On Pill-Gine For Mild Acne. Will It Cause Weight Gain. Worried About Blood Clots?
Thanks for writing to us.
The above mentioned pill is a hormonal pill containing ethynyl estradiol and cyproterone acetate. It is used for contraception, irregular menses, hirsutism, acne etc.
Though there could be many precipitating factors for acne, the most common in your age is hormonal derangement. Hence ginette was added. We prescribe it quite commonly for hormonal or adult onset acne.
Now coming to side effects of OCPs. Weight gain may occur with any OCP as almost all pills cause fluid retention. But it is not seen in all users. It is mostly seen in first two to three months of use. So if being on the pill, you feel you have gained weight you may discuss the same with your doctor for either stopping the same or withholding it. Anyways if acne is mild, you wouldn't require it beyond a month or two. So chances of gaining weight is almost negligible
Now as far as blood clot formation is concerned, it is a serious but rare side effect. Before starting therapy, doctors usually check for risk factors of clot formation like smoking previous history of stroke, deep vein thrombosis or phlebitis, high BP etc. if you do not have such risk factors , chances of clot formation are rare.
So do not worry about these side effects, just continue with the medicine and remain in your doctor's follow up.
At the same time be vigilant and keep a track of any side effect while being on therapy.
Hope that helped.
Take care
Thanks for writing back.
Daily exercise/ walk, low sodium diet( do not add excess table salt) and less intake of refined carbohydrates would help.
Take care