Many women notice how rashes appear on their skin from time to time, but not everyone is aware of their true causes. Acne in most cases is associated with a hormonal malfunction in the body caused by an imbalance in the male and female sex hormones. Most often, hormonal acne in women occurs due to an excess of androgens.
Is it dangerous?
Rashes alone are not a symptom of any disease. It is more correct to consider them an external defect arising due to an increased level of male hormones in the female body. At the same time, acne should be treated, and not let the problem drift. Hormonal acne in women should not be ignored, since a bacterial infection often attaches to acne, which, in turn, can lead to serious inflammation.
With androgen deficiency, sebum production decreases, so acne does not appear. Moreover, hormonal acne on the face in women can occur not only due to an excess of androgens: the level of insulin in the body can play a role in the problem. Most often, representatives of the weaker sex in adulthood, in the period of 30-50 years, suffer from acne, but acne is often a manifestation of premenstrual syndrome at a younger age.
By the way, in men, acne rashes appear less often. Acne against the background of hormonal changes is observed in young men, but by the age of 20-23, acne usually goes away without intervention.
How to distinguish from other rashes
What do hormonal acne look like in women? It’s easy to distinguish such an acne. Usually pustules are localized where there are many sebaceous glands - on the temples, forehead, chin, neck, in the nasolabial triangle. In appearance, acne resembles small red formations that occupy a wide area of damage. Sometimes each pimple contains a purulent white head. Also, a deep subcutaneous cyst can be located under it. Hormonal acne usually does not itch, but can be very painful, sore, and enlarged.
Causes of hormonal imbalance
To understand what causes hormonal acne in women, it is necessary to look deep into the problem, find and exclude factors that contribute to increased synthesis of androgens. Acne eruptions, which are difficult to external therapeutic effect, appear in the following conditions and diseases:
- polycystic ovary;
- malignant or benign tumors of the adrenal glands, appendages;
- long-term use of hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- the use of anabolics and other steroids in sports;
- conservative hormone therapy and surgery to change sex.
Hyperandrogenism can be a consequence of menopause, pregnancy, childbirth. Sometimes the cause of hormonal rashes is diabetes, thyroid disease. To determine the exact cause of hormonal acne, a woman should consult a gynecologist-endocrinologist and pass the necessary tests. Typically, in such patients, in addition to skin rashes, there are other symptoms that indicate an excess of male hormones:
- enhanced hair growth on the face, chest, neck, chin, abdomen;
- absence or irregularity of menstruation;
- increase in muscle mass, low voice;
- reduction of mammary glands in volume;
- weight gain, obesity.
The mechanism of the rash
In the skin, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone are synthesized - these are the androgens that activate the growth of new cells and the production of fatty secretions. Against the background of excess male hormones, the following occurs:
- the production of sebum increases, which leads to a decrease in the surface of the epidermis of linoleic acid - this leads to irritation and inflammatory reaction;
- excess fat clogs pores, interferes with normal skin respiration;
- when contaminated, sebum oxidizes, bacteria multiply in clogged pores, resulting in comedones and ulcers.
Insulin and acne: where is the relationship?
An increased concentration of androgens in the blood is not the only possible cause of rashes in women. Hormonal acne often appears with an increase in insulin in the blood. Active production of this substance leads to a cascade hormonal reaction of the body, contributing to increased production of oily secretions and the formation of ulcers on the skin. The results of some studies have allowed scientists to conclude that one of the ways to prevent and treat hormonal acne in women is a carbohydrate-free diet. Moreover, it is recommended to refuse not only sweets, pastries, bread, potatoes, but also whole milk.
In the development of this skin problem, a specific role belongs to insulin resistance. Due to the resistance of skin tissues to the effects of this hormone, their full nutrition by glucose does not occur. As a result, the pancreas begins to produce even more insulin, which ultimately leads to the appearance of hormonal acne in women. In the photo they do not differ from those rashes that occur against the background of hyperandrogenism. The appearance of an abscess rash is an occasion for an additional examination and exclusion of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Female hormone deficiency
Sometimes acne from hormonal failure in women appears, not with an excess of male hormones (analysis at the same time shows that this indicator is normal), but with a lack of estrogen. These are substances that have a protective effect, do not allow inflammation and the formation of acne. After removal of the ovaries, a hormone-associated rash is not uncommon. The same can be said about patients with reduced thyroid function: hypothyroidism interferes with the normal functioning of the reproductive system and sufficient secretion of estrogens.
Menstrual cycle and rashes
At the beginning of the cycle, estrogens prevail in the blood of women, but after ovulation, their concentration decreases, and the level of progesterones, on the contrary, rises. If a woman is healthy, then the amount of testosterone in her body should remain the same, regardless of the phase of the cycle. If its level is exceeded, then with a decrease in estrogen (the least of these hormones is produced on the eve of menstruation), testosterone begins to activate, manifested by acne on the face, chest, neck.
A similar process occurs in adulthood, when ovarian function fades and estrogen in the body becomes less, while testosterone continues to be produced by the adrenal glands with the same activity.
Treatment principles
First of all, you need to make sure that the cause of the rashes is precisely hormonal imbalance. For this, the doctor will direct the patient to take tests that will determine the level of androgens, estrogens, progesterones, thyroid-stimulating hormone. Ultrasound of the organs of the endocrine system and ovaries may be required to clarify the diagnosis.
Treatment of hormonal acne in women should be based on the elimination of factors that cause skin problems. Acne must be dealt with comprehensively. First of all, it is necessary to work on restoring the functions of the sebaceous glands, to achieve healing of existing acne and to eliminate inflammation in the hair follicles. After skin healing, measures are taken to remove age spots and acne scars. Before treating hormonal acne, a woman should also reconsider her diet, consult a doctor about the use of external drugs, conducting medical and hygienic procedures.
Drug therapy
Treatment involves not only the use of external funds for hormonal acne, but also the administration of oral medications necessary for the treatment of the main disease causing hormonal failure - polycystic ovaries, hyperandrogenism, hypothyroidism, and diabetes mellitus.
Some drugs reduce the synthesis of androgens and help restore hormonal levels. The drugs that suppress male hormones include Cyproterone, Gestrinone, Nilutamide, and Finasteride.
In addition, it is recommended to use drugs that minimize the severity of symptoms. To treat acne on the skin, you need to use retinoids - tablet preparations that contain trace elements that are structurally similar to vitamin A. Of the retinoids, women are often prescribed:
- "Retasol."
- Adapalene.
- "Differin."
- "Tretionin".
Such drugs are effective in treating mild hormonal acne in women on the face. Retinoids help normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands and reduce the production of natural sebum.
Oral contraceptives for acne
If the cause of rashes on the face is a deficiency of estrogen, a woman is prescribed to take birth control pills. Hormonal oral contraceptives reduce the influence of male androgens and support the necessary hormonal background. The most common and safest drugs are:
- "Regulon."
- "Janine."
- "Yarina."
- "Diana 35."
- Logest.
Hormone pills for women from acne should be taken in the same way as to prevent pregnancy. Skipping the drug is undesirable.
Means for external use
If retinoids show low efficiency, local drugs cannot be dispensed with. To eliminate inflammation of the skin, it is recommended to use non-hormonal ointments based on zinc, erythromycin and other antiseptic components. For instance:
- "Klenzit S";
- "Erythromycin-gel";
- "Baneocin";
- Vishnevsky ointment;
- "Zinerite";
- Baziron.
With a severe degree of hormonal rashes, ointments and creams containing corticosteroids are prescribed. Among such funds, Dermoveit, Elok, Lokoid are popular. Unlike previous remedies, hormonal ointments cannot be used for a long time: they are addictive and side effects.
Women's Home Treatment Reviews
Hormonal acne in women can be treated not only with pharmaceutical drugs. If you study the feedback of users, instead of ointments and tablets, homemade lotions, masks and baths with medicinal herbs do a good job. To eliminate inflammatory foci on the skin often use:
- agave;
- peppermint;
- calendula
- chamomile;
- sage;
- oak bark.
These plants have an antiseptic and decongestant effect, effectively relieve inflammation. At the same time, you need to understand that folk remedies will be effective only if the cause of the hormonal failure is eliminated. In addition, it must be borne in mind that hot compresses should not be applied to the face, since local heating of the skin can lead to the spread of the inflammation zone and the deterioration of the epidermis.
Judging by the reviews, women often treat hormonal acne on their own, without rushing to consult a doctor with this problem. Many try to get rid of the rash by natural means. In particular, the following recipes are popular:
- With aloe. 2-3 drops of rosemary oil are added to the pulp obtained from the leaf of this plant. The resulting lotion is rubbed on the skin of the face during the day. The product cleans well, so it can be used before applying therapeutic ointments.
- Vegetable face mask. Cucumber, potatoes and pumpkin are triturated and the gruels obtained are mixed in equal amounts. Then add 2 tbsp to the vegetable mix. l sour cream and applied to the skin, evenly distributed over the surface and without affecting the skin around the eyes. Hold the mask for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
- Infusion of oak bark. 1 liter of boiling water will require 3 tbsp. l plant materials. The resulting solution needs to be washed or wiped with a rash several times a day. Before use, the infusion is filtered through cheesecloth.
- Wormwood compress. Wormwood infusion is prepared in the same way as the previous remedy with oak bark. A piece of natural tissue is soaked in infusion, applied to the face and held for 30-40 minutes.
Folk recipes do not help everyone from hormonal acne, but, according to reviews, most women notice an improvement after prolonged use. Before starting treatment with home remedies, you should make sure that there is no allergic reaction to the components used.
Additional Acne Treatments
There are additional ways to treat pustules on the skin caused by hormonal imbalance. To get rid of acne on the face, you can use one of the physiotherapeutic methods. If you have acne, dermatologists recommend a course:
- phototherapy - exposure to light flashes that destroy the pathogenic microflora in the foci of inflammation;
- ozone therapy - enrichment of soft tissues with oxygen by exposure to nitrogen, which contributes to the regeneration of the epidermis;
- mesotherapy - it is supposed to introduce subcutaneous self-absorbable drugs that help eliminate scar formation and accelerate the healing process.
If the rashes are followed for a long time, it will not be possible to avoid scars after acne. In severe advanced cases, a cosmetic defect can be eliminated with a laser.