Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Volume 58, Issue 5 , Pages 781-786, May 2008

Acne and oral contraceptives: Update on women's health screening guidelines

  • Jason E. Frangos, BA

      Affiliations

    • The Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
  • ,
  • Christina N. Alavian, MD

      Affiliations

    • University of Massachusetts Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
  • ,
  • Alexa B. Kimball, MD, MPH

      Affiliations

    • Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Alexa B. Kimball, MD, MPH, Director, Clinical Unit for Research Trials in Skin, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford St, #246 Dermatology, Boston, MA 02114.

Accepted 28 December 2007. published online 25 March 2008.

Oral contraceptives (OCs) have been shown to be safe and effective for the treatment of acne in most women of childbearing potential, and several have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for this purpose. However, dermatologists have historically been reluctant to prescribe OCs for acne because of long-standing recommendations requiring a preliminary pelvic examination and Papanicolaou smear before initiation of therapy. In recent guideline shifts, expert panels and major health organizations have reached a consensus that OC provision no longer necessitates the performance of a pelvic examination and Papanicolaou smear. These new guideline revisions could change the way dermatologists treat acne in their healthy female patients of child-bearing age.

Abbreviations used: ACOG, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, ACS, American Cancer Society, AMI, acute myocardial infarction, HPV, human papillomavirus, OC, oral contraceptive, USPSTF, US Preventive Services Task Force, VTE, venous thromboembolism, WHO, World Health Organization

 

 Funding sources: None.

 Disclosure: Dr Kimball is a consultant to Intendis. Mr Frangos and Dr Alavian have no conflicts of interest to declare.

PII: S0190-9622(08)00135-7

doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2007.12.040

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Volume 58, Issue 5 , Pages 781-786, May 2008