hormonal acne
treatments for women

Hormonal Acne Treatments for
Women

We know that hormones are
what cause acne. Androgen hormones including
dihydrotestosterone and testosterone, the adrenal precursor
dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate, and other hormones, including
growth hormone or insulin-like growth factors all may have a
role to play in acne. A hormonal acne treatment can be used for
women. Hormonal acne treatments seek to either block the
androgen receptors in the sebaceaous gland (spironolactone,
flutamide, and cyproterone acetate which I won’t discuss since
it is not available in the United States) or moderate these
hormones in women using birth control pills containing
estrogen, or what are known as gonadotropin-releasing hormone
agonists (that’s a mouthful).

READ MY REVIEWS OF THE TOP-RATED
ACNE TREATMENTS HERE!

Corrective
Mask

My personal feeling is that
these hormonal acne treatments may work as long as you continue
taking them but they don’t cure the root of the problem. They
are more like a corrective mask as opposed to the
treatments that I
recommend which
may actually cure the problem permanently. However, these acne
treatments may be useful where other treatments have failed
(and if you are a woman! – sorry guys) or if there is an
underlying endocrine disorder. If you have an endocrine
disorder, you should pay attention to your doctor when it comes
to taking these treatments. My advice is more suited to women
without underlying medical conditions.

Birth Control
Pills

It has been known for a long
time that estrogen given in the form of birth control pills
helps to reduce acne in women. Estrogen reduces sebum
production and with lower sebum, comes fewer pimples. It takes
a stronger dose of estrogen to suppress sebum production than
it does to stop ovulation.

The original
birth control pills contained 150 micrograms (mcg) of
estrogen and these doses worked great for acne. Because of
the side effects from estrogen, today’s pills contain much
less – usually 25-40 mcg and are less effective in acne
treatments than birth control pills of old. Still, studies
have shown that between 50-75% of women who take birth
control pills experience acne reduction of almost 50%.
While this sounds like a lot, it is far from a cure. You
can still expect to have half of your pimples while taking
the birth control pill. It works best if you combine the
pill with other treatments if you want truly clear
skin.

Many women find that they
develop acne when they stop taking birth control pills. This is
because the estrogen in the pills was working to reduce
androgen hormone production by the ovaries. However, it also
illustrates that the underlying cause of acne – hormone
imbalance – returns once this treatment is stopped and other
homeopathic treatments may be in order to tackle this
underlying problem. Birth control pills often take three months
before you notice any result.

Gonadotropin-Releasing
Hormone Agonists

These agents are related to
birth control pills in that they also block androgen production
by the ovaries. buserelin, nafarelin, and leuprolide are
examples of this type of medication and they are available by
injection or as a nasal spray. These drugs basically eliminate
the function of the ovary and suppress the ovarian production
of estrogens. If you take this medication, you may develop
symptoms of menopause and also hypoestrogenism. You may suffer from headaches and bone
loss because of the lack of estrogen.

Spironolactone
(Aldactone)

This drug decreases sebum
production by 30-50% in women who take it. It is sometimes used
in woman who have deep inflammatory nodules and not if you have
mild to moderate acne. Side effects include breast tenderness
and irregular menstrual cycle (which can be inconvenient!)
Anyone taking this treatment for acne must be monitored by
their doctor for potential side effects. Stomach bleeding,
rashes, and interference with anti-depressants are frequent
side effects. This drug is used to treat high blood pressure
and is a diuretic so you may have to urinate more frequently
and take more water when you are on this treatment. It can take
6 months before the benefits to your complexion are
known.

Flutamide
(Eulexin)

This antiandrogen is available
in the United States and is a very strong drug usually used to
treat prostate cancer. Anyone taking this has to be monitored
for liver problems because there is a high risk of hepatitis
and even fatal hepatitis. In this case, the risks seem to
outweigh the rewards. I would have serious questions for a
dermatologist who prescribes flutamide to treat acne. But it is
done. It will take 6 months (if you don’t heed my advice to
avoid it) before the benefits are clear.