Oral Contraceptives for Acne Treatment: US Dermatologists’ Knowledge, Comfort, and Prescribing Practices
The use of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), which can be an effective treatment of acne in women, is poorly understood among many dermatologists. In this study, we surveyed 116 US dermatologists about their knowledge, comfort, and prescribing practices pertaining to the use of OCPs. The majority of respondents had previously prescribed OCPs and believed they were an effective treatment of acne in women. Despite adverse effects such as increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) associated with OCPs, especially those containing drospirenone, our study indicated that many dermatologists believe the benefits of increased treatment efficacy may outweigh the risks.
Practice Points
- In prior reports, oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) were found to be as effective as systemic antibiotics in reducing acne lesion counts at 6 months of treatment.
- Most dermatologists have prescribed OCPs and most believed they were an effective treatment for acne in women.
Results
Demographics
Participant demographics as predictors of OCP prescription practices are described in Table 1.
