4 replies to this topic

[vyvyen]

Hi I really need to find some fellow menopausal acne sufferers! I have always suffered with hormonal acne since being a teenager, I am now 53! I have always had horrible breakouts before my periods and nothing has ever really worked. I've tried most topicals, years of antibiotics, the pill made me crazy (can't take synthetic hormones), natural progesteone made acne and myself worse. I have really flared up since menopause, its just like going back to the terrible teenage years except its worse on my chin, cheeks and lower face and neck. My Doctor has recommended cutting out dairy and using soy products, I am also now using Retin A, have been trying this for 3 months and it's still getting worse! I was thinking of trying Aldactone or anything anyone can recommend? Help please. Vyvyen

[cvd]

Hi vyvyen --- isn't it lovely dealing with this at our age?! I'm 60 and have done the same stuff as you. Retin-A should help but I found it takes about a year to really kick in...especially if you have resistant acne. Personally I think accutane (aldactone) is great and I totally cleared up while on it (2 rounds) but acne came back after a year or so...less but still happening. Is your doctor recommending you use soy products? Asian women typically have clear skin so there may be something to eating soy. I've heard the best way is to eat traditional tofu and tempeh but to avoid overly processed soy products. Diet can help...no dairy, wheat, sugars, etc. But personally, at least for me, diet is not the total answer. Although I feel great when eating well and taking my suppliments...and my skin overall looks very youthful due to diet.

It can get overwhelming with all the advice on the net and here. Especially when people claim their success will insure your success. It is so appealing to think that here is the miracle answer! And maybe it is...but probably not. When I really study people's miracle statements they are pretty young and may have naturally outgrown acne or their acne is very superficial. I think those of us with really resistant acne have to see a good dermatologist. I don't think other doctors have the training to understand what is really going on or to evaluate the condition of our individual skin. And of course dermatologist vary in their training and expertise. I am coming to believe that those of us with chronic resistant inflammatory acne must see the very best dermatologist we can find. The run of the mill ones don't get it or they give up...they prefer typical teen acne cases that respond to short-term treatments and time. This is not us!

Sorry if I sound a bit down but I'm trying to get over a flare-up which was due I believe to my old derm taking me off Spironolactone last Fall. She wanted to see if I could remain clear on just tretinoin cream. Her "experiment" --- my flare-up (oh joy...). I was so hopeful that faithfully following my diet would keep me clear...and it did for a month or so...but then whammo. Maybe it was the stress of the holidays. Who knows? I think this is what drives me crazy...not feeling in control of the condition. I'm too old to still be dealing with such an embarrasing condition!

[vyvyen]

Hi CVD,

Thanks for the reply. You're right it is not fair that we are having to deal with adult acne at our age!!! We have suffered enough through our lives! I am going to follow your advice and go back to my Doctor and ask for a referal to a Dermatologist this week. GP Doctors don't seem to have much clue when it comes to adult acne and just give us topical treatments the same as they hand out to teenagers which do not work on our skin as it seems to be an internal and hormonal problem.

Mr Doctor recommended cutting out dairy and incorporating soy products to increase the estrogen from plant sterols. I have always found eating too much dairy has made me break out, and with going through menopause I feel I am lacking in estrogen and becoming androgen dominent with the acne and horrible dark chin hair - very attractive LOL .

You must be very impressed with your Dermatologist taking you off your acne meds and causing your acne to flare up again! Poor you, I hope you get back on track soon and I know very well how you feel. My skin is a lot worse than my two teenage/young adult kids! I have been hibernating now for months and can't face going out in public unless I absolutely have to.

Take care fellow sufferer.

xx

[wicky]

I am with you guys. I'm 44 and in menopause and nothing I've tried so far has worked. I'm at my braking point and cannot imagine life like this. I don't eat or sleep or enjoy anything anymore. It has completely taken over my life. I tried spiro for 18 month and did not help at all. I get new bumps every day on my jawline and cheeks. I have huge pores that fill with hard sebum that I have to dig out of my chin daily. I'm dry and dehydrated but oily at the same time. I recently started low dose accutane on oct 1st and it has made my sebhorreic dermatitis worse. Now I don't know what to try or do except cry. I've searched and journaled for years trying to find a connection and a reason and cannot so what does it mean?

[vyvyen]

Hi Wicky,

I know just how you feel. I seem to be the only person around that has worse acne than teenagers and I'm 53! I am going back to the Doctors this week and demanding a referal to a Dermatologist, I've had enough. My whole face seems to be oily and blocked with acne all over my chin, cheeks and neck, terrible! Its a worry that the Spiro and Accutane has'nt worked for you, is your Derm going to try anything else? I'm so glad to know that I am not alone and others are in the same boat as me. We need to stick together for support. Take care.