Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy Does Birth Control Cause Rashes?Rashes and Skin IssuesWhat Forms of Birth Control Can Cause Rashes?Why Do Some People Get a Rash From Birth Control?Other Side EffectsTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Why Does Birth Control Cause Rashes?
Rashes and Skin Issues
What Forms of Birth Control Can Cause Rashes?
Why Do Some People Get a Rash From Birth Control?
Other Side Effects
Treatment
Birth control can be used to treat a variety of gynecological conditions (e.g.,irregular periods,endometriosis,menstrual cramps) while also preventingpregnancy, but some types of birth control methods may cause irritating rashes on the body and face.
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In the case ofspermicidesor condoms, it can be the chemical or latex, respectively, that can cause skin issues.
Most reactions are very treatable and enable you to continue using your preferred birth control methods. Other times, your healthcare provider may recommend that you switch to a different method.
Types of Birth Control Rashes
Some birth control rashes and skin issues include erythema nodosum, autoimmuneprogesterone dermatitis, contact dermatitis, melasma, hormonal acne, and more.
Erythema Nodosum
Erythema nodosumis an inflammatory disorder that causes red, tender bumps on the shins and knees. Other symptoms include fever, joint pain, or enlarged lymph nodes in the chest. It’s not a serious condition, but it can be uncomfortable. With treatment, symptoms should disappear within six weeks.
Autoimmune Progesterone Dermatitis
Skin symptoms may include:
More severe symptoms can include open sores and, in some cases breathing issues such as wheezing and anasthma-like reaction.
Allergic Reactions/Contact Dermatitis to Birth Control Ingredients
Some people have reactions to the dyes or ingredients in birth control pills, the latex in condoms, or the chemicals in spermicides.
Melasma
People taking oral contraceptive pills that contain estrogen and progesterone may experiencemelasma, which causes brown or blue-gray patches or spots that look like freckles. It’s harmless and treatable.
Hormonal Acne
Due to the fluctuations in hormones when you first start some types of birth control, including oral contraceptives, you experienceacnefor a period of time. On the flip side,oral contraceptivescan also be used to treat acne. It may take some trial and error to figure out which birth control is right for your complexion.
Telangiectasia (Spider Veins)
Birth control can cause different types of rashes and is often dependent on the types of hormones present in each medication.
Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills contain different variations of estrogen and progestin, depending on which type you use. Not only can they make your skin more sensitive to the sun, but they can also cause a rash on your face orcystic acne, which can be painful.
Many birth control pills have different colored pills to identify the sugar pills (placebo) that represent a monthly period. Women who have a sensitivity to these dyes may also have a reaction.
Birth Control Patch
The estrogen and progestin transdermal (patch) contraceptives can cause skin irritation and itching at the site where the it is placed.
Vaginal Ring
Thevaginal ringis a hormonal device inserted directly into the vagina prior to intercourse. The hormones in the ring can cause facial acne. It can also cause additional side effects including:
Birth Control Shot
Depo-Proverais a hormonal birth control shot that uses progestin (made from the natural hormone progesterone) to prevent pregnancy for up to three months at a time. Thisbirth control shotcan cause skin issues at the injection site, redness, and soreness.
Hormonal IUD
A hormonalintrauterine device (IUD) is an effective device to prevent pregnancy for years at a time. The IUD, because it releases hormones, can cause some skin issues, such as acne. Other allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue can occur, as can a fever or flu-like symptoms.
Condoms
Condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can prevent pregnancy. People allergic to latex may have skin reactions to certain types ofcondoms. If the condom is made from latex or polyurethane, people sensitive to those chemicals may have itching and irritation.
Spermicide
Spermicides are used internally in the vagina prior to intercourse. They can cause vaginal itching and burning.
Some people are most sensitive to dyes, ingredients, and chemicals used in some types of birth control methods. Often these rashes are treatable with over-the-counter (OTC) medications, although sometimes a change in birth control helps prevent further outbreaks.
Other Birth Control Side Effects
You may experience none, one, or several side effects of birth control, which can include:
Treatment of Birth Control Rash
There are several ways to treat birth control rashes and keep them under control or prevent them altogether.
Try one or more of these methods to soothe your skin:
Summary
Rashes from birth control methods are common, usually not serious, and treatable. You may need to try different methods to see if you have a hormonal sensitivity or are allergic to one of the ingredients or chemicals in a particular birth control method.
A Word From Verywell
There are many types of birth control available to people who want to prevent pregnancy or are being treated for a gynecological condition. If you are experiencing swelling, trouble breathing, fever, or asthma-like symptoms, get in touch with your healthcare provider right away.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Who gets dyshidrotic eczema?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Erythema nodosum.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Progestogen hypersensitivity.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Melasma: Diagnosis and treatment.University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine Department.Spider veins.MedlinePlus.Estrogen and progestin (oral contraceptives).MedlinePlus.Estrogen and progestin (transdermal patch contraceptives).U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Depo-Provera.MedlinePlus.Intrauterine devices (IUD).The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Barrier methods of birth control: Spermicide, condom, sponge, diaphragm, and cervical cap.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Who gets dyshidrotic eczema?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Erythema nodosum.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Progestogen hypersensitivity.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Melasma: Diagnosis and treatment.University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine Department.Spider veins.MedlinePlus.Estrogen and progestin (oral contraceptives).MedlinePlus.Estrogen and progestin (transdermal patch contraceptives).U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Depo-Provera.MedlinePlus.Intrauterine devices (IUD).The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Barrier methods of birth control: Spermicide, condom, sponge, diaphragm, and cervical cap.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Who gets dyshidrotic eczema?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Erythema nodosum.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Progestogen hypersensitivity.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Melasma: Diagnosis and treatment.University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine Department.Spider veins.MedlinePlus.Estrogen and progestin (oral contraceptives).MedlinePlus.Estrogen and progestin (transdermal patch contraceptives).U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Depo-Provera.MedlinePlus.Intrauterine devices (IUD).The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Barrier methods of birth control: Spermicide, condom, sponge, diaphragm, and cervical cap.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Who gets dyshidrotic eczema?
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Erythema nodosum.
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Progestogen hypersensitivity.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Melasma: Diagnosis and treatment.
University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine Department.Spider veins.
MedlinePlus.Estrogen and progestin (oral contraceptives).
MedlinePlus.Estrogen and progestin (transdermal patch contraceptives).
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Depo-Provera.
MedlinePlus.Intrauterine devices (IUD).
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Barrier methods of birth control: Spermicide, condom, sponge, diaphragm, and cervical cap.
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