Our hormones control countless activities in our bodies. Men and women both deal with a wide variety of issues regarding hormones including hormonal acne. Many experts will state that acne is a hormonal issue since our hormones are responsible for the oil glands in our skin.

Understanding Hormonal Acne

Hormonal acne can be caused by an imbalance in our hormones due to pregnancy, puberty, menopause, and a plethora of other triggers. Androgen hormones, which are male hormones that appear in both men and women, are another source of hormonal acne. These specific androgen hormones are a key factor in clogging hair pores which can result in pesky pimples.

Hormonal Acne in Women

As we stated earlier, hormonal acne can appear and be a problem for both men and women. Women might have to deal with a greater amount of hormonal acne due to the many changes their body goes through. Multiple pregnancies, pre-menopause and menopause cause great surges in hormones which can lead to hormonal acne. Regardless of the reason for your hormonal acne, there are a number of treatments that can be used to combat it in men and women.

Treatments for Hormonal Acne

Some individuals that suffer from hormonal acne turn to their local stores. There are countless over-the-counter topical ointments, face washes, and creams that can help combat acne. Most of these types of treatments will contain benzoyl peroxide or glycolic acid that has been proven to fight acne.

Some women have been known to turn to birth control pills to deal with hormonal acne. Some of the low-estrogen birth control pills have shown positive results as an acne treatment. It is best to realize that this solution might not work for every woman. You must consult your doctor and weigh the benefits and risks of starting a birth control system of any kind. Birth control pills can interfere with other medications or not be a smart choice for some women.

Instead of visiting your general practitioner for advice, many men and women turn to their dermatologist. A dermatologist can assess your type of acne and provide you with treatment options that will work best for your specific needs. There are a great number of prescription medications that can provide positive results for some hormonal acne suffers. Just like any other type of medication, some of these acne fighting medications have side effects. The side effects can range from mild peeling to severe birth defects. You must speak with your dermatologist and make a conscious decision on your acne fighting treatment. You need to have all the knowledge before you choose a treatment plan.

Hormonal acne can be frustrating. It can be annoying to wake up to a new set of pimples every morning. If over-the-counter products are not working to fight your hormonal acne, turn to your dermatologist to learn about the other treatments available. Your hormones may be imbalanced from time to time, but you can do something about it! Start to fight your hormonal acne today.