hormone IUD and acne

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-09-2004
hormone IUD and acne
5
Thu, 04-01-2004 - 6:24pm
I have only ever used condoms and the shot for birth control. I tried the pill once but was puking so much at first that I stopped taking it and never really got to use it.

Now I'm thinking about the IUD. I've read a lot of posts already which have been so helpful. I don't like hormones and would like to have the copper IUD but the cramping and heavy cycles aren't great selling points. I talked with my Gyno and she gave me a bookelt on Mirena (it's the hormonal IUD for those who don't know or if I spelled it wrong). The hormone levels in it seem low enough that I may make an exception. The booklet has a lot of info but the acne bit is a concern.

I am 25, no kids (never even been pregnant), 30-35 day cycles and 4 day periods (it's quite nice), and I have acne now that is worse than when I was 18. Right now I'm applying Metro Gel for the acne. I began at the new year and it finally seems to be doing some good but it is ridiculous that I have what I have at 25. I have a healthy diet and keep my oily face clean. Even my brothers who had acne horribly in high school have clearer faces than I do now.

My problem is that no one has mentioned anything about acne with the hormonal IUD. I don't want to spend the money to have it put in if it makes me so ugly that my face will be the best form of birth control. My beau, after I told him about the acne side effect, said I should get the copper IUD. Obviously my acne is a big issue (not just with him but with myself too) and I don't want to worsen it.

Any women out there who are trying/have tried the hormonal IUD when they had adult acne? How did it effect you? Any women out there with acne that they didn't have before having the hormonal IUD inserted? This is the last factor in my decision and I need all the input I can get.

Thanks,

MsDorkness

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2003
Thu, 04-01-2004 - 7:04pm
I had a copper IUD, so I can't give you any info about the Mirena based on personal experience. I did find an article (http://www.mirena-us.com/pvs1/pri/pdf/reprint01.pdf) that says 3.5% of women complained of acne 3 months after getting Mirena. 2.3% of women discontinued using the Mirena due to acne.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2003
Thu, 04-01-2004 - 9:16pm
Sorry I don't know anything about the IUD. But about the acne... that I do know about :) Has your doctor ever suggested spironolactone? I've only been on it 2 1/2 weeks and I've seen a huge difference. It lowers testosterone. My dermatologist had been wanting to put me on accutane but I was resistant to that because of the side effects. Just an idea, because it sounds like it is affecting your self esteem a lot and I know that feeling all too well. Good luck!
Avatar for kissmedeadly
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Fri, 04-02-2004 - 8:32am
I know you mentioned that you cant be on the pill, but with ortho evera- the patch, I did not have one break out in thr 6 months I was on it. My face never looked so good, and I didnt have fear if I forgot to wash my face one day, like I did before. I need to get off the patch for unrelated reasons, so I am a bit disappointed that I wont have the benefits of clear skin.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2004
Mon, 05-17-2004 - 11:30am
I know this message was posted over a month ago, so it's probably not relevant, but thought I would offer my experience. I had the Mirena IUD inserted a month ago. I too, have only used condoms (no shot) due to problems with the pill (blood clots both times, first time mis-diagnosed)and have FVL. This was the only option left for me, as I can't have anything with estrogen. I have no children, so this was a decision my DH and I had to make together, but we decided this was our best option. (We have been married almost 2 years and together for 6, and we have never had intercourse without a condom, and are not ready for children for at least a couple of more years.) I am also 25 years old and have acne. Mine is also worse now than it ever was when I was a teenager. I had the IUD inserted and within a week my face was broken out horribly, with huge pimples on my chin and forehead. I attributed this to the Mirena, but really, who knows. Since then, my face has cleared considerably and I am doing much much better. My only problem now is spotting. I am on coumadin for life due to a previous blood clot and PE and am homozygous for FVL, so my periods are very very heavy. I have been spotting heavily every day since insertion, but the cramping ended after the first 2 days. So far so good mostly, and I am trying not to let the spotting interfere with my relationship with DH (I am far more bothered by it than he is lol) and I would say that so far I am happy with my choice, and am looking forward to possibly not having periods, for awhile at least! : )

Thanks for letting me vent. : )
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 05-17-2004 - 3:24pm
i remember thinking when would my spotting stop....i've had the iud for about 9 months and basicly my periods are 2-3 days of spotting....so hang in there....