by Dr . Alpesh Desai
Hormonal Acne : Why Do I Have It , And How Do I Stop It ?
How many times have your clients asked , “ Why do I still have acne when I ’ m no longer a teenager ?” The answer might be a simple one : hormonal acne .
If you have estrogen and testosterone running through your body , raise your hand . All of you ? Yep . If you ’ re human , you might experience hormonal acne at some point in your life . Luckily for men , hormonal acne is rare and much more commonly suffered by women . Fortunately for women , hormonal acne is highly treatable .
What Causes Hormonal Acne ?
Hormonal acne usually accompanies periods of high stress , worsens around the menstrual cycle , and develops during menopause and as a result of increased androgen levels . My wife would say that confirms the fact that women have more stressful lives than men . I ’ m still unsure if that ’ s true , but agreeing with my wife is always good for my health .
Luckily for men , hormonal acne is rare for them and much more commonly suffered by women .
Luckily for women , hormonal acne is highly treatable .
What Does Hormonal Acne Look Like ?
Hormonal acne is similar to the acne you probably experienced as a teenager , but it has a few noticeable differences . Most notable is the location . This type of acne appears concentrated along the jawline ( also called beard distribution ). It may include comedones , pustules , and nodules . Untreated , moderate to severe hormonal acne may result in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and scarring .
Acne is caused by sebum , which clogs the pores . Stress , increased androgen levels , menopause , and the menstrual cycle all cause the body to produce high amounts of sebum , which results in acne . In certain situations , such as undiagnosed polycystic ovarian syndrome ( PCOS ), increased testosterone levels convert to dihydrotestosterone . This increases sebum production , which in turn increases the chance of acne .
What ’ s The Difference Between Hormonal Acne And Normal Acne ?
You most likely have hormonal acne if you notice that it pops up ( pun intended ) around your menstrual cycle . It is triggered by hormones and usually occurs one week before or during menstruation . Additionally , hormonal acne is often concentrated along the jawline ( also called beard distribution ). If you have been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome ( PCOS ), you are likely to suffer from hormonal acne .
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