Hormonal acne in women - causes and treatment

Hormones strongly affect all physiological processes that occur in the human body. And the phenomenon of the formation of acne in women is also often directly associated with them. It is unlikely that there will be a person whose acne has not jumped at least once in his life. It is believed that for adolescence this is normal, because it is during puberty that global hormonal changes take place. But this can happen in adulthood. Hormonal disruptions can occur for a variety of reasons, the main ones are discussed below.

The relationship of hormones with the appearance of acne

The most common type of rash is associated with age-related changes in hormone levels, which occurs during a period when the body is actively growing.This happens during puberty in adolescents. During this period, an increase in the production of steroid hormones, mainly androgens, is observed in the human body. It should be noted that, despite the fact that these sex hormones are considered male, their production occurs in the body of both men and women. This phenomenon has a direct relationship with the appearance of hormonal acne in adolescents. In people of mature age, the number of androgens increases significantly, affecting the course of many physiological processes, in particular, and is a provoking factor in the formation of acne. How does this affect?

The fact is that steroids affect the course of complex biochemical reactions in the epidermis, as a result of which the level of sebocytes, the cells of the sebaceous glands, increases, that is, the amount of sebum produced increases.

In normal condition, the consistency of sebum (even with skin prone to fat) is fluid. Hormones significantly increase the amount of fat produced, due to which it acquires a dense and sticky consistency.The appearance of acne occurs when the hair follicles are blocked by this fat. At first, microscopic comedones appear on this site. After that, the formation of open and closed comedos occurs from them. This process is dangerous in that corks that form from sebum and clog the ducts not only prevent the release of excess fat, but also prevent the skin from getting rid of other gland products. As a result, pathogenic bacteria multiply rapidly, which lead to inflammation of the skin and the formation of rashes.

The causes of this phenomenon can be many, the most common ones:

1. Heredity. Increased testosterone production and skin prone to a sensitive reaction to this hormone can be inherited. Therefore, hereditary predisposition is a provoking factor for the formation of lesions on the skin. In other words, if a woman has a parent who has suffered from hormonal acne, then she may also have to face this problem.
2. Disruptions in the process of lipid metabolism. This happens when the blood of a woman increases the number of all types of fats: cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides, etc.Exceeding the normal level of fat leads to an overload of the vessels, as a result of which the blood circulation is disturbed and some diseases arise. In lipid metabolism, failures occur most often when hormone levels change. This happens during menopause, or due to the use of hormone-containing agents: steroid anabolic steroids, retinoids, corticoids, progesterone, contraceptive drugs.
3. Diseases of the adrenal glands, pituitary. Malfunctions in the functioning of these organs can lead to the formation of a hormonal rash.
4. Stress. It has long been evidenced by the fact that during stress and depression in the body, male hormones begin to be actively produced, this has an impact on the skin of a woman, as a result of which acne is formed on it.
5. Gynecological diseases. These include the formation of cysts on the ovaries, hyperandrogenism - a pathological condition in which the increased production of male hormones occurs in the female body, and many other diseases.

The appearance of acne before menstruation

In the first half of the menstrual cycle, estrogen content is observed in the blood of a woman that exceeds the amount of progesterone. After ovulation has occurred, their concentration decreases, and now progesterone becomes more. At the same time, the testosterone content throughout the cycle is characterized by stability.

But due to the fact that the “holding” effect of estrogens decreases before the start of menstruation, testosterone can adversely affect the skin condition, hormonal acne is formed on the face, shoulders, chest and other parts of the body.

The appearance of acne during menopause

When a woman reaches the age of forty, she may have menopause at any time - the function of the ovaries gradually fades away, which leads to a decrease in estrogen production. As a consequence, there is a predominance of androgens, the production of which in the female body occurs mainly in the adrenal glands.

Rashes can form even when hormone replacement therapy is used, if it uses more progesterone than estrogen. Therefore, it is better to consult with the gynecologist to find a suitable treatment.

The emergence of hormonal acne in the postpartum period

After childbirth in the female body, an increase in the amount of progesterone is observed, while the level of estrogen is characterized by instability. As a result, sebum begins to be intensively produced and clog pores. Hormonal acne that occurs in the postpartum period, as a rule, is formed on the neck and in the lower half of the face, and does not disappear for a long time. In this case, a more effective option to combat the rash will be the use of oral contraceptives. But their appointment should be done only by a specialist, selecting only those drugs that can be taken during lactation.

Treatment

To get rid of hormonal acne, it is necessary to lower the content of testosterone in the body. To do this, you should take medications that are prescribed by the doctor, as well as diet and properly care for the skin.

Hormonal drugs
For successful treatment of acne it is necessary to get rid of the provoking factor that caused its appearance.To do this, you will need to go through all the diagnostic procedures that the doctor will prescribe.

Drug therapy is based on the use of such drugs:

1. Oral contraceptive drugs, which include progesterone and estrogen. Such drugs help to reduce the production of androgens, so that after three months of intake decreases the formation of rashes. But keep in mind that when the drug is canceled, acne can occur again and they will be even more than before therapy. It is desirable that Drospirenone, Norethindrone or Norgestimate be present in combination with ethinyl estradiol.
2. Metformin. The drug helps to reduce insulin resistance.
3. Antiandrogens. They reduce the production of testosterone, helping to get rid of acne in three months of use.
4. Oral contraceptives can not be applied to patients who have increased blood viscosity, as well as those who suffer from high blood pressure, breast cancer, addiction to cigarettes.

Nutrition

To get rid of hormonal acne, it is recommended to adjust your diet. It is necessary to refuse the use of sugar and simple carbohydrates.Restrictions of proteins and fats are not required, but it is desirable that the latter are mostly vegetable. In addition, it should be borne in mind that those who often use dairy products are more prone to the formation of acne.

Folk remedies

Great benefits in the treatment of hormonal acne will bring such plants that reduce the amount of insulin or eliminate the imbalance of sex hormones. These include the following remedies:

1. Cinnamon. Although the effectiveness of this product against hormonal rashes has no evidence, it helps some. Be that as it may, adding to the food of this spice health does not harm, and reduce the manifestation of acne can.
2. Mint. It is known that if you use two cups of tea with mint per day, the production of androgens will decrease, and estrogens - on the contrary, will increase. It will benefit women suffering from hormonal acne.
3. Apple vinegar. It helps to slow down the digestive processes and the absorption of simple carbohydrates, which reduces insulin production. It helps patients in whom rashes are formed due to the presence of cysts on the ovaries.Is taken orally by two large spoons per day.

Skin care

Apply the same care products as with the other varieties of acne. In addition, preference should be given to drugs, which include the following ingredients:

• tea tree extract;
• Argan oil;
• grape seeds;
• sesame seeds;
• lotus extract;
• rosehip essential oil.

It is recommended not to use products that contain coconut and olive oils.

Supplement skin care can be pharmaceutical drugs against acne. One of the most effective of them is Zinerit, which consists of erythromycin and zinc compounds. The tool provides drying of the skin, lowers the function of the sebaceous glands, and also prevents the multiplication of pathogenic bacteria on the skin surface that cause the inflammatory process.

Additional recommendations

1. Do not sunbathe. In the summer months, use sunscreen with a degree of protection of at least 15.
2. Wash face twice a day with products that contain an antibacterial component,for example, green tea. It is not recommended to use soap.
3. During the day, do not touch the face with unwashed hands.
4. Do not try to get rid of acne by squeezing.
5. Do not cauterize with iodine, brilliant green, manganese solution, alcohol-containing agents.

The fight against hormonal rashes is a rather difficult task that requires a lot of time and effort. The most important thing to consider is that it will not be possible to completely get rid of them until the main reason for their appearance is cured - hormonal imbalance. Therefore, it is impossible to cope with this without expert advice.

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