Can the birth control pill cause acne?

Question

I have been on the birth control pill for 6 years. Five months ago, I stopped my pill (due to the pandemic) and started again about two weeks ago. The problem is that I started to get acne quite a lot (which I didn't have before). Is it possible that this is due to taking the pill again? Should I stop taking it?

Naji-tom Samaha · Accepted Answer

Hello Ms., thank you for your question! Acne is a possible side effect of most hormonal contraceptives. However, this effect may be temporary. If you see that the acne gets worse, or doesn't go away after 8-12 weeks (you'll need to be patient, but it's often not as long as that), talk to your pharmacist who may be able to suggest options, or contact your doctor if needed. Hello, thank you for your question! Hopefully, this has been helpful to you, please don't hesitate if you have any further questions!