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Pills are sometimes used as hormonal therapy treatment for individuals with acne. Because acne outbreak is regarded as an effect of imbalanced hormones, pills are administered in some cases to correct the hormonal imbalance thereby controlling the development of acne. There are some side effects of pills in acne treatment and not all birth control pills are considered effective in treating acne.

The use of pills in acne treatment is primarily to control the increase and activity of androgenic or male hormones which activates excessive oil production by the sebaceous glands found in the skin. Estrogen-containing pills are used to counteract these effects. The use of estrogen-containing pills is more effective in hormonal therapy because the other constituents contribute to the well-balanced state of estrogen in it compared to estrogen alone.

There are several side effects of pills in acne treatment. It is always best to consult a dermatologist or physician prior to taking oral contraceptives to treat acne problems. Proper knowledge and background about hormonal therapy should be gained to anticipate the usual side effects that accompany oral intake of pills.

Common side effects of pills in acne treatment and hormonal therapy include nausea, breast tenderness, weight gain and menstrual spotting. Although most of the side effects mentioned are generally minor and do not occur frequently, more serious side effects are also possible. The most serious risks include blood clots, stroke and even heart attack.

Smoking cigarettes can increase these serious side effects of pills in acne treatment especially cardiovascular side effects. Cardiovascular side effects are extremely serious and the possible outcomes are often fatal. Patients who are taking oral contraceptives are advised not to smoke.

In one clinical study, nearly nine out of the ten women who were administered with the pill Ortho Tri-cyclen showed great improvements in their skin. But the use of pill is generally not recommended to all patients. The side effects of pills in acne treatment are the first to be considered by a doctor or dermatologist prior to prescribing it to patients. Moreover, treatment responses of patients usually vary. There are some who will respond well with minimal to no side effects and there are some who are at risk to more serious side effects.