A hormonal imbalance can affect acne, if not actually cause it directly. Although adolescence is the age group in which this disorder occurs most often, even in adulthood it causes significant problems, especially in women 20 to 50 years old. However, there are several remedies you can follow to restore hormonal balance and treat acne safely and effectively, including medical therapies, lifestyle changes, and natural remedies. Examine various options with the help of your doctor or dermatologist to choose the most suitable solution to balance hormones and thus also act on this imperfection.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Medication Treatments
Step 1. Take oral contraceptives
If acne is aggravated by a hormone imbalance, the dermatologist may choose hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to manage the disorder. The most frequently used against this skin problem is the contraceptive pill; it usually contains estrogen, progestogen, or both of these hormones in varying concentrations. The type and dosage of the oral contraceptive is an important factor to consider and only a specialized dermatologist should prescribe it to treat acne. HRT can be very effective in girls; sometimes, another hormone, such as spironolactone, is also added.
- This type of therapy may be useful for some women suffering from hormonal acne, but it can cause several unpleasant side effects, including dizziness, headache, weight change, stomach upset, bloating, nausea, depression, chest pain, increased the risk of heart disease (especially in women who smoke), shortness of breath, breast lumps and liver problems.
- These drugs have also been associated with increased risk of breast cancer, deep vein thrombosis and stroke; it doesn't seem to make much difference which oral contraceptive is used. Know that the major risk factors for women taking HRT are obesity, smoking, lack of physical activity and a previous history of bleeding disorders; As with most drug treatments, you must be well informed about the risks and benefits by consulting a qualified doctor.
Step 2. Consider taking bioidentical hormones
These are synthetic hormones that are commonly used as topical treatments, but whose use is increasingly common in the case of acne associated with a hormonal disorder. This therapy is often recommended by naturopaths, but a medical prescription is required. Be very careful when you want to buy such products, because there is a "parallel market" (especially online) that is not regulated and that does not guarantee their quality and reliability, with the risk of procuring non-pure and untested drugs. Always and only rely on a doctor. Although these chemical compounds are labeled as "chemically identical" to the natural ones of the body, no studies have been performed to define the risks and benefits that these substances entail; for example, Premarin is a derivative of the urine of pregnant mares.
Before taking this type of drug, you should talk to a dermatologist, who can prescribe tests to define your current hormone levels and thus establish specific bioidentical hormones to restore balance. Another fundamental aspect of therapy is the continuous monitoring of hormone concentrations and any possible side effects
Step 3. Know the risks of HRT
It is important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of any HRT and you should see your doctor for this. The use of oral contraceptives increases the risk of cervical, breast and liver cancer, heart disease and stroke.
- Also note that bioidentical hormones have been used safely for over 50 years in Europe to treat menopausal symptoms, but there are risks that have not yet been carefully analyzed and that are associated with such therapy when followed for a long time. and when it is used to treat acne. Proceed with great caution with any non-medical treatment, the safety and effectiveness of which have not been studied with strictly scientific methods.
- The best thing to do is to consult with your doctor before using any treatment, including HRT, and to proceed only under his supervision.
Method 2 of 3: Balance Hormones with Natural Remedies
Step 1. Eat a diet rich in omega 3
Healthy and therapeutic lifestyle choices are the mainstay of any treatment for chronic ailments, including acne. By taking the recommended dose of these fatty acids you can enjoy benefits for your hormone-associated skin disorder. Polycystic ovary syndrome, which involves hormonal imbalance, can be partially effectively treated by modifying the diet, eating foods rich in omega 3 and other substances with anti-inflammatory properties. Among those best suited to your purpose consider:
- Seeds and nuts: flax seeds and oil, chia seeds, nut butter, nuts;
- Fish and fish oil: salmon, sardines, mackerel, white fish, agone;
- Herbaceous plants and spices: basil, oregano, cloves, marjoram;
- Vegetables: Spinach, sprouted radish seeds, Chinese broccoli.
Step 2. Include more vitamins A and D in your diet
Both help manage hormonal acne by balancing hormones and promoting healthy skin. You can also take supplements, although it is possible to get the daily requirement from food; you can get enough vitamin D by exposing yourself to the sun for 15 minutes.
- Foods rich in vitamin A include egg yolks, vegetables like sweet potatoes, spinach, carrots, squash, broccoli, peppers, zucchini, fruits like cantaloupe, mangoes, apricots, legumes, as well as meat and fish.
- Foods with a high vitamin D content are fish and cod liver oil, dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese, as well as many fortified foods.
Step 3. Consult your doctor regarding the possibility of herbal treatment for your problem
There are several plants that can help restore hormonal balance in women suffering from acne. For all herbs described in this article, follow the manufacturer's instructions and always talk to your doctor to see if they can interact with other medications you are currently taking.
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for recommendations on a reliable supplement brand. Although they are regulated by the Ministry of Health, there are products, mainly sold online, which do not always meet the legal requirements regarding purity or efficacy and which have not been scientifically analyzed. Therefore ask authoritative people to point you to quality products.
- Vitex agnus-castus - or chaste tree - is a plant traditionally used to balance female hormones. It has proved very effective in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, premenstrual syndrome and is also an excellent remedy for hormonal acne.
- Maca root comes from traditional South American medicine; it has a phytoestrogenic action and can increase progesterone levels.
- Dong quai - or Chinese angelica - is a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine and is also known as "female ginseng"; has anti-inflammatory properties that are valuable for your ailment. It is usually taken during menopause to manage symptoms; promotes the secretion of progesterone and inhibits that of estrogen.
- Black cohosh is another plant traditionally used to balance female hormones, especially during menopause, as it has been shown to be effective in managing symptoms; has phytoestrogenic properties and is applied directly to the skin to treat hormonal acne.
Method 3 of 3: Understanding Hormonal Acne
Step 1. Know the causes of this disorder
Many teenagers and adult women notice that their skin deteriorates shortly before menstruation, usually 10 days before bleeding begins. Any form of acne that worsens in the different phases of the female cycle can be defined as hormonal.
- In the first half of the menstrual cycle, the main reproductive hormone is progesterone, which stimulates the production of sebum; moreover, in this phase also testosterone levels increase, which in turn stimulates more sebum production.
- In some girls and women it is the relationship between these two hormones that causes acne breakouts in the days preceding menstrual bleeding; in others, it can be a symptom of serious reproductive system problems, while still other women are able to restore normal balance without any hormonal treatment.
Step 2. Recognize the symptoms
Hormonal acne follows a specific pattern that allows us to understand when it is about to manifest itself; rashes can occur close to menstruation and develop mainly under the cheekbones and around the chin and mouth.
They are usually painful, large, with pus-filled pockets and resist any type of treatment
Step 3. Define the cause
It is not always clear why acne occurs; it can result from an underlying disease, such as polycystic ovary syndrome. Other common causes are reactions or sensitivity to chemicals in cosmetics or personal hygiene products, reactivity to very refined and sugar-rich dairy products and industrial products. It can also be the result of inflammation due to an underlying disorder or some bacterial infection.
- Other factors responsible for acne are excessive activity or high levels of the male hormone testosterone, which can occur during the second half of the menstrual cycle; a high testosterone concentration is usually not a problem, but it can become a problem when it is not in equilibrium with estrogen or progesterone.
- Another element that can cause acne is a reduction in the levels of fatty acids in the skin due to a limited intake of these substances through food.
- Acne usually develops in teens and young adults, in both sexes, but many women suffer from it between the ages of 30 and 50.
