Hormonal acne is for the most part distressing, since no over-the-counter treatments could help cure it (even the ones that were helpful to treat some of the acne during teenage years).
Hormonal Acne and Age
Hormonally inclined acne generally starts in early to mid twenties and could continue till late adulthood. This being said, however, it does not mean that teenage acne could not be hormonal as most often it is related to puberty, at 11 to 14 years of age (when androgen production is at its full). Hormonal acne is associated to androgen, the hormone that stimulates the sebaceous glands, and as a result of the overstimulation of these glands, as I mentioned before, acne occurs.
Hormonal Acne in Women
Women are on average twice as likely to have acne as men are, because they are twice as likely to be subjected to hormonal imbalance. It is no secret that women frequently suffer from acne as a common symptom of PMS (Premenstrual Symptoms). However, there is also a serious condition that is related to acne as one of its symptoms, and it is called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), which is a hormonal disease that causes irregular or lack of menstruation, infertility, hair loss and so on. Another similar condition includes Adrenal Hyperplasia.
Also, women approaching menopause (mostly 35 years and above) might find themselves having acne flare-ups, even though they never had any in their teenage years. This is because menopause also induces hormonal imbalances that help trigger acne.
Stress and Hormones
When we talk about hormonal imbalance as being related to acne, we need not forget to mention stress. During stress, our bodies produce cortisol increase the rate of processes that take place in order to help us cope with stress causing agents. Such processes include the conversion of protein to energy, and the release of glycogen; also cortisol represses cell regeneration, endocrine regulation, and digestion. Therefore, instead of focusing on the latter processes, the body under continuous stress constantly deals with high levels of cortisol, and the result is much to our dismay such symptoms like fatigue, depression, acne, etc.
Treatment for Hormonal Acne
There are treatment options that doctors prescribe for those who suffer from hormonal imbalance and thus acne; such treatments include oral contraceptives, oral corticosteroids, anti-androgens, and so on. However, one should be careful in using such treatments, because they are most likely to induce side effects, and some actually could make the condition even worse. It is therefore far more convenient and safe to choose natural ways to treat hormonal acne.
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