Although they are not welcome, the pimples that appear like clockwork every month in women are totally normal. They are the result of normal fluctuations in hormones that occur during the menstrual cycle, particularly around ovulation. By understanding more about the causes of their monthly acne, women may be able to alleviate some of the break-outs.
Acne and Sebum
Pimples develop because of a build-up of sebum, an oil-like substance, inside the pores of the skin. The sebum clogs the pores and attracts bacteria, and this causes pimples to form.
Sebum and Testosterone
Testosterone levels surge during the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle, according to a study published in 1981 in the journal "Psychosomatic Medicine." According to Medical News Today, testosterone increases sebum production. Therefore, it makes sense that ovulation is the time of the month when acne usually flares up.
Controlling Hormones Through Diet
It may be possible to limit your body's testosterone levels by changing what you eat. According to a study published in 2005 in the "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology," teenagers who eat a lot of dairy are much more likely to suffer from serious acne. In the book "The Clear Skin Diet," authors Dr. Alan Logan and nutritionist Valori Treloar argue that milk produced from pregnant cows contains hormones that the body can convert into testosterone. As a result, teens and adults who limit dairy consumption may have clearer skin.
Avoiding sugar and simple starches may also improve acne, Logan and Treloar argue. Foods with a low-glycemic index trigger the body's production of insulin, a hormone that can indirectly increase testosterone levels.
Controlling Hormones Through Medication
Another effective way of controlling acne is to temper your hormones through medication. Birth control pills like Ortho Tri-cyclen, for instance, reduce androgen levels; a study published in 2007 in "Skin Therapy Letter" by J. K. L. Tan found that Ortho Tri-Cyclen reduced the number of acne lesions in women by more than 50 percent.
Another example is spironolactone (sold as Aldactone), a medication that inhibits testosterone production and is primarily used to treat heart failure.
Considerations
Although cyclical acne is frustrating, it is normal, and it signifies that your body's endocrine system is working properly. Any medication or treatment that interferes with natural hormone signaling could affect your fertility or your risk for reproductive cancer. If you want to eliminate cyclical acne, consider your treatment options carefully and discuss all possibilities and risks with your doctor.
