Acne Clear Ortho Tri-Cyclen

 There are various ways of treating acne, one of which is hormonally.  In order to do this, the treatment must do one of three things.  These are:

1. Prevent the formation of androgens (male hormones) in the bloodstream
2. Reduce the level of androgens circulating in the bloodstream
3. Block androgens from reaching receptors

Oral contraceptives are actually capable of all three actions and are therefore very useful in the treatment of acne.

All oral contraceptives are anti-androgenic.  This means they increase another sex hormone which in turn binds to the androgens and prevents them from circulating.  Additionally, they reduce the level of testosterone in the blood stream.  Finally, they prevent the formation of additional androgens.  Testosterone must be converted to dihydrotestosterone in order to function.  Dihydrotestosterone is the hormone responsible for acne as well as hair loss on the scalp and hair growth on the face and body.  Contraceptive pills prevent the enzyme which carries out this conversion from functioning which in turn prevents acne and skin blemishes, as well as pregnancy.

Although all oral contraceptive pills work in this way, only one has received US Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of acne.  Ortho-tricyclen was first introduced to the United States in 1960 and is marketed by Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical Incorporated.  It has been clinically proven to help maintain clearer skin and studies have shown that 9 out of 10 women tested saw an improvement in their skin condition when taking Ortho-tricyclen. 

Oral contraceptives are shown to be 98.8% effective in preventing pregnancy and it is estimated that 65 million women – or 6% of all women of reproductive age – take birth control pills.