Hormonal Acne in Adults and Available Treatments

Acne. Zits. Pimples. It’s all hormonal. How many times did we hear, “it’s all hormonal,” while we were teenagers suffering from acne? While we understood that our bodies were producing more of what was necessary to become “adults,” we falsely presumed that once we made it through that trying time, we would never suffer from “hormonal acne” ever again. Unfortunately, for many adults, acne returns in time as the body goes through an additional variety of hormonal changes.

Adult Hormonal Acne

While younger men are more susceptible to hormonal acne when their testosterone levels are jumping off the charts during teenage years and into their early twenties, it is actually women who will be confronted more often during adulthood with hormonal acne issues.

Hormonal Acne and Menstruation

Many women struggle with the occasional breakout just before menstruation – this is caused by a decrease in estrogen, and an increase in progesterone necessary for the monthly cycle to take place. Such acne is most often treated with topical ointments, an effective skin care regimen like Proactiv, or a prescription from a dermatologist. Many women who are on birth control opt for a version of the birth control pill that aids in skin complexion clarity over time.

Hormonal Acne and Pregnancy

The first trimester of pregnancy is often accompanied by a body that simply does its own thing, regardless of what might be hoped for. For most pregnant women, the hormones are in a state you have never before experienced. However, as the pregnancy progresses, estrogen levels will rise and oftentimes, acne symptoms and severity of breakouts disappear altogether.

Hormonal Acne Caused by Stress

Stress is considered yet another cause of adult acne – one of the variable causes that is still not fully understood. Biologically it seems simple enough. Stress triggers the adrenal gland to manufacture more hormones, thus more fuel for the “acne fire” is produced, and can lead to breakouts at any age. Continuing in the realm of health and wellness, stress also breaks down the immune system, robs the body of vitamins and nutrients that aid in healthy immune system and organ function, including the skin. In such a state, the body is more susceptible to small infections and the skin is more susceptible to acne.

Treatments for Adult Hormonal Acne

Treatments for adult acne are as varied as acne sufferers themselves. Due to the nature of the disease, treatment is best prescribed by a dermatologist if adult acne problems persist or become severe. For mild and occasional breakouts, a topical ointment or acne preventative skin care regimen will often do the trick.