Acne can be very frustrating. And while this pesky, yet common skin condition largely impacts adolescents, many people, especially women, are still affected by acne well into adulthood.
According to the Canadian Dermatology Association, women make up to 75 per cent of adult acne cases, with hormonal changes like menstruation playing a big role in those numbers.
Why do hormones have such a big impact on acne, how long will it last, and what can people do to care for their skin when they’re experiencing hormonal breakouts? Dr. Jennifer Tran, a Sunnybrook dermatologist, shares her insight.
Understanding hormonal acne
People often anticipate breakouts around the time they are menstruating. What’s less talked about is that acne can be brought on by other hormonal changes, such as starting birth control, pregnancy and menopause.
“There is evidence that hormonal fluctuations in androgens, progesterone and testosterone can worsen acne,” says Dr. Tran. Though, while these changes have been linked to acne, the connection is not so straightforward.
“The exact pathogenesis of acne in these scenarios is unclear,” she says. In fact, she adds, “Some studies have looked at measuring various hormone levels in patients with acne, and in the majority of cases, these levels are within normal range.”
How long will these breakouts last?
Similar to the uncertainty surrounding the cause of hormonal acne, the length of time that these breakouts will stick around is also unclear.
“Timing depends,” says Dr. Tran. “It can be very specific to a patient’s circumstances. For example, if someone is pregnant, it can last the duration of their pregnancy. For some, hormonal acne can last for several years.”
Treatment
To manage these hormonal breakouts, Dr. Tran encourages people to speak with their doctor to discuss options.
“Topical treatments, oral medications such as spironolactone or certain oral contraceptive pills, and even antibiotics and isotretinoin can be used for hormonal acne,” she says.
And while acne is typically harmless, in some instances, it can be indicative of a bigger issue.
“Hormonal acne is sometimes associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome,” she says. “If there are other signs or symptoms of this condition, patients should be screened.”
