As if being bloated, crampy, and cranky as all get out isn’t bad enough, some of us also get period acne. As a matter of fact, 65 percent of people report a worsening of their acne during their period.
Let’s talk about period acne in detail on this article, including it’s treatment options.
Here’s what to know about managing and treating period-related acne and whether you’re dealing with run-of-the-mill breakouts or stubborn, painful chin cysts.
First, know what you’re dealing with.
Before going into battle, it’s always best to know who your opponent is. In the case of period acne, this means knowing how to differentiate a hormonal break out from a regular one.
The easiest way to do this is to look at the timing. Acne that’s related to your period is more likely to flare up during the week leading up to your period or during your period. Plus, it tends to clear up or improve when your period is ending or over.
Already have acne? You might notice that it gets worse during this time. If you tend to have clear skin, you might notice a pimple or two pop up.
The Science Behind Acne and Periods.
The average menstrual cycle is 28 days, and each of these days is different hormonally. “In the first half of a woman’s menstrual cycle, the predominant hormone is estrogen; in the second half, the main hormone is progesterone”, explains ob-gyn Elizabeth Gutrecht Lyster, MD. Lyster is part of Holtorf Medical Group in Orange County, Calif. “Then levels of both hormones fall to their lowest levels of the month as bleeding approaches,” she says.
These behind-the-scenes hormonal shifts do all sorts of things to a woman’s skin. For one, the mid-cycle progesterone rise stimulates the production of sebum. Sebum is a thick, oily substance that acts as a natural skin lubricant.
“And as levels of progesterone increase, skin swells and pores are compressed shut,” explains dermatologist Audrey Kunin, MD, As a result, pores never looked so minimized. “But this tourniquet effect also causes sebum to build up beneath the skin’s surface.”
In addition, higher testosterone levels around menstruation further activate the sebaceous glands to make even more sebum.
Sebum yields different effects in different women. “For some, it produces a healthy glow; for others, it creates a chronic oil slick,” Kunin says. The oil provides food for the bacterium P. acnes. This bacterium causes increased breakouts and inflammation around the time of women’s periods.
Where Does Period Acne Occur?.
Period acne usually occurs along your jawline and around your chin area. You may notice tiny (or large) cysts popping up during your time of the month. These cysts can even be painful and result in more breakouts and infection if you attempt to pop them. Popping and squeezing can leave scars behind.
Treating Menstrual Acne.
For acne closely related to your period, you may need to do something hormonally to intervene. An ob gyn or endocrinologist can help. Treatment option includes;
Birth Control Pills.
birth control pills may help women who see a clear link between their acne and periods. “Anything that raises estrogen levels will lessen the effects of testosterone in women,” Lyster says. Birth control pills work by increasing a protein called sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in the blood. “SHBG acts like a sponge, soaking up the free testosterone in the bloodstream,” she says. “This means there is less testosterone available to cause acne”,
Birth control pills also work by slowing down oil production. Some pills are specifically approved for the management of acne. These pills include Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Estrosten, and Yaz.
If you start using birth control pills to control acne, be patient. When some women begin taking the pill, they experience increased acne for the first three to four months in response to the change in hormones. This should subside as your body adjusts.
If acne doesn’t respond to birth control pills alone, your doctor may add medication to lower testosterone levels. This medication, called spironolactone, curbs testosterone-related oil production in the skin. Side effects include breast tenderness, irregular periods headaches, and Fatigue Spironolactone is not appropriate for all women; be sure to discuss its risks and benefits with your doctor.
Home Remedies To Treat Period Acne.
1. Tea Tree Oil.
Tea tree oil is effective in reducing inflammation. It also has antimicrobial properties that help reduce acne symptoms like redness and swelling.
2. Tumeric.
Turmeric has been traditionally used for years as a remedy to treat a host of skin issues. Its anti-inflammatory properties can improve acne symptoms like redness, swelling and pain.
3. Honey.
Honey is a therapeutic agent, used in a number of ayurvedic products to address various skin concerns. Apart from moisturization, honey has antimicrobial properties that can kill acne causing bacteria.
4. Warm Compress.
A warm compress will help drain out pus and reduce swelling. Place it on your pimple for 10-15 minutes every day.
5. Warm Green Tea Bag.
A warm green tea bag will reduce inflammation. Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties that can be effective in reducing pimple pain and swelling.
6. Cold compress.
A cold compress will help reduce pain and swelling. Push it against your pimple for 5-10 minutes every day.
7. Avoid sugar and dairy (sorry!).
“The number one food to avoid is sugar in all its forms, and then cow dairy in all its forms,” says Stacey. Both sugar and cow dairy can increase insulin levels, which in turn can contribute to acne.
Also, if you want to keep your skin clear, you’re going to want to skip fresh-squeezed juice. Yeah, it sounds counter-intuitive, but Stacey says that juice will “send your insulin levels through the roof” because of all its sugars!
Focusing on a sugar and dairy-free diet specifically the week before and after ovulation (and that’s day 14 of your cycle) works best. “What happens on day 14 is going to affect what happens right before your period—the damage is already done around five days before your period.”
For the best results though, you should stick to the diet all month long.
What Happens To Our Hormones During Menstruation?.
The menstruation process begins during puberty. It involves the shedding of a lining inside the uterus. This lining develops approximately every 28-30 days to prepare for a fertilized egg if the woman gets pregnant. If fertilization doesn’t occur, the body releases that lining through the vagina. This is when bleeding occurs.
Progesterone is a female hormone that is responsible for the thickening of the uterine lining. This lining supports the baby in the mother’s womb. When fertilization doesn’t occur, progesterone and estrogen levels decrease. It causes shedding of the uterine wall. Androgen levels may also fluctuate during your period cycle.
This hormonal fluctuation is what stimulates sebaceous glands to produce too much sebum, resulting in acne pimples.
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