Ortho Micronor is a progestin oral contraceptive. Such contraceptives also are commonly called mini-pills. Progestins prevent pregnancy by causing changes at a woman's uterus opening that make it hard for sperm to reach her eggs and keep her eggs from developing fully. The mini-pill also makes it tougher for any fertilized eggs to attach to the uterus wall, according to the Mayo Clinic. All birth control pills have possible side effects. One of these with Micronor and other progestin oral contraceptives is acne.
Side Effects
Acne is listed as one of Micronor's less common side effects by the Mayo Clinic. Other less common side effects include hot flashes, hair loss or gain on the body and scalp, hot flashes, depression and trouble sleeping. More common side effects include changes in menstrual bleeding, weight gain, mood changes, fatigue and dizziness.
Active Ingredient
Micronor's active ingredient is 0.35 mg norethindrone per tablet, according to the National Institutes of Health. Norethindrone is one of the progestins in birth control pills that have a moderate androgen effect as opposed to the strongest androgen effect, according to AcneGuide.com. Androgens are male hormones that are present in both sexes. These hormones may over-stimulate oil glands as well as skin hair follicles and cause acne flares, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Blocked Pores
If androgens over-stimulate oil glands, the excess oil can contribute to blocked pores. This will lead to whiteheads or blackheads. Acne bacteria can proliferate in the oil-rich environment within pores, which leads to red pimples or pustules.
SHBG
Progestin-only oral contraceptives may decrease a person's sex hormone-binding globulin concentrations, according to the National Institutes of Health. A 1996 study published in the journal "Contraception" found that the lower a study subject's SHBG level, the higher the subject's acne rating was.
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