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19 years
Hey iam 19 and I suffer from acne in the menstrual cycle how to get rid of them
Jul 23, 2014
2nd opinion

Dr. Rania Mousa General Medicine
There are hormonal changes and fluctuations that happen during a women’s cycle that can cause acne. The normal cycle of the average woman usually is four weeks long with the peak estrogen levels being about 14 days after the period is complete. When the estrogen levels decrease the progesterone levels increase for most women. It is the hormone progesterone that causes the increase production in the facial oil glands such as sebum – a thick oily substance - and causes this acne. This is caused by the excess oil filling up the facial pores and causing pimples, whiteheads or blackheads.
Acne usually starts up between two days and seven days before the woman’s period begins. Usually this acne ends when the period starts because the production of progesterone goes down while the production of estrogen goes up. Women who do have acne usually will have it until their late 30’s or early 40’s. The production of both hormones during menstruation drops after that time frame.
There are basically two ways to prevent acne. These two means of prevention are birth control pills, patches or injections or pregnancy. Birth control medications will stop the fluctuation of hormones and thereby prevent PMS acne. However it will take several months of being on the birth control pill, patch or injection before the hormones balance out and cure the acne. Birth control medication lowers the effect of testosterone during the menstrual cycle by increasing the estrogen and negating some of the testosterone. The birth control medication – pills, patches or injections – creates SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) with absorbs the testosterone just like a sponge would.
other option is Spironolactone which will decrease the testosterone levels in the woman’s body to prevent acne. There are side effects to Spironolactone for many women including tender breasts, headaches, irregular periods and fatigue. Not all women will be able to take Spironolactone.

TRY to washed at least twice a day and no facial products that contain oil should ever be used,cleansing and hygiene in an attempt to keep the oil from building up.
take a visit to a dermatologist to prescribe the necessary topical treatments for acne or prescribing the above mentioned medicines to prevent acne in menses if they are too bothering .
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Thank
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