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How do hormones trigger acne breakouts in women?
Many people have heard about women and their hormones, leading them to believe that this is what makes women emotional and sometimes moody. Some have heard of Pre-Menstrual Syndrome, otherwise known as PMS, and its effects on females’ moods and acne outbreaks. But few people understand the science behind a woman’s hormones, and furthermore, how those hormones affect the skin.
Hormones:
Hormones are chemical messengers that travel from glands to cells in other parts of the body, triggering biological reactions and functions. They are key in adolescence, when a young person is going through puberty.
Androgens, for example, are the hormones in the body that promote male characteristics. They trigger hair growth, libido, kidney functions, and sebum (oil) secretion among other things.
Hormonal Acne:
While acne typically first appears during adolescence, hormonal acne usually begins in the early-to-mid twenties and can persist well into adulthood. When certain oil producing hormones are triggered, acne breakouts are the result. Typically, female skin tends to break out before or during the menstrual cycle. This is due to changes in hormonal levels. Adult hormonal acne causes much anguish for many women, leading them to try acne scars cream. Knowing the root cause of acne sheds light on possible internal treatments.
The Biochemical Cause of Acne:
The answer to how hormones affect acne breakouts in women is the hormone androgen. Nearly half of all women experience acne flare-ups and increased facial oiliness during the week preceding menstruation. As androgens are released prior to the menstrual cycle, sebaceous glands are stimulated and sebum is produced. If this sebum becomes trapped in the pores, pimples may result.
From the beginning of the menstrual cycle, estrogen levels in the female body steadily increase. Approximately 36 hours before ovulation, these levels will peak. Androgen levels rise, and it is actually converted into estrogen by the ovaries. This is why many women witness acne breakouts right before their menstrual cycles. The body needs the extra estrogen for ovulation to occur, and surprisingly it is the male hormone, androgen, that makes this extra hormonal kick possible.
Whenever hormones in the body fluctuate, such as prior to menstruation, menopause, or during pregnancy, we see acne breakouts caused by increased androgen levels. Stress also may trigger acne in women. Researchers have found a relationship between increased stress levels and higher levels of acne in women with fast-paced careers. In response to stress, the body produces more androgens, and the oil glands are stimulated, causing acne.
Some women get acne when they stop taking birth control pills. The pills may have been keeping their acne at bay. Birth control pills have progesterone and estrogen. On the pill, the body does not make as much androgen to be converted into estrogen, because it is getting estrogen from the medication. Once the pill is stopped, androgen levels are back, triggering the sebaceous glands to produce more oils again.
Treating Hormonal Acne
There are several treatment options available for women with hormonal acne, including topical retinoids, topical antimicrobials (such as benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics), and oral antibiotics that are prescribed when the inflammation is more severe. Anti-androgen medication is also available.
Oral contraceptive pills are also successful for treating hormonal acne. They contain estrogen, which regulates the menstrual cycle and decreases the androgen activity responsible for acne, leading to decreased breakouts.
Reducing Blemishes: