What contraceptive options are best for stage 3 HS?
It's understandable you're concerned and want to explore safer options. For stage 3 HS, combined oral contraceptives (containing both estrogen and progesterone) are often recommended as part of treatment because they can help balance hormones that trigger HS flares.
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What contraceptive options are best for stage 3 HS?
It's understandable you're concerned and want to explore safer options. For stage 3 HS, combined oral contraceptives (containing both estrogen and progesterone) are often recommended as part of treatment because they can help balance hormones that trigger HS flares.
Some examples of combined oral contraceptives that may help with HS include:
* Norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol (Ortho Tri-Cyclen)
* Drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol (Yasmin)
* Norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol (Loestrin FE)
* Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol (Lutera)
It's important to note that progesterone-only contraceptives (like Depo-Provera) aren't typically recommended for HS because they may potentially worsen symptoms in some people.
Newer combination birth control pills use antiandrogenic progestins that can actually help with HS symptoms without the side effects that older formulations had.
Since you're dealing with stage 3 HS, your doctor will likely consider combined oral contraceptives alongside other treatments like oral antibiotics, biologics, or other medications. It's really important to discuss your concerns about your current contraceptive with your dermatologist and OB-GYN so they can help you find a safer option that also helps manage your HS.
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