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Hormonal acne may be a misnomer since most acne can be traced back to fluctuations in hormone levels. A common misunderstanding is that men have testosterone and women estrogen and progesterone; when in reality both sexes have a balance of all 3. The primary culprit in the formation of acne relates to fluctuations in androgens (males hormones) and in particular testosterone, DHEAS (dihyroepiandrosterone sulfate) and DHT (dehydrotestosterone). Elevation in these hormones can lead to over secretion by the sebaceous glands and the onset of acne formation.
The most common period of life when the adrenal glands start to produce these hormones is at the onset of puberty. This helps explain why oily skin and acne are so prevalent among teenagers. Naturally, since boys have more "male" hormones, teen acne tends to be more severe in males. This also helps explain why males that use performance enhancing anabolic steroids, which belong to the androgen class of hormones experience frequent acne on their face and torso.
This may help to explain why teenage males have acne but what about women and in particular adult women. In many instances there is a temporal relationship to the mid-cycle of the menstrual cycle which is often associated with the highest level of estrogen and androgens. After ovulation progesterone levels increase which can also stimulate sebaceous gland secretions. Hormones are also thought to be responsible for acne in a significant percentage of pregnant women during the third trimester when the sebaceous glands go into high gear, causing oily skin and frequent breakouts. Some women even experience acne after menopause, when estrogen levels begin to taper off and testosterone becomes the dominant hormone.
Signs that your acne may be hormonally induced include:
The common denominator physiologically speaking for all of these conditions is an increase in sebaceous gland activity mediated by hormonal fluctuations. The increase in sebaceous gland activity results in the over production of sebum (oil) which eventually leads to clogged pores and the formation of pimples.
One approach for women with hormonal acne is to use oral contraceptives (OC) to modulate the endogenous levels of both female and male hormones to the extent that their effect on sebaceous gland secretions is minimized. The use of OC is not an option for men with either adult onset acne or teenagers. For women with "androgen" induced acne an alternative approach is the use of Spironolactone (Aldactone®) which is routinely used as a potassium sparing diuretic by inhibiting water resorption in the kidneys. It happens that Spironolactone also inhibits aldosterone secretion by the adrenal gland and is reported to have anti-androgen effects. Aldactone will only be effective if your acne is androgen induced.
AcnEase is an all natural herbal medicine that specifically inhibits the impact of fluctuating hormone levels on sebaceous gland secretions. AcnEase does not affect hormone levels per se but rather modulates their effect on sebaceous gland secretions. This mechanism of action helps explain why AcnEase is equally effective in treating adolescent and adult acne. Likewise, AcnEase can be used by both men and women. Cystic acne in women is often associated with increased levels of androgens. AcnEase has proven to be extremely effective in the treatment of women with cystic acne further supporting the products ability to inhibit hormonal influence on sebaceous gland excess production of sebum. AcnEase is the safe alternative for women that stop taking OC in order to start their families and experience acne flare-ups. Similarly for women that have recently had children and are experiencing changes in their skin with periodic acne.
Most importantly AcnEase is safe and by addressing the causes of acne it will prevent the future outbursts letting your skin to clear and to began a healing process for skin scars and acne marks.