

When i was diagnosed in November my doctor put me on Ovcon 35 to regulate my periods. When i went in for my follow up yesterday I happened ot mention that since my diagnosis I have noticed more acne on my face and my NP seems to think it's the BCP so on my next pack she wants me to try Yasmin. I'm nervous about switching them since the reason we chose ovcon in the first place was it's the BCP that's been tested on slightly larger women. I'm also nervous about S/E etc.

Chrissy · 01-08-2005, 07:10 PM

I have trouble with acne as one of my pcos s/e. I am greatly helped by bc pills. In the past it has been the only thing that remotely cleared my skin. I am ultra sensitive to progesterone and during my pregnancy my face was worse than ever. The female hormone progestererone is quite high in pregnancy. I also do poorly on high progestin pills and I have tried many to rule this out. Yasmin was not good for my skin and gave me other side effects I didn't care for. Ovcon and Yasmin are almost opposites as far as hormone makeup. Yasmin does have an anti androgen component in its progestin that is comparable to about 25mg. of spiro. (used for acne in strengths of 50mg. to 200 mg. a day). Ovcon has more of an estrogenic effect and is one of the lowest in progestin effect. It is middle ground in androgen. I doubt the ovcon is making your acne worse but another pill could if it were the wrong pill.

Some women have great luck with Yasmin so maybe someone with weight concerns can speak about this. If you like the ovcon you could always add spiro. to the pill (I have done this and it worked beautifully) You could always try a less androgenic pill such as ortho cyclen before trying Yasmin. It also has a lower progestin level.

Many women experience acne and believe it to be testosterone but progesterone plays a large role in female acne. My neighbor is a dermatologist and explained how progestin that is unbalanced with estrogen will result in hormonal acne

Hope this helps. Here's wishing for clear skin for us all! Best of luck with your choice!