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Bayer Warned by FDA Over Birth Control Pills

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A cautionary letter was sent by the Food and Drug Administration to Bayer Heath Care last month warning of deviations in quality control in the production of its birth control pills in Germany for the United States, according to the New York Times.

Blood clots, strokes and other health concerns have long been associated with birth control pills. And Bayer is now the subject of 74 lawsuits from women experiencing these problems after using Yaz and Yasmin, the Times said. The pharmaceutical company also drew a crackdown from the FDA in February over claims in TV ads that Yaz helped clear up acne and premenstrual symptoms.

“Whether this turns out to be a serious issue or not, when a drug is stigmatized in public, people just withdraw from taking it,” said Martin Brunninger, a European analyst, according to the Times.

What is surprising is that in the more than one hundred online comments in the Times story, most of them are scathing in their critique of hormonal birth control methods.

“I am 59 years old and a registered nurse,” says Katherine from Boston, about the Times story. “Mine was the first generation of women to use the pill. I never trusted it.”

In a blistering but candid letter to the editor of StLToday.com, in St. Louis, Sherry Tyree, responding to the Times story, wrote that Natural Family Planning is used around the world and has no side effects. The reason it isn’t covered in the media is that “nobody makes money from NFP. You won’t see ads for it on TV the way you’ve seen those Yaz ads. Your doctor isn’t going to teach you about it: he’s got 15 minutes with you until he sees his next patient.”

Women in Berwyn, Cicero, Stickney, N. Riverside, and other western Chicago suburbs with questions about the risks of various kinds of birth control methods and natural alternatives can call WomanCare at 708-795-6000. Or go to WomanCare Services.

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December 2, 2009
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Do Birth Control Pills Help Your Acne?

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Since birth control pills or oral contraceptives are popular with many people, there just might be a chance that this approach to treating acne might gain ground. Birth control pills or oral contraceptives can control androgens from performing their tasks. But does it really work? There’s only one way to find out.

When to Use Birth Control Pills?

The pill helps to even out the irregular flow levels of your estrogens and progesterone. You will want to use birth control pills if:

1) You regularly engage in sex with one or more partners and need oral contraceptives.

2) You regulate your monthly cycle through oral hormonal therapy.

3) You are taking the anti-acne drug Accutane.

The pill alone is all that’s needed by women who have mild acne and need oral contraceptive protection at the same time. Acne that is moderate to severe requires stronger treatment measures – an oral contraceptive which can be used in tandem with either topical or oral acne therapies.

Alternative Contraceptive Methods Against Acne

If for moral or religious grounds you are unwilling to take the pill or switch to other contraceptive methods, you may want to consider other curative options such as anti-androgens or physical therapy.

The other methods of hormonal contraception like the birth control patches and rings affect acne differently and can sometimes aggravate it. Depo-Provera, a contraceptive injectable which contains synthetic progesterone, can even initiate a severe acne breakout from time to time.

Accutane (isotretinoin) is a very potent anti-acne preparation that has been linked to severe birth deformities. Women undergoing Accutane treatment are often prescribed birth control pills to stop pregnancy from occurring. Apart from abstaining from sex, the first line of defense in birth control for women taking Accutane is the pill.

Taking birth control pills for acne treatment has its share of advantages and disadvantages. Be on the safe side. Seek your doctor’s advice to know what is the right birth control pill for you.

How Does Birth Control Pills Work on Acne Control?

The role of birth control pills in acne treatment is to keep androgens from affecting the oil glands. Birth control pills contain estrogen which regulates the female’s monthly cycle to discourage ovulation. Apart from inhibiting ovulation, estrogens help treat acne by:

1) Decreasing the release of free testosterone or androgen from the ovary

2) Preventing the released free testosterone from stimulating the oil glands to manufacture and release excess oil.

Estrogens can diminish the rising amount of androgen in your system by releasing great amounts of SHBG proteins that “capture” and stick to the androgens, preventing them from stimulating the oil glands to release excess oil that triggers acne.

The most effective oral contraceptives in the treatment of acne are the ones that have estrogen and progestin, a man-made progesterone, working in tandem. The standalone progestin pill, also known as the minipill, is a good oral contraceptive with less adverse reactions. The more recent progestins have the capability to show great improvements against acne.

Wong Darren is an online medical researcher on acne treatment and skin care. He has completed 20 Acne Medication Reviews and 30 Acne Treatment Reviews. For more information, visit his website: Acne Treatment 2009 now.

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December 1, 2009
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Birth Control Pill Ad Crackdown by FDA

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Can birth control pills solve your every problem, including headaches? You might think so, judging from some TV commercials.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now says that a drug company has gone too far, and the agency has ordered Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals to run a $20 million ad campaign correcting claims that their popular birth control pill Yaz can clear up acne, general mood problems, irritability, anxiety, and premenstrual symptoms.

In a Feb. 10 article titled, “A Birth Control Pill that Promised Too Much,” the New York Times said that the FDA’s action was “an unusual crackdown on deceptive consumer drug advertising.” The FDA action was joined by attorneys general in 27 states.

But the $20 million ad campaign that Bayer must run is only “chump change” for the pharmaceutical giant, according to Bruce L. Lambert, a professor of pharmacy administration at the University of Illinois at Chicago, as quoted in the Pharma Marketing Network Forums. For them, he said it was “just the cost of doing business.”

Indeed, drug companies spent $5 billion in direct-to-consumer advertising in 2007, which is more than twice the total FDA budget, according to the popular blog Cab Drollery. Since some of its more popular products are nearing their patent expirations and opening manufacturing to generic competitors, Bayer has piled on the advertising to increase its market share.

“Obviously that $5 billion ad budget was money well-spent for the pharmaceutical companies,” Cab Drollery said, “but hardly beneficial to the people who watched the commercials….”

Advertising for oral contraceptives includes little about various possible side effects such as breast cancer, bloodclot formation, and cardiovascular disease.

Women in Berwyn, Oak Park, Stickney, LaGrange, Cicero, Westchester, and nearby towns can learn more about the true effects of oral contraceptives by contacting WomanCare Services in Berwyn, IL.
WomanCare Services offers help to women facing unintended pregnancies in the near southwest Chicago area. Go to WomanCare Services. Or call 708-795-6000.

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November 30, 2009
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Birth Control Pills And Acne: Clear Mind Or Clear Skin?

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Before you read this article, I am duty-bound to tell you that this article is for women only (though I am sure men will be curious to read it)!

To take or not to take birth control pills for controlling acne is a very sensitive topic, if not controversial! Is taking birth control pills to control acne is right for you? How does birth control pill work on acne? Can hormones in the birth control pill stop acne from forming? At least thousands of such mad trains must be rushing the mind of a woman, who is consuming the pills with the twin important purposes! Every pill creates fresh doubts, fears and complications in her thought process. Because research on this subject is still a kindergarten stuff and the fear of side-effects hang prominently in her mind.

Moral aspect of taking birth control pills is in itself a never ending debating topic. If it is intended to control acne, why it should be related to birth control pills? The alliance looks unholy. Is it considered as a cost-saving device? And if the birth control pills were to fail from the original purpose for which they are intended and acne appears on the face, who will protect the psychological balance of that women? One such bad case, is sufficient to pour cold water on the result of thousand good cases!

The skin of many acne prone women have responded positively and have indeed showed marked improvement, thanks to the intake of birth control pills. For the glow of the skin, women are likely to consider that no sacrifice, no experiment is great. What checks can be applied if such individuals start consuming birth control pills, to whom they are not intended at all! Apart from the humor element involved in these observations, over the years this problem is going to assume serious dimensions and certain tangible steps will have to be well thought out to check this.

When you take mild dose of contraceptives orally, estrogen-related side effects- headache, nausea and breast tenderness- may show their weak presence. The weight gain is also low.

So do you take birth control pills with the cure of acne in your mind? Make your decision very carefully taking into account the risk factors. Just for the greed of curing acne, why to risk your body to heart attack, cancer of the breast or blood clots? If you are a smoker, the condition will still be worse. Your present state of depression may be due to this pill-taking! Many more side effects are waiting in the wings to take over-fluid retention, dark skin patches, bleeding in the vagina, to quote a few.

So, do you want a clear mind or a clear skin? The bargain may prove too hard, that it may give rise to psychological problems. Therefore, take each pill and put each step forward, with utmost caution, firstly by preparing your mind very well.

For, this is a mind over matter topic. Therefore, CAUTION!

This time, you need to consult not only the dermatologist, but your dear gynecologist first!



Ashish Jain writes about several different topics. For more information on acne visit http://www.acnetalks.com and also visit the main articles page: http://www.acnetalks.com/index.html To comment on this article visit: http://www.acnetalks.com/2006-06-30/birth-control-pills-and-acne-clear-mind-or-clear-skin.html

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November 27, 2009
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Birth Control Pills For Acne Treatment

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Other than specific acne treatment creams and gels, birth control pills can also be used to treat acne among women. In the early years, doctors were just conceptualizing the possibilities that oral contraceptives can be used to treat acne. These days however, there are already a great number of oral contraceptives that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as efficient acne treatment medications. These include Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Estrostep.

Not as the first option

Although birth control pills can be used to treat acne, dermatologists point out that these contraceptives should not be used as the first line of defense against acne breakouts. Such are prescribed by physicians only after careful consideration of the woman’s reproductive capabilities and needs. In most cases, such is only recommended only after all the other topical and systemic medications for acne manifestations have been tried and tested. This can also be used if the woman with acne really wants to use birth control anyway.

According to experts, birth control pills should be used with other forms of acne treatment methods. The medications that are usually paired with oral contraceptives are topical retinoids and other forms of treatments that make use of benzoyl peroxide.

How oral contraceptives work against acne

Most birth control pills contain certain amount of progestin and estrogen. These pills work by altering the natural hormonal patterns of females using the estrogen ingredient – ethinyl etradiol. They decrease the amount of testosterone in the body and prevent acne breakouts caused by hormonal imbalances. Once testosterone production is reduced, the skin’s oil glands also produce less amount of oil. As a result, plugging and clogging of the pores of the skin can be reduced, if not totally prevented.

Women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are more prone to acne breakouts. In these cases, birth control pills can be thoroughly effective in clearing the lesions and scars caused by the syndrome. Birth control pills which have progesterone ingredients can also reduce the breakout activity by decreasing the amount of androgen hormones in the bloodstream. Aside from clearing acne, oral contraceptives can also reduce the excessive hair growth caused by PCOS.

Birth control pills should be taken on a daily basis. During the first three weeks of the month, you should take the “active” pills. The placebo pills are then taken on the last week, during the time when menstruation occurs as well.

Some possible side effects

The side effects of birth control pills may vary from one person to another. Others do not experience side effects while others may suffer from serious illnesses. Some patients report of nausea, weight gain, breast tenderness, menstrual spotting, and mood swings. A few studies also reported that oral contraceptives as acne treatment solutions can also cause blood clots, stroke, headaches, gallstones, increase in blood pressure, and depression.

Depending on the formulation and the ingredients of the pills, they can also cause an increase in the testosterone levels of the body. If this happens, the acne condition can eventually get worse. For best results, it will be best if you consult your doctor before taking any pill. Basically, there are many kinds of pills that you can use, depending on the cause and severity of your skin condition. The dermatologist knows which pill will be best for your acne problem.



Darren is an online medical researcher and webmaster of: 1. Acne Treatment 2. Acne Treatment Reviews 2009 Reviewed Acne Treatments: 1. Clearpores Reviews 2. Exposed Reviews 3. Acnezine Reviews 4. Zenmed Reviews 5. Proactiv Reviews 6. Vilantae Reviews Also, don’t forget to download your 70-page Acne Ebook for FREE!

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November 24, 2009
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