Acne And Hormones: Why Women Develop Acne More Often Than Men Do
Acne in a teenager is an expected rite of passage. Acne in a grown-up can be embarrassing. In particular, many adult women experience mild to moderate acne that does not respond to traditional acne treatments. Dermatologists now look to a woman's hormones to explain persistent acne or adult-onset acne.
Hormonal acne is most often influenced by androgens in the body. Androgens are hormones that stimulate the sebaceous glands and hair follicles in the skin. When the sebaceous glands are over-stimulated by androgens, for example around the time of menstruation, women, both young and old, tend to have acne flare-ups.
Stress can also affect the levels of androgens, resulting in further breakouts. These adult-onset acne flares occur most often on the lower face, chin and jawline of adult women.
Most women with acne have normal serum levels of androgens. However, some women with acne also have facial hirsutism, excess facial hair, or male pattern alopecia, hair loss and/or thinning on the scalp. Women with these symptoms may have increased androgen production, and a hormonal work-up that includes an evaluation for adrenal, ovarian or pituitary abnormalities may be indicated.
In addition to hirsutism and alopecia, women with hormonal acne may also have irregular menstrual cycles, obesity, infertility, or diabetes.
"Acne is an emotionally devastating disease at any stage, but as women age they often find acne is a detriment to their personal and professional lives," said dermatologist Diane Berson, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, New York University, New York.
"Instead of seeking medical advice, women rely on the same over-the-counter medications they used as a teenager. However, as we get older our bodies change, as can the type of acne, so traditional treatments may no longer be effective."
Once diagnosed with hormonal acne, treatment options include oral contraceptive pills, corticosteroids and spironolactone. All three of these treatments decrease sebum production.
But all these things deal with severe acne that plagues women's life for months. However, most of us experience acne outbreaks once a month, just before the period. Many women do, indeed, have a premenstrual flare of their acne.
"Acne has often been associated with hormones and a woman's monthly cycle," stated dermatologist Alan R. Shalita, MD, co-author of "The Effect of the Menstrual Cycle on Acne,"
In a study, a group of 400 women ages 12 to 52 were surveyed as to whether their acne got worse before, during or after their menstrual period as well as whether their acne appeared to be related to their menstrual period. The women were grouped into categories according to age, severity of acne, ethnicity and whether or not they took oral contraceptives. Overall, 44 percent reported premenstrual acne.
The study also found that 53 percent of women over age 33 experienced a higher rate of premenstrual acne than women under age 20, who only reported a 39 percent increase in premenstrual acne.
In fact, previous studies have shown that the oil duct opening on the skin was smallest in days 15 to 20 of a 28-day cycle, increased in days 21 to 26, and decreased again in the two days before menstruation. On average, premenstrual acne flares were found to be the worst on day 22 of the average 28-day cycle.
Diet and carefully selected herbal supplements may helps rebalance hormone production during the cycle. Instead of suffering from monthly acne, why not try natural methods and bring your skin to its best possible condition?
