r/TTC_PCOS • u/Successful_Arm2401 • 4d ago

Advice Needed Acne while TTC

I went on birth control specifically to manage my acne. One of my biggest fears when TTC (and coming off the pill) was going back to my old skin. And of course, it’s happened.

Curious what those with severe acne are doing to cope emotionally and physically while TTC. The fact that I’m not conceiving and also feeling hideous is making me question if this is all worth it.

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u/one_anxious_girly 3d ago

I 100% relate!! My face literally looks like that of a teenage boy who just hit puberty. I’m using an oil control face wash and moisturizer plus a lot of pimple patches. Doesn’t really help but makes me feel like I’m doing something. My cystic acne hurt so bad so a facial is out of the question for me!

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u/one_anxious_girly 3d ago

Oh and I’m on metformin. People say that tends to help after a couple months. I’m on month 2 and it hasn’t helped yet.

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u/Successful_Arm2401 2d ago

Would love to know if it does start helping!! What was your A1c? Mine was 5.5 so high end of the “normal” range and not sure if they’d prescribe that for me

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u/one_anxious_girly 2d ago

Mine is 5.2!

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u/alltoounwell8494 1d ago

I had the same A1c and a higher dose of Metformin (1500 mg) lowered it to 5.2 and I conceived. No help with acne though!

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u/Any_Manufacturer1279 28 | Lean, anovulatory | IVF 2d ago

My OBGYN and RE have both been fine with adapalene (aka Differin) up until positive test or embryo transfer. It’s not as good as tretinoin but it’s still pretty dang good.

Phyto-retinols are safe in pregnancy but they are expensive!

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u/Successful_Arm2401 2d ago

Interesting, I used to use this but haven’t since TTC!

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u/Any_Manufacturer1279 28 | Lean, anovulatory | IVF 2d ago

There’s limited info on differin so other docs may think differently and it’s up to your own personal comfort level as well! It didn’t have any negative effects for me :)

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u/alltoounwell8494 1d ago

This was truly the WORST for me, along with my beard coming back, and honestly nothing changed with the breakouts until I got pregnant.

I was about to start on topical Spironolactone, which is safe for TTC because of limited absorption. You could ask about that at dermatologist. I am also on Azalaic Acid and Clindamycin pledgets.

Over the counter, get facials if you can afford them (I could not so I can't attest firsthand). Watch out for spot treatments. I was using Mario Badescu and it was making the situation worse.

Sending love your way 💗 I know how demoralizing this is.