is "Minerva" helpful

Hi!im also suffering from acne and it has been this way since early high school years.during my matric year,i experienced devastatingly terrible breakouts so my family doctor prescribed contraception pills known as Minerva.i took them for six months and they helped me alot,but as soon as i stopped taking them,my pimples returned and now my face is full of black spots again(i honestly cant stop squeezing my pimples).so im wondering if it does really help and is it possible for me to take them for a longer period of time.one other thing:i also once used a liquid known as Nu metrol(not sure of the spelling)and it cleared my skin so nicely-it was literally spotless.but my doctor said im way too young to use it,i got it from my cousin who`s also suffering from acne.so are both these acne medicines recommendable??

[loiloi]

Hi. Combined oral contraceptive pills (especially Diane35, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Cilest and Yasmin) help acne by blocking the effects of androgens-male hormones-found in both male and female bodies). If your tendancy for acne continues, a repeat prescription of these or another acne treatment may be required. Contraceptive pills may be taken in the longer term, providing the patient is not over 35, overweight or a heavy smoker.
I'm not sure which topical medicine you are refering to, but never use someone else's medicine, even if their symptoms appear the same as yours. The best prescription acne gel, in my view, is Differin (adapalene 0.1%). This is a retinoid-like gel which is effective and generally well tolerated.
Another option is to take a course of oral antibiotics such as Oxytetracycline. If your doctor decides you warrant both antibiotics and the pill, use a barrier method of birth control as there is a theorectical risk that tetracyclines reduce the contraceptive properties of the pill.
Never squeeze your spots as this spreads bacteria under the skin leading to more spots. If done repeatedly it can also increase the risk of permanent scarring.

Eloise.