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1. Jill

   

   3rd Jul, 09
   

   Hi there!

   I started roac without being on the pill. In fact, I think I spent the first 3 months on roac without being on the pill. It was highly recommended but not compulsory. I then chose to go on the pill halfway through my course for personal reasons.

   The sole reason as to why they want you on the pill is avoid pregnancy whilst on roac, as it can cause serious birth defects. Therefore if you are on roac and sexually active, you MUST start taking the pill prior or as soon as you start the course.

   Hope this helps!

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2. sparklypickle

   

   3rd Jul, 09
   

   I think it varies between hospitals and derms, but you usually have to sign a form to say that you will either abstain from sex, or use one, preferrably two forms of contraception, and that if you do become pregnant you will agree to have a termination. Most of us reckon that taking the pill or mini-pill is preferable to having a termination..but it is your choice.

   Sparks x

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3. ton254

   

   3rd Jul, 09
   

   Hi,

   My doctor gave me the 3 month jab. He said he needed to know theres no chance of getting pregnant so the pill was out.And since abortion is illegal in this country.. I had to get the jab. Can’t wait to get off it, its thrown my timing right off. Unless you’re not sexually active I would strongly suggest some sort of contraceptive besides barrier methods.

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4. jennifer

   

   3rd Jul, 09
   

   You have it easy! In the US, the iPledge program requires all women of childbearing age to abstain from sex or use TWO forms of birth control, one from “List A” (the pill, IUD, or surgical sterilization) and one from “List B” (barrier methods). We also must have monthly pregnancy tests in a doctor’s office, and pay for those ourselves. It’s a huge pain.

   But yes, you can take accutane with the pill. Most women are required to do so in the US.

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5. Liz

   

   3rd Jul, 09
   

   I was taking the combined pill Dianette for acne prior to and during using Roaccutane, you can only use this pill for 3/4 years because you can get osteoporosis. My Dermatologist made me sign a document stating i would terminate my pregnancy in the event of me becoming pregnant. I stopped my Roaccutane treatment approximately 3 years ago and since that time i have enjoyed flawless skin, however i stopped taking Dianette before Easter, now i have my acne back with vengeance and am wondering if the Roaccutane was worth it at all, despite this i am going to see my Dermatologist again next week and considering he gave a radio interview this week praising Roaccutane i know he is going to prescribe that again, despite the side effects and the expense i probably am going to do another course of treatment. My question is what is the consensus regarding the type of contraceptive pill recommended while taking roaccutane?

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6. Vivi

   

   3rd Jul, 09
   

   Hi Liz,

   I was also on Dianette and it helped me, but when I came off it my acne exploded like never before. My feeling – totally my own view and not a health proffessionals – is that being on a pill that takes away the acne whilst on Roaccutane is not a good idea as you never know if it’s the roaccutane or the pill that’s killing it. I’m on Loestrin at the moment which is a low oestogen pill and if I remember rightly (pls correct me anyone if I’m wrong here) that’s the opposite of Dianette.

   Also, my GP nearly fainted when I said I had been on Dianette for 3 years. Apparently Dianette should only be prescribed for 6 – 12 months, max. It’s a high risk pill with a lot of side effects.

   Personally I was seriously against being on the pill for roaccutane, but now I feel I react ok to Loestrin so might carry on taking it. (If I can be bothered going to the GP for another prescription that is….) My view is that I’m 34, I have managed to avoid pregnancy for quite a number of years now without the pill, I think I can manage another few months, I know how babies happen, so to speak. I really don’t want a child now anyway, regardless of whether I’m on roaccutane or not, so I would always use contraception.

   Anyway, hopefully you’ll find a method that works for you. Jabs might be another option? I was negative to it as it means that in case you react badly to the hormones you can’t get rid of them, but if you’ve been on the pill and know you’re ok with them then go for it.

   x

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7. CLAIRE72

   

   4th Jul, 09
   

   Hi
   I agree with vivi, about not taking dianette or pill whilst on roacc, as you may not know which one has worked, and although you may be pleased intially that it doesnt matter which one worked, that when it comes to the time to come off dianette, your acne may come back worse. it’s funny they stop all acne treatments whilst on roaccutane to let the drug do it’s thing but continue to give dianette which is treatment for acne, you think they would stop everything. I was on dianette way to long frm being 17 to approx 30 with only a few breaks in between, i have chosen not to go on the pill whist roaccutane as not to upset my hormones and cause any further upset to my skin and re trigger any acne, and so i know that is the roacc getting rid of my spots and not something else, the derm said is was upto me, i signed something to say i would not get pregnant, I am sexually active but have just been careful with my husband using alternative contraception, i did read on hear though that the marina coil can cause acne so stay away from that one!
   claire
   x

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8. Liz

   

   6th Jul, 09
   

   Hi Vivi and Claire,

   Thank ye for your input, its cool to hear other people have been through the same motions as me!

   According to my Dermatologist today, Acne may reoccur (in 5% of females) due to a serious hormone imbalance or Ovarian Cysostic Syndrome (please excuse my spelling) which can also result in a number of serious medical issues. So although in conjunction with prescribing me Roaccutane and the pill Yasmin, i have to have some blood tests and if they are not normal an ultra sound and subsequent referral to a gynaecologist, i cannot start Yasmin before the tests come back (and that is if they are normal). As far as my internet research tells me OCS can be regulated by the pill. So even if i choose to stay off of it for the next 4 months while im on roaccutane, my use of it in the future may be inevitable if ive got OCS.

   Oh the Plot thickens!!

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9. Vivi

   

   6th Jul, 09
   

   Hi Liz, (Sorry Brownskin for hijacking your post!!:-)

   Interesting. Is OCS similar to Polycystic Ovaries? Shortened PCO. I don’t know much about that more than that it can cause acne and one might have difficulties conceive.

   Re Yasmin, I’ve been on that one and from what I can remember it was ok, apart from that I lost all interest in sex whatsoever. Best contraception ever, NOTHING happened at all in the bedroom! Haha! My husband was not impressed!

   Fingers crossed your blood tests come back all normal and you don’t have OCS.

   x

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