212 replies to this topic

[Lorrie]

Well I only got a total of 6 new pimples this month compared to 10-15 usually. Because I kept forgetting to stop and get the Aleve, my period actually started the day after I started the Aleve so I dont know if it had any effect or not. I do know that my pimples were not as big as usual. Next month will be the true test. I hope I can time it right because my periods are kinda messed up right now. I am in the early stages of menopause so they switch up on me alot. Hopefully there will be even more improvement next month. I'll let you know. Lorrie

[Seltyc]

I thought ovulation was your period sorry my parents never bothered with the technical aspects of this stuff and I never cared to learn... wtf is the difference, I definetly want to try this. so I start taking aleve...when my period starts? lol I'm lost

[LionQueen]

Some women break out really noticeably during the week before their period or mid-cycle. The Aleve is a good temporary fix for this sort of cyclical acne. You only take it for a few days at a time.

If you don't notice any sort of regular cyclical pattern to your acne, this is probably not the way to go ... Aleve can cause stomach bleeding, after all, and you definitely don't want to be taking it regularly.

That said ... if you know that you get PMS breakouts, start with the Aleve twice a day about 4-5 days before you expect your period. If you forget, just start taking it when your PMS breakout begins ... it will help to keep things under control.

[bittermp]

I thought ovulation was your period sorry my parents never bothered with the technical aspects of this stuff and I never cared to learn... wtf is the difference, I definetly want to try this. so I start taking aleve...when my period starts? lol I'm lost

your period is the shedding of the uterun (sp) wall. ovulation is when the egg drops to get inseminated, if no sperm is around then you get your period b/c the egg is pretty much not good. Ovulation is when your body is ready to make a baby so it's different to the period. Woman are different and ovulate at different times, you can usually tell when you're ovulating, your body temperature rises a bit and well, to be honest, the discharge from your vajayjay is different, it's like your body is loobing up from the inside and you definitely notice it when say you wipe yourself after going pee. (i'm trying to describe in the most simplest terms, so hopefully you understand)

For me, I break out a few days before my period and I will also get one or 2 pimples when I ovulate. I tend to ovulate about 2 weeks after my last period started.


When the egg drops, you can get pregnant about 3 days before and up to 3 days after the egg drops because sperm can linger in your vajajay for a fews days.

[Lexica]

Reporting in on my experience with naproxen sodium (I bought the Rite-Aid generic instead of Aleve - same ingredients, but about half the price).

This is the second month I've been using it. The first month I didn't notice much effect, possibly because I had a lot of other breakout-inducing factors going on at the same time. This month, I started taking it 7 days before I expected to get my period, which turned out to be 5 days before it actually arrived. I took one a day most days, but forgot to take it at least once, and wasn't at all consistent about whether I took it in the morning or the evening.

Even with having been so irregular, I think it helped - almost no papules or pustules this month, just the usual blackheads and clogged pores. *sigh* But the Paula's Choice 2% BHA seems to be helping a bit with that aspect of it, so I haven't given up hope yet.

I'll definitely be continuing to use it in coming months.

[poordaughterhasacne]

i think this is my third month of taking it and i can honestly say that it works..but it does upset my stomach.

Same for me - it does work, but it bothers my stomach after taking it a couple of days.

You need to make sure you take Aleve and Ibuprfen with food to allevaite an upset stomach even if it's with a couple of crakers. Never on a empty stomach.

[handsbella]

May I know anyone still has success with Naproxen Sodium? Any side effect so far?

[handsbella]

I am thinking of giving it a try, it seems like I should take this idea out of my mind now

[Lexica]

I'm still using it and haven't noticed any side effects. It's hard to tell how well it worked this month, as I'd changed a couple of things in my regimen and I think my skin wasn't really happy about it. I'm planning to continue taking it, as it did seem to help in the past.

[steele]

My main pimple problem with with ovulation..that's when I get them.
Maybe I could take them a few days before ovulation until a few days after..anyone else have the massive pimple problem that occurs with ovulation?

yeah this is my problem too.

my adult acne problem started couple of months ago, when my period shifted. i dont usually have skin problems until then (other than the usual zits from time to time).

i've been going nutz trying to fix my acne problem since then, which i find very puzzling because there was nothing about my diet or lifestyle that changed (i dont drink, dont smoke, not really into junkfood). i've been using the L'oreal Pure Zone line (cleanser, toner, moisturizer) since those have salicylic acid and have been told that that works for acne. it has helped somewhat, but its very drying, and after a while of using it my skin becomes very tender and i get some kind of rash, which is bad. but it does nothing on the cyclic hormonal breakout that causes the problem in the first place.

I just wanted to say that I tried the Aleve and I have had no pimples during this time of the month. I'm so happy. Nothing I ever tried worked before. I took some around ovulation ( I tend to break out then) and one a day during PMS week and taking 2 a day 2 days before my period. I'm so thankful to those that posted this. I have also been doing the dip regime (sticking your face in hot water and soaking for one minute) but I feel the Aleve really helped internally. I always felt like I was going to have to take something internally. No topicals ever worked. Good Luck!

Update: this month I took Aleve (generic) the 3 days (AM and PM) before I expected my period and a couple of times once it started. Guess what? No breakouts at all! Not even the threat of a breakout. I have not had a problem with stomach discomfort, but I always take it with food.

So excited, will report back next month!

wow this all sounds so encouraging. but i'm in the Philippines and i dont think Aleve is sold here. will try to buy the generic version of Naproxen. i just finished with my period, but in about 2 weeks i'm pretty sure my breakouts will start up again. will take all your advice and keep you guys updated.

here's hoping

[hollaynia]

I was wondering if anyone here has used this with birthcontrol. I usually break out in the 2-3 days between the day I start taking the placebos and the day I start my period. I'm gonna try it this month, so if anyone's interested I'll post my observations

[Ohappydayes]

I am so thrilled to have found this forum and this thread! I tend to have THE worst break outs during ovulation, which for me is the week before my period. I got 7 HUGE zits this week. I've been treating them with Persagel (10% BP) which is drying...I am running to the store to get some Aleve tomorrow...well later today.

I can not thank you enough for this thread!! <hugs> I'll be sure to report back with results and follow up long term as well. *fingers crossed and saying a little prayer*

[steele]

i found a local version of Aleve called Naprosyn. started taking it 10 days ago, twice a day, 12 hrs apart. when usually this close to my period i would be experiencing another nasty cycle of breakouts. currently i only get 1 or 2 new small pimples everyday which, after i pop the white stuff out, dissapears within a couple of days. the new pimples still usually appears on the usual T-zone, but its a major improvement, and finally-- after a long time, my skin is able to heal and begun to clear up.

i also changed a few things on my regimen. i changed my cleanser to another brand which works better on my skin and isnt as harsh as the L'oreal line but still strong enough to wash off the dirt and oil accumulated from travelling (since i take the public transport). i also stopped using a toner-- this is an experiment for me to see if my skin would fare better, since i'm thinking part of what upset my skin was that it got irritated so much. i also stopped drinking OJ (which i miss a lot ) but it did make some improvement on my chin area-- again i'm experimenting on this since im not entirely sure what causes the pimples on my chin (for all i know it could be due to the hormones and nothing to do with oranges).

on the new pimples that does appear, and some of them are big, i'd pop them, swab alcohol (ouch!) and then apply Clearasil just on that zit. it usually arrests the developement and dries up after a few days. it stings like hell during the time before it begins healing, but this technique works for me.

i'm expecting my period in the next few days, so i'm not totally out of the woods yet. wil be giving you folks an update soon

[steele]

That said ... if you know that you get PMS breakouts, start with the Aleve twice a day about 4-5 days before you expect your period. If you forget, just start taking it when your PMS breakout begins ... it will help to keep things under control.

i read somewhere that you're not supposed to take Naproxen (Aleve) for 10 days straight. i was wondering how many days should you wait before taking it again? (in cases where on the 10th day my PMS hasnt come)

[mommy030702]

I have been reading the Acne.org message boards for a few months out of desperation to find a cure to my new adult acne problem at age 35. I always had pimples come and go while growing up especially when it was time for my period. However, for some reason in January of this year out of the blue I began to have the worst acne I had experienced on my face ever. The acne on my chin and jawbone began to scar and I would have this acne all month long no matter where my menstral cycle was. So I started searching for some answers and I found them on Acne.org. Thank you, thank you!! I actually got two compliments on my skin this week. Yipee!!

I always washed my face and would use acne treatment meds, I tried alot of things but was never consistent. I have found what works for me and have diligently done my regimen in the morning and night for two months now and I am happy to say my face is 95% clear and healthy looking too.

I am excited to read about Aleve. I am going to try it this month. Last month I tried Advil for the immflamation and it did seem to help me out. My skin has done a complete turn around since my last period and my constant care and it is finally clear enough for me (I do not mind an occsional pimple or maybe two, I can not handle a full breakout and then the scaring that was beginning to happen made me sad and self-concious). So I will try Aleve as it seems to be working for the rest of you .

Again, thank you to everyone who blogs on this site! I am so grateful to all of you for your ideas, thoughts, suggestions and advice. I am hopefully on the road to healthy, clear skin forever!!

My Regimen:

Morning: Wash with Paula's Choice One Step Face Cleanser-Normal to Dry Skin using the The Body Shop Face Brush. Tone with The Body Shop Seaweed Clarifying Toner wait until dry then use Paula's Choice 2% Beta Hydroxy Acid Liquid wait 10 minutes and then use 10% BP on any breakouts (use all different brands), wait 20 to 30 minutes and apply The Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream moisturizer then DHC velvet skin under my make-up.

Night: Wash with Paula's Choice One Step Face Cleanser-Normal to Dry Skin using the The Body Shop Face Brush. Tone with The Body Shop Seaweed Clarifying Toner wait until dry then use Paula's Choice 2% Beta Hydroxy Acid Liquid wait 10 minutes and then use 10% BP on any breakouts (use all different brands), wait 20 to 30 minutes and apply DHC intensive moisture treatment moisturizer.

Supplements: Before bed 2 multi vitamins, 1 Calcium/Magnesium, 1 Essential Fatty Acid, now 1 or 2 Advil/Aleve pre day PMS week.

[EK1]

Aleve isnt sold in Canada without a prescription because of the whole danger with liver and heart problems i think it was.

Anyone know if there is anything else i can take?
I have Midol at home, but i dont that will do anything since it contains a different type of drug. Im supposed to start taking something today, help! lol

[willow569]

Aleve isnt sold in Canada without a prescription because of the whole danger with liver and heart problems i think it was.

Anyone know if there is anything else i can take?
I have Midol at home, but i dont that will do anything since it contains a different type of drug. Im supposed to start taking something today, help! lol

Ibuprofin might be a good alternative. It is also anti-inflamatory.

[EK1]

thats like in any advil, right?
i thought i was supposed to avoid those because i am on spiro.

[willow569]

thats like in any advil, right?
i thought i was supposed to avoid those because i am on spiro.

IDK. You'd have to check with your doctor for any medication interaction info.