Conception/pregnancy and acne

[kyoto]

Dear mums of ED

I am 27 and would like advice from moms as I have no children of my own.

Basically I'd really like to start trying for a baby with my partner asap but I am very scared of coming off the pill (Dianette) as I suffered from cystic acne all of 2013 (out of the blue) and this is why I'm currently on this specific birth control pill.

I've read so many horror stories of acne coming back and apparently worse than before taking the pill once you stop?

I wouldn't be able to take antibiotics and most topicals if I got pregnant and I've tried changing my diet but I find diet doesn't affect my acne.

Any moms or moms-to-be in same situation? I'd love some tips.

My desire to have children should be stronger than fearing spots but it just affects my confidence so badly.

Thanks,

Kyoto

[juliemidwife]

Hi Kyoto

have you thought of seeing a herbalist about this? You may well have done so before hand, but I'm wondering if a medical herbalist could help you by both addressing your acne and also suggesting herbs that can help you get pregnant? I always recommend that women I'm looking after as a midwife see a medical herbalist to get input into their pregnancy care.

I'm sure some people on the forum can recommend a good herbalist - i'm new to the area so am not able to, unfortunately.

And when you do become pregnant, then I'd really suggest looking into your options about who you get your midwifery and birth care from. I work for a lovel organisation called Neighbourhood Midwives, and more and more women are choosing us instead of the NHS

all the best with it!

Julie

[mbennett]

I was on dianette and then changed to marvelon (which is also good for acne but without the side effects). When ttc the first couple of months were fine but then I did get really bad acne that didn't stop until I was over three months pregnant. The only thing I could use was the benzoyl peroxide, no antibiotics etc.

Second time round I was really worried about my skin but as it only took a couple of months of ttc so the spots never materialised.

No real advice other than to say it may get worse before it gets better, the good point to take from this is from the second trimester onwards & whilst breastfeeding my skin has been fine & you may be really lucky & get pregnant quickly.

There is not much point worrying about things you have no real control over

[Saffron]

I've had adult acne, sometimes better/worse. The best treatment I've ever had was IPL (intense pulsed light) at The Private Clinic on Harley Street. This made my skin worse for about a month, then REALLY fabulous for about 2 years! (You may need multiple treatments if your acne is severe. I had moderate acne, 2 or 3 treatments.)

I've also had pixel laser treatment, but I thought it was better at treating early signs of UV damage than acne (and it's WAY more expensive).

I had pregnancy acne too, but it cleared up after the first trimester. Have you ever used Proactive products? These use glycolic acid which both gentler and more effective against acne. It's a US brand, but you'd be able to buy it online. They have a UK website: https://www.proactiv.co.uk/?utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=proactiv%2Bacne&utm_campaign=Brand%2BOffers.

[kyoto]

Thanks, ladies!