To go over the basics once more, acne is caused by the actions of the male hormone androgen on oil glands that enlarge and become increasingly sensitive, producing excessive oil and leading to clogging of pores. That in turn causes white heads and blackheads, which, with the help of acne bacteria (P. Acnes), inflame to become ugly red pimples and pustules.

It has been discovered that anti-testosterones in combination with estrogens significantly reduce androgenic hormone levels. A casual chat with your dermatologist or physician ought to give you more details.

Allied to this process is the direct injecting of cortisone into particularly large acne pustules, which basically flattens it and thus reduces both the redness and the swelling. You may experience a slight whitening of the area around the injection point, but that’s about it.

I know for a fact that hormonal treatment for acne has benefited several of my friends, and I would recommend it to the ladies out there. Let us know how you get on, eh?

 
The point is that acne does not affect only teenagers. Plenty of adults (post-teens) get acne too, though no one seems to know why. From what I’ve read and heard, acne affects roughly 25% of adult males and 50% of adult females. People can develop acne, or suffer a recurrence of acne, into their 30s and 40s and even beyond.

 
By general consensus, adult acne seems to be tied up with hormonal irregularities, particularly in women, who are likely to develop adult acne if their menstrual cycle shows signs of hormonal irregularity. And most adult women are likely to develop rosacea, which is not exactly acne, but darn sure looks like it and can be just as damaging socially and psychologically.

 
Studies show that cases of adult acne are increasing, and the American Dermatology Association has found that the median age for acne patients has risen from 20.5 years to 26.5 years. In the USA alone, more than 17 million adults have acne. While many of these people may have suffered from acne in their teenage as well, many more have developed it as adults. The core reason seems to be the same as in teen acne: overactive glands that produce excess androgen and thereby stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil that clogs the pores and follicles in the skin. But does that make adult acne easier to bear? I wouldn’t say so.

And like always, drink lots and lots of water, avoid oil-based cosmetics, and eat all the fruit you can. Just imagine what it will do for your unborn baby. The best thing is that all this may actually become a habit, so you develop a healthier lifestyle altogether. Now that’s a great reason to get pregnant. 

The bottom line is that there is no scientific truth to the belief that certain types of sexual activity (or inactivity) cause acne. In fact, clinical experiments – involving adult male rhesus monkeys, our close relatives – have been conducted to disprove the belief. And if all this does not convince you, here’s my clinching argument: have you seen a eunuch with acne?

The Truth About Birth Control Pill Acne

Recent medical studies and clinical trials have shown that birth control pills can indeed be an effective remedy for acne prevention. To fully understand how birth control pills can reduce acne, you first need to understand some of the causes of acne.

The female body produces male hormones known as androgens or testosterone. The production of these hormones increases just before the monthly menstrual cycle is about to start, which in turn increases the production of oil in your skin. Excess oil feeds the acne-causing bacteria on your skin, leading to block skin pores and consequently to a break out of pimples. By taking birth control pills, the presence of excess androgens in the body can be controlled, which eventually leads to less oil production and fewer acne inflammations.

Another way in which birth control pill acne works is by regulating the menstrual cycle in women. Women who have irregular periods do so because the hormonal production in their body is not optimal. By using birth control pills, they can regularize their period as well as the hormonal production in their body, thereby reducing instances of acne breakout.

Side Effects Of Birth Control Pill Acne

Birth control pill acne is known to cause various side effects in women. Some of these are:

•    Headache
•    Nausea
•    Weight gain
•    Depression
•    Water retention and bloating
•    Vaginal bleeding
•    Dark brown patches on skin
•    Increased risk of strokes, heart attacks, and breast cancer.

Although severe side effects are not very common, they are known to happen. Thus, you should weigh the benefits of birth control pill acne against its side effects before deciding if it is the right acne treatment for you. If your doctor does prescribe birth control pills for acne prevention, you should perhaps take the pills for a few weeks and see whether or not you do suffer from any adverse effects. If not, you may continue to take the pills to control acne.

Which Birth Control Pill Acne Should You Take

Low dose birth control pills that contain a newer progestin known as norgestimate are best for treating acne. Those pills that contain the older progestin known as norgestrel can actually worsen acne in women who do not have it. Also, birth control pill acne that has high content of androgens and low content of estrogen should be avoided as they may increase acne instead of reducing it.

Hormonal acne treatment is tailored to shut off this mechanism by dealing with the oil’s production.  Most women are prescribed some form of contraceptive pills and anti-androgen medications.  Some of them have also been found to help in treating polycystic syndrome in the ovaries, which are directly responsible for androgen and male hormone levels.  These particular hormones can cause excessive acne, and hair on the body and face.

Contraceptive pills are considered to be the best hormonal acne treatment so far as they consist of estrogen and progestins.  They work by:

•    Decreasing adrenal
•    Decreasing androgen production
•    Eradicating harmful enzyme production

Dermatologists have found this type of hormonal acne treatment is very successful as are the resulting effects.  These are used in combination with ointments and can:

•    Combat mild to minimal hormonal acne – no scars
•    Combat medium level acne – limited or no scars
•    Work to stop inflammation

Contraceptive pills have clearly been proven as a hormonal acne treatment to lower outbreaks by around fifty %, after six months of treatment.  However, this treatment for hormonal acne does have some side effects, including:

•    Sore breasts
•    Nausea
•    Headaches
•    These usually subside by the 2nd month, but other more rare complications may occur:
•    Spotting or irregular periods
•    Decreased or increased appetite
•    Weight gain
•    Extreme moodiness
•    Mild to severe psychosis
•    Clinical depression
•    Melasma or facial pigmentation
•    Hair loss

It is important to remember that any hormone acne treatment should be supervised by a doctor, and get advice first before stopping them.