Hormonal cystic acne from Mirena IUD
Hello beauties o (^‿^✿)
Around August 2018 I switched my birth control to the Mirena IUD due to having excessively long, heavy and frequent periods, and usually having very strong side-effects with oestrogen-based birth controls. I finally found my solution with the Mirena (my periods are gone entirely and I do not have the side-effects I did with oestrogen pills) and I was just so happy.
However unfortunately since then, my acne slowly got worse – I used to only have it once a month, and relatively mildly so (compared to now). At the moment I have full-blown cystic acne. The pimples are deep under the skin, red and very, very painful. It appears no amount of cleansing, toning, moisturising works anymore – Clean & Clear moisturiser used to keep my monthly acne well under control but it seems to be no match for this cystic acne.
I feel so honestly sad and defeated. Going back to another birth control is just not an option – non-oestrogen birth controls caused me to have periods as long as 3 weeks (with a 1 week break in between!) and oestrogen birth controls would keep my period in check but cause severe migraines. I’m just not willing to go back to heavy migraines or 3-week-periods just over my skin. But that said… I hate my skin. In areas it looks like I’ve been attacked by a hive of angry bees. I’m surprised nobody has asked me “what happened” or “what’s wrong” yet. I’m kind of waiting for it.
Does anyone have any experience with this type of acne (birth control related cystic acne) specifically and if so, what did and didn’t work for you? In terms of skincare or otherwise?
I’m kind of dreading going to the doctor because I’m scared they’ll want me to try something with oestrogen – and medicare wouldn’t really cover me going to a dermatologist (since it isn’t technically medically necessary) and I just can’t afford it out of pocket at the moment. So I’m just desperate for any advice at this stage.
Thank you so much for your time, sorry about the essay!
Nell
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