To ask the GP to prescribe the pill for 15 year old DD’s acne

[Blancheduport]

She’s tried everything - antibiotics, Acnecide, Duac but she still has bad spots especially around her chin area. They get worse just before/ during her periods. I am worried about the side effects of the pill though. She’s currently a very happy, laidback 15 and a half year old and I’d hate anything to change that. All advice and opinions would be appreciated.

Well I'm seeing a paediatrician in two weeks re my 12 yo. So I'll feed back!

I was the same at 15, terrible acne, made me feel so self-conscious. Got prescribed the pill, it disappeared in a matter of weeks, like magic - was life-changing! Just wished it had happened earlier! But can't remember if it had any impact on my moods in terms of hormones etc.

I was prescribed pill as a teenager to help with acne, I remember no side effects.
I was warned not to rely on it for birth control though as the brand " Dianette" wasn't as effective as other brands. But obviously you can't double up on hormonal birth control so Dd would need to use condoms when she becomes sexually active.

Yes they should prescribe the pill but also - Ask them to refer her to a dermatologist. The waiting list is usually so long it’s better to get on it asap. My dd tried absolutely everything and the only thing that worked in the end was roaccutane. But you can only get this through a dermatologist. Of course there are side effects but there are huge side effects to having severe acne too - including risks to mental health from that- so on balance it’s worth a try. Dd went on it when she was 16 and had minimal side effects and it completely cleared up her acne. She is now 19 and said going on it was the best thing she ever did.

It helped my DD at the same age, also calmed regulate her mood swings. The side effects of the stronger acne medication worried me more tbh.

I've been on the pill for most of my life and also tried ro-accutane to clear up my acne. Roaccutane worked but my acne came back after around 5 years. The pill helped but didn't completely clear it up. However the thing that cleared my acne up the best was a supplement. It's called estroblock. I'd try that before going on the pill for acne. I also took a liver supplement with the estroblock. It works best on hormonal acne which your daughters sounds like (being around her chin)

I was your DD. I held out until nearly 19 but it was the only thing that worked for me. Didn’t change my personality.
Don’t let her go through her year 11 prom/sixth form formals etc as the girl with spots. It absolutely ruins a young girl’s self esteem.

Following as Dd has what I’d consider “mild” acne, and debating whether to see GP or see a private derm. She’s not overly bothered but has recently started to worry about scarring- she’s a picker!

I’ll have a look at that estroblock, @Viggooooh and Recs on where to get it?

My 15yr DD had horrid acne with pustules earlier this year -
creams from chemist and prescription didn’t help -
she’s on lymecycline - antibiotic specifically for acne and the pill and it’s virtually all cleared up in weeks
no side effects that I am aware of

I would push for a referral to a dermatologist. I had hormonal acne too but it needed Roaccutane to clear it, then the pill basically helped maintain it.

I buy mine from here www.estroblock.co.uk/

If anyone is interested I started with the lower dose and took 1 tablet a day at night, then increased to 2 each night then 3 over a couple of weeks. Then I increased to the higher strength and took 2 tablets a day. I also take a high quality liver supplement (no particular brand, I've used different ones). I can't remember how long it took to completley clear up, I think maybe a couple of months. I actually don't need to take it anymore but for a couple of years I would go back on it if I started getting a few spots and it would clear up quickly again.

It worked to a degree for My Dd-but she later had to go and have a course of roaccitane.

Could be a good idea but could have side effects. I agree with seeing a dermatologist. You can get isotretinoin (might be wrong spelling) for acne but I think it has to come from hospital. It also has side effects though.

And thinking about it, they suggest you go on the pill if you’re taking it anyway because you absolutely can’t become pregnant- I know you might think your dd wouldn’t but they like to be massively sure.

I had a boyfriend who really struggled with acne when we were teenagers. Obviously, he couldn’t be prescribed the pill!

He started washing his face with a traditional, plain bar of soap everyday and it cleared up miraculously. I’m guessing it stripped out the excess oil in your skin hormones can produce. His skin did get a bit dry but using Clean and Clear Oil Free moisturiser from boots for like £2 stopped this. It honestly worked miracles and me and my brother both still use this skin care regime after seeing the miracles it worked on my ex many years ago. Worth a try! Xxx

It depends on the pill and the teenager, I was prescribed dianette at the same age for hidradenitis suppurativa and it made me suicidal.

It can help but it is really important to monitor the situation and look for any side effects, physical and emotional. With me I would have the break, start taking it again on the Monday and by the Thursday I was a different person and at the time had no idea why.

I'll be honest, I'm absolutely astonished it hasn't already been offered.

YANBU, but if you haven't do discuss with your daughter first, this would be the sort of thing that mortified me as a teen!