Hormones often drive acne development, which is why teenagers get pimples as their hormones become active. Adult women also suffer from breakouts -- half of all women will have acne sometime in adulthood, according to Acne.org. Although conventional treatments generally work best for acne, if you're a woman your dermatologist may recommend an oral contraceptive such as Tri-Sprintec to help you clear your skin.
Oil and Pimples
Your skin's oil comes from your sebaceous glands, located beneath the skin on your face and elsewhere on your body, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The sebaceous glands produce this oil in response to signals from hormones called androgens, which are male-type hormones. When the sebaceous glands respond to these signals by producing too much oil, your skin gets too oily and the excess clogs your pores, leading to pimples.
How Tri-Sprintec Works
Tri-Sprintec and other oral contraceptives work to curb acne by overcoming the signals telling the sebaceous glands to produce oil, according to MayoClinic.com. Tri-Sprintec contains ethinyl estradiol, a form of estrogen, and norgestimate, a form of progesterone. Together, they counter the effects of androgens on the sebaceous glands, leading to less oil and ultimately, fewer breakouts.
Side Effects
New users of Tri-Sprintec may experience breakthrough bleeding, especially in the first three months of use. In addition, taking oral contraceptives such as Tri-Sprintec can increase your risk of stroke, heart attack or blood clots, especially if you smoke or are older than 35. Some Tri-Sprintec users experience nausea, bloating and stomach cramps, breast pain and swelling, new facial freckles or hair loss, according to Drugs.com.
Research
Oral contraceptives such as Tri-Sprintec that contain norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol can treat acne vulgaris effectively, medical research indicates. In one study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in 1997, researchers looked at 160 women taking oral contraceptives with those ingredients. That study reported that overall, acne lesions declined by more than half within six months, and inflammatory lesions dropped by 63 percent.
Considerations
In most cases, Tri-Sprintec won't work right away to clear your acne, which may in fact get worse before it gets better, according to MayoClinic.com. In addition, your dermatologist most likely will want you to try first-line acne medications such as antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide before prescribing Tri-Sprintec for your acne.
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