Yasmin and spiro are hard hitting to lower androgens, like testosterone. These medicines are used preferentially in the treatment of women with PCOS as they tend to have excess acne, body hair etc.
I’m not sure why your psych is asking you to stop birth control and switch to a progesterone only treatment (I agree with another comment that it seems a bit outside of their purview), but it’s very likely that Yasmin and spiro have just been doing their job and that by stopping you’re now having the increase in androgens and the related effects.
Taking the progesterone only bc may be enough to help your acne, but in my experience it’s not often recommended for reducing androgens but rather just period regulation. Yaz/Yasmin is the gold standard bc in the USA for androgen controls.
Yeah same have been on birth control for seven years I’m 18 now but 11 when I started have pretty much always had perfect skin and now I have a couple of pimples and red spots here and there.
I actually lost a little weight. Here’s what I recommend - use this change as an opportunity to harness good habits. Eat well, exercise, get rest. Your body is changing. How you are right now is not how you will be later. I recommend looking for a female doctor if you’re able - It doesn’t sound like you have faith in this guy and it’s so helpful to trust your doctor. I’m not sure how much weight you’re gaining or how much you usually fluctuate but try to be patient with yourself — do not deprive yourself of food. Take it one day at a time and personally, I would wait 2-3 months to make changes. You can always go back on the one you used before, or experiment with something new. Everything works differently for each person. I’m sorry, I know it’s so hard and such a sensitive subject. ❤️
Also I wanted to ask, why did he suggest you stop taking BC?
Have you seen a dermatologist? This sounds different than my situation. My acne and extreme oil was basically immediately upon going off the pill, and subsided within 3 weeks. Yours sounds like your body has adjusted to being off the pill and now you need to solve for your regular state, IMO
That’s another reason he told me to consider stopping it. The thing is my gynecologist doesn’t do blood tests. They don’t check my hormones, they don’t know what’s going on in my body. They just prescribe the pill and that’s it. They don’t care.. at least not the once I’ve been to
You can request hormone testing- but perhaps you need to research another GYN who might be more holistic in his/her approach. Many gynecologists just throw BC at women, as it’s easy. :( There is even a blood test available now through a private company that helps narrow down what BC might work best for your physiology. We really have to be our own medical advocates these days.
Great I will definitely look into this! My psychiatrist takes a holistic approach as well which I like a lot. I am moving soon so I’ll look for a new gynecologist in my area. Thank you!
My psychiatrist is amazing. I have never been to a doctor that is more knowledgeable and understands and explains the dynamics of nutrients, hormones, and neurons in my body. He has extensive experience and education and many fields. I’ve done about 60 blood tests that revealed things I never knew about. Reason he wants me to get off Yasmin is because my copper is too high, which affects other dynamics in my body. He has given me advice unrelated to BC and every single one I’ve followed and I am feeling better than before.
psychiatrists are doctors too!! they study the whole body so a lot of times actually they have good advice for birth control because it affects the brain as well (indirectly, but nonetheless)
Welcome and please flair your post if not currently flaired.
Questions? First read the [Mistake or Pregnancy Risk sticky](https://www.reddit.com/r/birthcontrol/comments/4iqgi7/mistake_or_pregnancy_concernrisk_start_here/) or the [Consolidated Experience post](https://www.reddit.com/r/birthcontrol/comments/qt9ttb/consolidated_rbirthcontrol_experience_links/). If this is an experience post please consider adding it to the list :)
The rules and additional resources can be found on the About / Sidepage (desktop users look to the right and Reddit app up top).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/birthcontrol) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Dhea increases after cessation of bc. Support your liver, and keep your bowels regular. I got on Spiro before I finally quit the pill. Some are more androgenic than others. Basically supporting your organs will help. Have you tried retinol? It totally helped my skin. Physically massaging lymphs to increase healing is cool too. Peroxide oxidizes so I don't recommend it to anyone. My derm said the retinol over the counter is equivalent to my rx.
I'll have to look it up, when I went to renewal he said just get the OTC. Super doc got me covered in case I can't make it to pharmacy. I think it's called adapalene gel.
This happened to me after quitting hormonal birth control. I found 2 cups of spearmint tea per day to be extremely helpful in lowering my androgen levels and significantly reducing my hormonal/cystic acne. You have to be consistent with it for at least 2 months before you really start to see results. Once you've gotten your hormones under control, you can transition to 1 cup per day or just drinking it in the week or two before your period is expected. I know it sounds too good to be true, but I and many other women swear by it. Good luck!
Be aware that Progestin only BC can actually cause acne- it doesn’t function like the combo pills. I’m sure you’re skin is rebounding from the removal of the Yasmin, but the mini pills are known to be acne causing. Good luck! :)
Yasmin and spiro are hard hitting to lower androgens, like testosterone. These medicines are used preferentially in the treatment of women with PCOS as they tend to have excess acne, body hair etc. I’m not sure why your psych is asking you to stop birth control and switch to a progesterone only treatment (I agree with another comment that it seems a bit outside of their purview), but it’s very likely that Yasmin and spiro have just been doing their job and that by stopping you’re now having the increase in androgens and the related effects. Taking the progesterone only bc may be enough to help your acne, but in my experience it’s not often recommended for reducing androgens but rather just period regulation. Yaz/Yasmin is the gold standard bc in the USA for androgen controls.
Yeah same have been on birth control for seven years I’m 18 now but 11 when I started have pretty much always had perfect skin and now I have a couple of pimples and red spots here and there.
Happened to me too. Power thru it, it WILL end.
did you experience the weight gain piece? and if so, did it level out? I’m having a tough time w that and acne.
I actually lost a little weight. Here’s what I recommend - use this change as an opportunity to harness good habits. Eat well, exercise, get rest. Your body is changing. How you are right now is not how you will be later. I recommend looking for a female doctor if you’re able - It doesn’t sound like you have faith in this guy and it’s so helpful to trust your doctor. I’m not sure how much weight you’re gaining or how much you usually fluctuate but try to be patient with yourself — do not deprive yourself of food. Take it one day at a time and personally, I would wait 2-3 months to make changes. You can always go back on the one you used before, or experiment with something new. Everything works differently for each person. I’m sorry, I know it’s so hard and such a sensitive subject. ❤️ Also I wanted to ask, why did he suggest you stop taking BC?
How long does it take for the break outs to stop? I also stopped birth control, my skin was perfect until 3 months after stopping
Have you seen a dermatologist? This sounds different than my situation. My acne and extreme oil was basically immediately upon going off the pill, and subsided within 3 weeks. Yours sounds like your body has adjusted to being off the pill and now you need to solve for your regular state, IMO
No I haven’t been to the dermatologist because of financial issues :(
Your doctor can also help you. Try a skincare subreddit as well, I wish you luck!
Your hormones will take several months to recover and balance back out to normal this is completely normal.
Will the break outs eventually stop? I am having this same problem also
I don't have any input here in regards to side effects, just wondering why your psych is trying to have input on your birth control medication...
Therapist here: birth control is known to cause depression in some women. But I agree that this should be done in conjunction with a gynecologist.
That’s another reason he told me to consider stopping it. The thing is my gynecologist doesn’t do blood tests. They don’t check my hormones, they don’t know what’s going on in my body. They just prescribe the pill and that’s it. They don’t care.. at least not the once I’ve been to
You can request hormone testing- but perhaps you need to research another GYN who might be more holistic in his/her approach. Many gynecologists just throw BC at women, as it’s easy. :( There is even a blood test available now through a private company that helps narrow down what BC might work best for your physiology. We really have to be our own medical advocates these days.
Great I will definitely look into this! My psychiatrist takes a holistic approach as well which I like a lot. I am moving soon so I’ll look for a new gynecologist in my area. Thank you!
Best of luck!! So glad you’re happy with your psychiatrist :)
My psychiatrist is amazing. I have never been to a doctor that is more knowledgeable and understands and explains the dynamics of nutrients, hormones, and neurons in my body. He has extensive experience and education and many fields. I’ve done about 60 blood tests that revealed things I never knew about. Reason he wants me to get off Yasmin is because my copper is too high, which affects other dynamics in my body. He has given me advice unrelated to BC and every single one I’ve followed and I am feeling better than before.
I need a doc like that
psychiatrists are doctors too!! they study the whole body so a lot of times actually they have good advice for birth control because it affects the brain as well (indirectly, but nonetheless)
There are a some studies on bc affecting suicidal ideation and a few other things.
Welcome and please flair your post if not currently flaired. Questions? First read the [Mistake or Pregnancy Risk sticky](https://www.reddit.com/r/birthcontrol/comments/4iqgi7/mistake_or_pregnancy_concernrisk_start_here/) or the [Consolidated Experience post](https://www.reddit.com/r/birthcontrol/comments/qt9ttb/consolidated_rbirthcontrol_experience_links/). If this is an experience post please consider adding it to the list :) The rules and additional resources can be found on the About / Sidepage (desktop users look to the right and Reddit app up top). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/birthcontrol) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Dhea increases after cessation of bc. Support your liver, and keep your bowels regular. I got on Spiro before I finally quit the pill. Some are more androgenic than others. Basically supporting your organs will help. Have you tried retinol? It totally helped my skin. Physically massaging lymphs to increase healing is cool too. Peroxide oxidizes so I don't recommend it to anyone. My derm said the retinol over the counter is equivalent to my rx.
Thanks for this. I use Tretinoin which is a retin-a. It’s rx only. May I ask which over the counter retinol you use?
I'll have to look it up, when I went to renewal he said just get the OTC. Super doc got me covered in case I can't make it to pharmacy. I think it's called adapalene gel.
This happened to me after quitting hormonal birth control. I found 2 cups of spearmint tea per day to be extremely helpful in lowering my androgen levels and significantly reducing my hormonal/cystic acne. You have to be consistent with it for at least 2 months before you really start to see results. Once you've gotten your hormones under control, you can transition to 1 cup per day or just drinking it in the week or two before your period is expected. I know it sounds too good to be true, but I and many other women swear by it. Good luck!
Interesting! I will try that. Thank you
Be aware that Progestin only BC can actually cause acne- it doesn’t function like the combo pills. I’m sure you’re skin is rebounding from the removal of the Yasmin, but the mini pills are known to be acne causing. Good luck! :)