18 replies to this topic

[goattrainer]

I reciently went to a homeopathic Dr for my acne. He is into treating the body as a whole, not just a particular symptom. We discovered that I had some hormonal imbalances (estrogen dominance) and went about trying to correct that with progesterone tablets.

This has made pretty much no difference in my acne condition. The majority of my acne is even with or below my bottom lip, to my jaw line. My forehead has a sprinkling of little acnes that occasionally flare up, but nothing too bad. I have a little body acne, but the stuff on my face is far and away worse than anything else I am dealing with.

Also, the pimples seem to mature quickly. They come, look horrid, then go, leaving little flakes of dry skin covering the red/brown spot in their place (that last a while). Of course, around AF it get's a little worse.

I've been through the whole list of topical stuff (Pro-Active, etc-waste of money) and some ingested stuff (B5-waste of money) and some really strange diet stuff. All of it helped for about 3 or 4 days...then nothing.

Any other women with a similar story?

Thanks,

GT

[Rachel12]

I also have hormonal issues with acne. They tend to group on my chin with some hard ones sprinkling my cheeks near the T-zone and on the edge of my face. I know some of them are because of touching my face. Have you tried the regimen? I have two kinds of acne, and it's helped one of them. Also, if you're into natural stuff, take a look at my regimen, which uses the Oil Cleansing Method. It's made a huge difference for me!

[goattrainer]

Rachel,

I am new to this idea that over the counter stuff actually might work for me. Of course I started out using MANY different types of OTC acne products (Nature's Way, Nutrogena, Oxy......) and they didn't seem to do much. Then, when I was a older I turned to the more agressive stuff like ProActive (haha).

The Oil Clensing method sounds interesting. How do you get all that oil off your face? I read it, but it is 2am here so I might have missed how.

From the videos it appears that you should only aply the BP and moisturizer to your problem areas. Is that right, or should you do the whole face thing?

My current regimin is:

Morning & Evening:

1) Arbonne's NutriMinC RE9 Hydrating Wash
2) Melaleuca's FRESHEN Clarifying Toner
3) Arbonne's NutriMin RE9 Day Creme
4) Arbonne's Corrective Eye Creme (just around my eyes...not really acne related stuff)


I am not sold on any of the above products.....just trying to use up what I have.

Thanks,
GT

[Washington]

How long have you been on progesterone pills?
My doctor thinks my acne is hormone related because it came on suddenly last year when I was 27. I also have the tell tale acne around the jawline and mouth.
I found, mentioned on these message boards an herb called Chaste Tree berry or Monks pepper, that's supposed to help balance out hormones in women. I've been taking that for about three weeks and will continue for the suggested 3 months. Here's the original thread I'm not using the vitex pills but a chaste tree tincture that my local coop has in stock.
My skin is better but I've been following the CSR for 3 weeks as well. Maybe they're working together. I'm not fully clear but can see the light.
goodluck

[luvsun24]

Was it only your estrogen level that was high? What about your testosterone level? Nothing is better than Spironolactone for hormonal acne. It suppresses testosterone from reaching the skin's surface. It is easy to take and I don't have any side effects. It has worked a miracle on me, so now my 14year old daughter who has monthly breakouts has started taking it. Topicals only treat the symptom, not the cause.

[A-Shizzle]

I too have hormal acne. I only ever get pimples on my chin, around my mouth and jawline and it's very depressing.
I tried dirrerin gel which I had a bad reaction to and it made my skin 1,000 worse..ALSO I took TriNessa because my Dr. told me it was the same thing as OTC and that's when my problem began. I'm 30 and this really sucks.
I have an appty with a Derm. in Nov. and I'm hoping she will prescribe Spiro because I've heard awesome things about it.

[Washington]

I too have hormal acne. I only ever get pimples on my chin, around my mouth and jawline and it's very depressing.
I tried dirrerin gel which I had a bad reaction to and it made my skin 1,000 worse..ALSO I took TriNessa because my Dr. told me it was the same thing as OTC and that's when my problem began. I'm 30 and this really sucks.
I have an appty with a Derm. in Nov. and I'm hoping she will prescribe Spiro because I've heard awesome things about it.

It is depressing! Poor us. I'm trying to get over it and not be embarrassed of this thing that I can't control. Spironolactone seems hopeful. I googled it and the results were very interesting. It's caused tumers in lab rats thought. bad bad http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spironolactone

[goattrainer]

I am not sure if my DR tested me for high testosterone. We are kinda sorta tring to get pregnant, so DR said he needed to address these things one at a time.

He did test me for candidda though. We found it to be high, so he put me on a thing to kill it, and also probiotics. My counts have dropped since I started to take it, and my acne is a little better, but not enough.

Never heard of the Chaste Tree berry, but I will check it out.

I never heard of Spironolactone either. I will look into that one too.

Thanks y'all for the suggestions!

GT

[mickey67]

Was it only your estrogen level that was high? What about your testosterone level? Nothing is better than Spironolactone for hormonal acne. It suppresses testosterone from reaching the skin's surface. It is easy to take and I don't have any side effects. It has worked a miracle on me, so now my 14year old daughter who has monthly breakouts has started taking it. Topicals only treat the symptom, not the cause.

I started to take Spironolactone until I found out that it should not be prescribed to women that have a risk of female cancers (my mom died young from breast cancer).

While Spiro does not have the side effects of accutane, it does have side effects.

Any medication you take, should be thoroughly researched before you decide if it is right for you.

[luvsun24]

I have researched it cannot find a link to cancer. If I had been informed of a risk by a doctor (and my OB and derm both ok'd it), I might have some concern. Millions of women take bc and that has had some link to breast cancer as well, but quite possibly the food you eat daily poses the same risk. My grandmother died of bone cancer after a bout with breast cancer too. I understand that many things I ingest or do (walking in the sun, putting Sweet n Low in my tea) may be a risk, but just driving my car everyday is a bigger risk of death than anything. My mother has instilled in me the benefits that can come from taking supplements. I take Red Clover, Burdock Vitamin C and Vitex. Read up on them. There are many cancer-fighting, free radical fighting herbs and vitamins out there. So while I may take Spiro (which may or may not pose a minimal risk of cancer at best) I do other things that combat that risk.

[tdot]

I reciently went to a homeopathic Dr for my acne. He is into treating the body as a whole, not just a particular symptom. We discovered that I had some hormonal imbalances (estrogen dominance) and went about trying to correct that with progesterone tablets.

This has made pretty much no difference in my acne condition. The majority of my acne is even with or below my bottom lip, to my jaw line. My forehead has a sprinkling of little acnes that occasionally flare up, but nothing too bad. I have a little body acne, but the stuff on my face is far and away worse than anything else I am dealing with.

Also, the pimples seem to mature quickly. They come, look horrid, then go, leaving little flakes of dry skin covering the red/brown spot in their place (that last a while). Of course, around AF it get's a little worse.

I've been through the whole list of topical stuff (Pro-Active, etc-waste of money) and some ingested stuff (B5-waste of money) and some really strange diet stuff. All of it helped for about 3 or 4 days...then nothing.

Any other women with a similar story?

Thanks,

GT

Wow, same thing for me... when I turned 19 BAM!! I got thes zits all over my chin, jaw and mouth area... I was like WTF??? It's soooo annoying!!!!!

[mickey67]

I have researched it cannot find a link to cancer. If I had been informed of a risk by a doctor (and my OB and derm both ok'd it), I might have some concern. Millions of women take bc and that has had some link to breast cancer as well, but quite possibly the food you eat daily poses the same risk. My grandmother died of bone cancer after a bout with breast cancer too. I understand that many things I ingest or do (walking in the sun, putting Sweet n Low in my tea) may be a risk, but just driving my car everyday is a bigger risk of death than anything. My mother has instilled in me the benefits that can come from taking supplements. I take Red Clover, Burdock Vitamin C and Vitex. Read up on them. There are many cancer-fighting, free radical fighting herbs and vitamins out there. So while I may take Spiro (which may or may not pose a minimal risk of cancer at best) I do other things that combat that risk.

That's great that you do those things to balance any risks. We all have to do what we are comfortable with. Some people think I am crazy for taking accutane. I feel safer with it, than I did when I took Spiro.

When I researched it, this is one of the links I found: http://www.skintherapyletter.com/treat/acn...onolactone.html

Because of my family history, it is just not a risk I am willing to take. I don't take birth control pills because of breast cancer risks either. I had my tubes tied so I wouldn't have to take anything hormonal.

When I voiced my concerns about the spriro to my derm, he totally understood. He said, "if you develop bc in the future, you would always wonder if the spiro caused it." Bingo! I just couldn't live with that.

My mom and our family went through hell for 13 years. I'm a mom to two boys, and I do everything I can to prevent them from going through what I did (I was 5 when my mom was diagnosed). If that means being overly cautious...then so be it.

[luvsun24]

That's great that you do those things to balance any risks. We all have to do what we are comfortable with. Some people think I am crazy for taking accutane. I feel safer with it, than I did when I took Spiro.

When I researched it, this is one of the links I found: http://www.skintherapyletter.com/treat/acn...onolactone.html

Because of my family history, it is just not a risk I am willing to take. I don't take birth control pills because of breast cancer risks either. I had my tubes tied so I wouldn't have to take anything hormonal.

When I voiced my concerns about the spriro to my derm, he totally understood. He said, "if you develop bc in the future, you would always wonder if the spiro caused it." Bingo! I just couldn't live with that.

My mom and our family went through hell for 13 years. I'm a mom to two boys, and I do everything I can to prevent them from going through what I did (I was 5 when my mom was diagnosed). If that means being overly cautious...then so be it.

Hi Mickey,
I do not think you are crazy for taking Accutane. Everyone has to go with what works for them and I totally respect your decisions with regard to your family history. It sounds like you have been through a lot.

I appreciate you sending that link, but it still does not explain WHY there might be a link to cancer. It doesn't even say there is a link, it just says that patients with that family history should avoid it. To my knowledge, inhibiting testosterone would not be a cancer producing action. If there is evidence to prove otherwise, I would like to know. Also, is it not recommended for those with that family history simply because of estrogen being the dominant hormone once the testosterone is inhibited? Is it potassium related? I am going to call my doctor with these questions, but if anyone knows the answer, please let me know.

I have a book called "The Hormonally Vulerable Woman" written by Dr. Geoffrey Redmond and he praises Sprio as the savior for women (especially those in their 40's) with acne. It has been that savior for me. He never once mentions any links to cancer. As I said before, I believe if there is any remote link, it is just that...remote. And, whatever I am eating and drinking (my tap water is the worst!) could definitely be a much bigger link than Spiro. So, in an effort to combat any such link, I take herbs and vitamins.

I praise you for your diligence in finding a solution that you feel comfortable with and you are doing the best thing for you. Good luck. It is my hope that we all find clear skin w/out finding out that we sacrificed something else for it later in life.

[mickey67]

[quote name='luvsun24' date='Sep 21 2006, 01:59 PM' post='1371054']
[quote name='mickey67' post='1369375' date='Sep 20 2006, 05:58 PM']

That's great that you do those things to balance any risks. We all have to do what we are comfortable with. Some people think I am crazy for taking accutane. I feel safer with it, than I did when I took Spiro.

When I researched it, this is one of the links I found: http://www.skintherapyletter.com/treat/acn...onolactone.html

Because of my family history, it is just not a risk I am willing to take. I don't take birth control pills because of breast cancer risks either. I had my tubes tied so I wouldn't have to take anything hormonal.

When I voiced my concerns about the spriro to my derm, he totally understood. He said, "if you develop bc in the future, you would always wonder if the spiro caused it." Bingo! I just couldn't live with that.

Hi Mickey,
I do not think you are crazy for taking Accutane. Everyone has to go with what works for them and I totally respect your decisions with regard to your family history. It sounds like you have been through a lot.

I appreciate you sending that link, but it still does not explain WHY there might be a link to cancer. It doesn't even say there is a link, it just says that patients with that family history should avoid it. To my knowledge, inhibiting testosterone would not be a cancer producing action. If there is evidence to prove otherwise, I would like to know. Also, is it not recommended for those with that family history simply because of estrogen being the dominant hormone once the testosterone is inhibited? Is it potassium related? I am going to call my doctor with these questions, but if anyone knows the answer, please let me know.

I have a book called "The Hormonally Vulerable Woman" written by Dr. Geoffrey Redmond and he praises Sprio as the savior for women (especially those in their 40's) with acne. It has been that savior for me. He never once mentions any links to cancer. As I said before, I believe if there is any remote link, it is just that...remote. And, whatever I am eating and drinking (my tap water is the worst!) could definitely be a much bigger link than Spiro. So, in an effort to combat any such link, I take herbs and vitamins.

I praise you for your diligence in finding a solution that you feel comfortable with and you are doing the best thing for you. Good luck. It is my hope that we all find clear skin w/out finding out that we sacrificed something else for it later in life.
[/quote]

My understanding is that it is not the inhibition of the testosterone that creates the risk, but the "slight elevation of estrogen" that spiro causes.

Increases of estrogen have been linked to breast cancer.

My concern with spiro was that there were recomendations (on a site for dermatologists, not the general public) that someone like me not take it...even though they didn't say why. But, in my opinion, they haven't really studied it (bc risks) much at all. From my research, I could only find one study. That one said some women on spiro developed bc, but they concluded that the spiro wasn't the cause.

I guess this could lead us to believe that there is not a reason to study it (not enough women on spiro with bc to see a link)...but in my (somewhat paranoid) mind, maybe it just hasn't come to light yet.

I just know that I don't want to mess with my hormones...

If you find anything out, please post it!

[mickey67]

This info is from a post on the prescription meds board for accutane. It was about a post on hormonal acne:

"Well, i don't know off hand where i read it previously, but i was able to find the following information on isotretinoin failures due to hormonal complication with a quick Google. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/453366


QUOTE
Hormones and Isotretinoin Relapses
Children in their early preteens and young teenagers may require several courses of isotretinoin to achieve lasting remission. In some instances, these are patients who have androgen excess. Paradoxically, young women with androgen excess may have a rapid response (within 1 month) to isotretinoin. However, discontinuation of the drug may result in a relapse within a few months.[5] It may be helpful to identify women with excess androgens. They may give a history of decreased menstrual periods per year.

It may be helpful to treat these patients with measures to lower their androgen levels. Cyproterone acetate is reportedly very helpful, but it is not yet available in the United States. Current standard therapy in the US is spironolactone 100-200 mg/day, either alone or in conjunction with oral contraceptives. Many dermatologists are reluctant to use spironolactone because of concern over possible development of breast cancer in response to unopposed estrogen. This problem may be more theoretical than actual."

[rosieposie]

I use Zoloft to control my hormonal acne. I'm 45 years old and still have acne since I was 12. Zoloft reduces your sex drive so in turn it reduces the acne. Also I have been using Listerine as a toner and it is helping with the little ones I still get.

[someoneintheuk]

Hormonal acne? Is there any other type of acne. I dont think so. I had acne for 8 years until I treated it as a hormonal disease...Then it disappeared.

Take GLA.

[walkman22]

what do you think about vitamin b6 for hormonal acne? I've read some good & bad stuff -- via google, and can you buy vitex at any store? I too, have hormonal acne -- usually attacking my tzone -- normally my cheeks....it's been an on going battle since i was 13, I am now 20!!!! S o lame.

[Washington]

what do you think about vitamin b6 for hormonal acne? I've read some good & bad stuff -- via google, and can you buy vitex at any store? I too, have hormonal acne -- usually attacking my tzone -- normally my cheeks....it's been an on going battle since i was 13, I am now 20!!!! S o lame.

I can't say much about b6 for acne. I couldn't handle popping that many pills. But I do take Vitex and I got it through my Natropathic doctor but you can order it online no problem. Do a google search for vitex. People have told me that it takes a few months to work. goodluck