Treatments and supplements · Combined oral contraceptives

Do birth control pills help with hair loss or hormonal acne?

What we can tell you today: how thoroughly this has been studied.

Well studied

6 studies, including one that brings together the results of several trials in people.

5 Repeated evidence 1 study

4 Large controlled trial 1 study

3 Small study in people 4 studies

This says how thoroughly something has been studied — not whether it works for you. What each study actually found is in the study itself, and in the plain-language write-ups we are adding.

Appears under: Menopause and hormones · Skin aging · Hair and nails

The studies

5 Repeated evidence Effects of low-dose norethindrone acetate plus ethinyl estradiol (0.5 mg/2.5 microg) in women with postmenopausal symptoms: updated analysis of three randomized, controlled trials.
2006 · Clinical therapeutics · 1,265 participants
4 Large controlled trial Does hormone therapy improve age-related skin changes in postmenopausal women? A randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled multicenter study assessing the effects of norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol in the improvement of mild to moderate age-related skin changes in postmenopausal women.
2008 · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 165 participants
3 Small study in people Combined oral contraceptives plus spironolactone compared with metformin in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a one-year randomized clinical trial.
2017 · European journal of endocrinology · 22 participants
3 Small study in people 17-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 5 gene polymorphism (-71A/G HSD17B5 SNP) and treatment with oral contraceptive pills in PCOS women without metabolic comorbidities.
2012 · Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of t · 32 participants
3 Small study in people The importance of adequate serum ferritin levels during oral cyproterone acetate and ethinyl oestradiol treatment of diffuse androgen-dependent alopecia in women.
1992 · Clinical endocrinology
3 Small study in people Combination gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and oral contraceptive therapy improves treatment of hirsute women with ovarian hyperandrogenism.
1995 · Fertility and sterility