Why is the PCOS Acne so Stubborn?
PCOS is a hormonal disorder that causes enlarged ovaries. In addition to affecting a woman’s fertility, PCOS can cause several hormonal side-effects which includes acne.
PCOS, Hormones and Acne
PCOS is the most common reproductive endocrine condition among women who are in their reproductive age. Although conversations about PCOS often focus on nonmalignant causes, hormonal imbalance is a critical condition. PCOS disrupts the production signals of 3 important hormones; estrogen, progesterone and testosterone produced by the pituitary glands. When these signals go wrong, the levels of estrogen and progesterone drops and the levels of testosterone increases. This prevents ovulation and cause symptoms like:
- Irregular periods
- Acne
- Hirsutism
- Sudden weight gain and difficulty in weight loss
- Dark patches around neck
What causes Acne?
PCOS is just one of the many risk factors for acne.
In general, acne is caused by:
- Excess oil production
- Dead skin cells
- Bacteria
- Excess hormones
Acne may also result from:
- Stress
- Hormonal changes like pregnancy
- Medicines
How can you treat Acne in PCOS?
Treating the fundamental hormonal imbalance is the only way to treat PCOS related acne. Your doctor may prescribe one of the following:
Oral contraceptives:
Oral contraceptive has been found effective in the treatment of hormonal acne. Your doctor may prescribe the most suitable combination pill according to your condition that will help stabilize your hormone levels. However, birth control pills must be avoided if you have a history of breast cancer, clots, smoking and high blood pressure.
Anti-androgen drugs:
Anti- androgen drugs are drugs prescribed by doctors to testosterone levels. Even though androgens are classified as “male” hormones, women have naturally occurring androgens too, the difference being lesser quantities. Sometimes PCOS and other hormonal conditions can create too much testosterone in the body which can cause increased sebum and skin cell production, leading to acne.
Dietary Alterations:
Although dietary changes are alone not enough to treat PCOS, they are a crucial component in the treatment plan. Women with pcos must reduce the intake of inflammatory foods like carbs and meet and reduce the intake of anti-inflammatory foods like tomatoes, walnuts, almonds, spinach and berries.
Take away:
It is important to know that PCOS acne treatment will not work effectively if good skin practices are not maintained. Make sure to follow a good cleansing routine regularly to get effective results.
