Acne, Women, Hormones and Polycystic Ovary Disease
By Naweko San-Joyz
More frequently women are combating acne and wrinkles
simultaneously. It’s a hideous fight wrought with mysterious hormone
signals and an even more baffling search for a cure.
Dermatologist Diane Thiboutot, MD, associate professor
of medicine at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center , Hershey , Pa.,
proposes to clarify acne options for women. Dr. Thiboutot explains
that control of acne is an ongoing process and that all acne treatments
work by preventing new acne.
While most women suffering from adult acne seek standard
treatments such as topical preparations or antibiotics, 60 percent
of these femmes either do not respond to standard acne treatments
or build up a tolerance to frequently prescribed medications such
as antibiotics.
Causes of Adult Acne
It is not yet known exactly what causes adult acne,
but several dermatologist link adult acne to hormone fluctuations.
Acne in a woman is often linked to her menstrual cycle. Women with
premenstrual acne outbreaks, such as pimples on the lower face and
neck, seem to respond particularly well to treatment with medications
that either reduce or block androgen production.
Androgen hormones create male traits in women such
as a deepening of the voice, an increased libido or hirsutism that
causes excessive or abnormal growth of hair. They also stimulate the
oil glands. The oil mixes with skin cells and bacteria, causing inflammation
in the skin that can result in the arrival of zits. You can forgo
the androgen blocking hormones by properly consuming essential fatty
acids such as those found in salmon and olive oil.
Before your dermatologist prescribes hormone therapy,
she may perform a standard screening that includes two hormones -
testosterone and DHEAS (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate). It is important
that you stop taking oral contraceptives for at least one month before
any tests are performed because birth control pills can suppress androgens.
Treatment options
The birth control pill is a centerpiece of hormonal
therapy, albeit a bemoaned option. The medications most successfully
employed in controlling acne contain a hormone called progestin with
low androgenic activity (with generic pharmaceutical names such as
norgestimate or desogestrel) combined with 35 micrograms of ethinyl
estradiol, an estrogen.
Risk Factors with Hormone Therapy
Dr. Thiboutot counsels, "As with any therapy, there
are risks and rewards. The risks of hormonal therapy require regular
breast and pelvic exams to guard against the increased risk of certain
types of cancers.
It is vitally important that dermatologists work with
the patient's gynecologist to determine the most appropriate treatment
and follow-up especially in women over the age of 40 or those who
might be smokers,"
Polycystic Ovary Disease
Acne may also be an indicator of polycystic ovary
disease, a hormonal imbalanced characterized by irregular menstruation,
obesity, infertility, acne and hair growth on the face, chest, and
back (hirsutism).
Like acne, polycystic ovary disease is caused by an
imbalance in androgen hormones. Dermatologists should work closely
with the young patient's gynecologist to reduce the risks of infertility,
cardiovascular disease and insulin-resistant diabetes. Identifying
polycystic ovary disease is an important contribution to the long-term
health of these young patients, not to mention adults as well.
Dr. Thiboutot concludes that, "Hormonal therapy is
a good treatment for many teenage and adult women," and "It is used
less often than it could be because there are so many options to choose
from. The patient should realize it is a good adjunct therapy."
Nevertheless, hormones are immensely complex and use
of hormone therapy is riddled with enigmas. There are several well-written
books available to help you gain control of your hormones without
encountering the risks of hormone therapy. I’ve listed some of my
favorites below. Good luck.
Androgen Disorders in Women: The Most Neglected
Hormone Problem
by Theresa Cheung
Hormone Deception: How Everyday Foods and
Products Are Disrupting Your Hormones--and How to Protect Yourself
and Your Family
by D. Lindsey Berkson
PCOS: The Hidden Epidemic
by Samuel S. Thatcher M.D. Ph.D.
It's My Ovaries, Stupid!
by Elizabeth Lee Vliet
Hormonal Chaos: The Scientific and Social
Origins of the Environmental Endocrine Hypothesis
by Sheldon Krimsky
Health author and Noixia campaigner Naweko San-Joyz
lovingly writes from her home in San Diego. Her works include “Acne
Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne” (ISBN:
0974912204) and the upcoming work “Skinny Fat Chicks, Why we’re still
not getting this dieting thing” (ISBN: 0974912212) for release in
June of 2005. For useful acne self-help articles visit http://www.noixia.com
