- Hormonal Therapy For Acne - Oral Contraceptives - nateone
In addition to topical treatments for acne, procedures such as dermabrasion and chemical peels, hormonal therapy is used to help female sufferers. This approach to acne treatment is particularly useful in the case of those requiring oral contraception.
Hormonal Therapy for Female Acne Sufferers
Hormonal therapies are recognised as working better in adult women and teenagers over the age of sixteen. Types of hormonal therapy include estrogen, oral contraceptives and antiandrogens, with each treatment having different uses and side effects. While undergoing hormonal therapy, it is important to be regularly assessed and be aware of possible health risks associated with treatment. In 100 Questions & Answers About Acne, Day (2005) highlights that hormonal therapy is recommended in the following circumstances:
- adult women/sexually active teens with persistent inflammatory papules/nodules
- those whose acne flares prior to menstrual periods
- women with endocrine abnormalities
- those unresponsive to oral/topical antibiotics
- patients with moderate to severe acne or androgen abnormalities
- women with late-onset acne.
Estrogen and Oral Contraceptives in Acne Treatment
Once you have been properly assessed by your doctor, including blood tests, screening tests and a physical examination, appropriate treatments will be identified. Common forms of hormonal therapy used to treat acne in female patients include estrogen therapy, estrogen being a female sex hormone. Key facts about estrogen therapy, as acknowledged by Day (2005), include:
- decreases sebum production
- especially useful for women with oily skin
- suppresses ovarian production of androgens
- regular breast examinations/pap smears required
- rare side effects – clotting, high blood pressure.
Another popular hormone therapy used to help treat acne involves oral contraceptives, although these are unsuitable in those under the age of sixteen. The main benefit is that you can "kill two birds with one stone" by treating both acne and preventing unwanted pregnancy. However, it is important to highlight that oral contraceptives do not protect against sexually transmitted infections. According to Day (2005), oral contraceptives help acne sufferers in the following ways:
- decreases androgens
- increases sex hormone binding to reduce testosterone levels
- inhibits sebum production (main component of acne production).
Serious side effects associated with oral contraceptive pills include thromboembolism, otherwise known as blood clots. Further possible side effects, such as nausea, weight gain, spotting and headaches, are more common.
As highlighted above, hormonal therapies such as oral contraceptives, antiandrogens and estrogen therapy may be used to treat acne when other approaches, such as topical treatments and antibiotics, have not proved to be effective. However, it is important to be aware of possible side effects associated with hormonal acne treatment and attend regular health check-ups.
Source
Day, D. (2005) 100 Questions & Answers About Acne Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
