Acne in Women

Acne in Women


Men and women are very different creatures when it comes to hormones and the entire system of psychological and physical effects deriving from it. One good example for this statement is acne. The accelerated hormonal development in boys almost always results in acne, but this is not the case for girls. Women often develop acne for the first time in their 20s or even later.

“Women have less chance of developing the kind of acne that plagues men, but they also have a harder time getting rid of it.”

Of course, the fertility cycle and the hormonal changes it triggers throughout the body is often the cause of sporadic acne outbreaks in women, although the exact process is poorly understood at this moment. High levels of androgens are the likely cause for premenstrual acne, since it is known that androgens regulate the oil production in sebaceous glands. The more androgens around, the higher the risk of clogging pores with excess sebum.

Treatments for Hormonally Influenced Acne in Women

In some women, acne is caused by an excess of androgen (male) hormones. Clues that this may be the case include hirsutism (excessive growth of hair on the face or body), premenstrual acne flares, irregular menstrual cycles, and elevated blood levels of certain androgens.

The doctor may prescribe one of several drugs to treat women with this type of acne:

  • Birth control pills, to help suppress the androgen produced by the ovaries
  • Low-dose corticosteroid drugs, such as prednisone (Deltasone) or dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol) ? to help suppress the androgen produced by the adrenal glands
  • Antiandrogen drugs such as spironolactone (Aldactone), to reduce the excessive oil production.

Side effects of antiandrogen drugs may include irregular menstruation, tender breasts, headaches, and fatigue.

Women have less chance of developing the kind of acne that plagues men, but they also have a harder time getting rid of it. During pregnancy, women suffering from acne must get by with topical treatments recommended by their doctor and are not allowed to use drugs. Birth control pills are a common way of treating acne, since they interfere precisely with the hormonal cycle and serve to rein in acne. However, the use of any kind of pills to treat acne should be supervised by a doctor.

One of the best methods for getting rid of acne is the ClearPores System. This amazingly effective system uses deep washes, pills and creams to cleanse your pores, kill bacteria and protect your skin against renewed attacks. It’s really the perfect choice.

Top Rated Acne Products:
AcneZine - nothing works better to clear your complexion than the revolutionary Acnezine anti-oxidant.
Clearpores - To clear and heal your skin, the best acne recovery system for life.

Related acne information:
Acne During Pregnancy - how to fight common acne during and after pregnancy.
Self Help - explaining strategies to help prevent pimples.

Syndicated by ClearPores™ skin cleansing system and the ClearPores information center.


Glossary of terms found on this page: 

  • Hormones: Substances produced by the endocrine glands of the body. Hormones are released directly into the bloodstream and have a specific effect on cells and organs in the body, stimulating or turning off their growth.
  • Fertility: Fertility is the ability of people or animals to produce healthy offspring in abundance.
  • Sporadic: recurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instances.
  • Androgens: Sex steroid hormones, including testosterone, found in higher levels in males than females. Androgen is the generic term for any natural or synthetic compound, usually a steroid hormone, that stimulates or controls the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics in vertebrates by binding to androgen receptors.
  • Sebaceous glands: Oil-producing glands at the base of every sebaceous hair follicle — the tiny holes commonly called pores. Found on the face, neck, back and chest, these follicles are the sites of acne lesions.
  • Sebum: An oily secretion manufactured by tiny sebaceous glands near the follicles that keeps your hair lubricated and shiny.

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