3 replies to this topic

[Mozie]

Ok, so I'll be 20 in two weeks and have been dealing with acne since I was 10. I hit puberty quite young, and with it came the acne. I struggled with it all through my teen years. I've tried Proactiv, Epiduo, Acanya, Neutrogena products, Clean n Clear, Clearasil, Jojoba oil, tea tree oil and many others! I was even on Accutane for over a year (which did help a bit).

I eat very healthy and drink plenty of water. I am moderately active.

What I'm wondering is if my acne is hormonal...? None of my family members have it, so I know it isn't genetic. It can't be my diet, because I take such good care of myself. What could possibly be causing my acne?

It seems that whenever I see my dermatologist he prescribes me some sort of expensive cream or wash that never does anything. I have a feeling the actual source of the problem is internal...

If it does turn out to be hormonal, will birth control help? Which one should I choose? Side effects?

Any help is greatly appreciated. I've been battling acne for so long. I honestly don't know how much fight I have left in me.

[LoveGreenSmoothies]

It sounds like it could be hormonal. Really, all acne is hormonal though, which is why we don't get it until puberty. Some people's hormones stabilize after a certain age while others don't. Topicals help some people with hormonal acne, but not all.

The BCP would likely help. There are some that are better than others for acne and a derm or OB will know which. I just advise you not to use yasmine or yaz, because they have greater risks and I don't even think they're more helpful. They've been Rxing the BCP for like 30 yrs. for acne, so there are others just as good, and safer, that are beneficial.


You might get people telling you to cut everything but veggies and fish and poultry out of your diet, but that doesn't always help (it didn't help me) and it's really difficult to live on such a restricted diet, imo.

You can also try spiro, which reduces androgens, but that also isn't w/o side effects and it doesn't act as birth control like the BCP. If you're sexually active or plan to be in the future that's important.

[Mozie]

It sounds like it could be hormonal. Really, all acne is hormonal though, which is why we don't get it until puberty. Some people's hormones stabilize after a certain age while others don't. Topicals help some people with hormonal acne, but not all.

The BCP would likely help. There are some that are better than others for acne and a derm or OB will know which. I just advise you not to use yasmine or yaz, because they have greater risks and I don't even think they're more helpful. They've been Rxing the BCP for like 30 yrs. for acne, so there are others just as good, and safer, that are beneficial.


You might get people telling you to cut everything but veggies and fish and poultry out of your diet, but that doesn't always help (it didn't help me) and it's really difficult to live on such a restricted diet, imo.

You can also try spiro, which reduces androgens, but that also isn't w/o side effects and it doesn't act as birth control like the BCP. If you're sexually active or plan to be in the future that's important.

Ok, understandable. Another thing I forgot to mention is my breakouts get considerably worse when I'm on my period. So really, it being hormonal makes a lot of sense. I really hope so, anyway. Because if it's not hormonal I will have no idea what to do next.
I do have a boyfriend, so I would like to be on the BCP as well to prevent pregnancy. But maybe I could take spiro and the pill? Or would that be too much?

[LoveGreenSmoothies]

If you want to use something to prevent pregnancy anyway, I'd probably say go on the BCP. Make sure you tell your MD you want it for acne. Your derm can Rx it for you & they'll know which one to give you. I'd see how you do on BC before adding spiro, because you may not need it and it just adds more risk.