Hormone Therapy for Women with Acne

Acne. Wrinkles. Age spots and varicose veins. What do they all have in common? They’re all signs of aging, and they have affected, and continue to affect every woman at some point in their lives. Although wrinkles, age spots and varicose veins can be mostly attributed to Mother Nature, acne can seem uncontrollable for many women- myself included. I have battled with acne since adolescence and now, at age 24, I still continue to do so. Acne can affect many aspects of one’s life; socially, emotionally, and definitely physically. The following explains why acne can be such an issue for women, and what women can do to battle the bumps!

There is an old belief that people simply “grow out of acne”. There is also a belief that women tend to suffer from acne during their premenstrual stages. Well the former is false, but the latter still proves to be true. Actually, studies have shown that premenstrual acne seems to get worse with age, thus disputing the belief that people grow out of acne. A study was conducted with a group of 300 women aged 13- 50. Slightly over half of the women 30 and older experienced more premenstrual acne than those women under 20.

Since acne flair ups are due to hormonal changes, here are several hormone treatments and
potential acne solutions for women of all ages.

Oral Contraceptive Pill

The oral contraceptive pill, a.k.a. birth control pill, is a common hormone treatment for acne. Many young women suffer from unbearable menstrual cramps. Many doctors are prescribing birth control pills to alleviate the pain from the cramps. In doing so, they have found that the pills are also effective in combating acne as well.

Spironolactone

Oral spironolactone is a steroidal antiandrogen that prevents excessive oil production by blocking receptors and decreasing androgen production in both the ovaries and adrenal glands. This can help reduce the number of breakouts. Patients usually use oral contraceptives in conjunction with spironolactone to reduce breast tenderness and menstrual irregularities that spironolactone may cause.

Risk Factors with Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy, although extremely effective for many, may cause some adverse effects. The most serious of them could be the development of cancer. As a result, women must undergo regular pelvic and breast exams to check for cancers.

Written by Kismet W. Johnson

For more information on teen acne, adult acne, acne scar treatment, laser acne treatment or acne lamps please visit teen acne solutions.com or http://teen acne solutions.blogspot.com/

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