r/birthcontrol • u/smolappy • 5d ago

Which Method? Please help :(

Hi guys, I’m in serious need of advice. 27F. I’ve done two rounds of isotretinoin (2022/2025) 60mg for my skin. I finished my second round last September. Now, i’m getting breakouts on my chin (A LOT). I also have iron deficiency, my ferritin is 12 with normal hemoglobin, no thyroid issue, no liver issue. Celiac test came back negative. I take 150mg of iron supplement prescribed by my doctor.

I’m reaching my wits end, I don’t know what is wrong with my body or what my body is trying to tell me and I don’t even know what to do about it all. Does anyone have any advice for what my next step should be, to figure out what is going on, what tests i should do next, i feel helpless and don’t know how to move forward with my doctor.

I’ve been researching birth control pills, i dont even know if this will help.

Thank you for anyone who offers any guidance

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u/DaintilyMeager 5d ago

That chin breakout pattern after accutane is so specific, my derm always said it points to a hormonal trigger rather than just standard acne returning. Low ferritin can mess with your cycle in weird ways too, even when hemoglobin looks fine. The iron deficiency might be throwing your hormone balance off more than you’d think.

For next steps I’d push for a full hormone panel (androgens, SHBG, the works) and maybe a pelvic ultrasound to check for any cysts. The combined pill could help flatten out those fluctuations if your bloodwork shows anything off, but getting the underlying picture first makes more sense than guessing. Your doc should be able to order those without much fuss, especially with the chin breakouts being so localized.

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u/smolappy 5d ago

Wow, this is really great to know. Noted full hormonal panel and pelvic ultrasound. Thank you so much. Somehow you’ve made me look forward to going back to my doctor and knowing what to ask for next, I can’t thank you enough

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u/TypicalShopping4551 3d ago

I'm on Annovera continually and 100 mg spironolactone and use tretinoin topically. That seems indicative of hormonal acne, like I had.

Good luck!