Female adult acne

Five facts about women and acne

• As a general rule, women's hormones tend to fluctuate more than men's, which helps explain why acne in women tends to be less constant and more erratic than acne in men.
• More than half of all adult women experience at least occasional breakouts.
• 60-70% of women who battle with acne experience premenstrual flare-ups.
• Acne can occur throughout a woman's adult life: in early adulthood, in the late twenties and thirties (which I have personally seen quite a bit), during pregnancy, and during menopause.
• Female adult acne can be frustrating, but can be effectively treated.

Treatment options

For many women, the right topical medications can keep acne at bay. In my experience, men and women do not differ much in terms of effective acne treatments, and appropriate application of topical treatment is often the best option. I have personally coached many people, male and female, through the Regimen with equal success. This is my very best advice.

If for any reason topical treatment does not suffice, hormonal treatments are an option. Doctors sometimes prescribe oral contraceptives (birth control pills), or androgen receptor blockers (most notably spironolactone and cyproterone acetate). Both of these work internally to mediate the effects of male hormones, which are integral in the development of acne. Both options come with numerous side effects and should be carefully researched, and then discussed with a trusted physician before coming to an educated decision on whether or not to embark on hormonal therapy.

As a last resort, for women with very severe, widespread, and deeply scarring acne, Accutane is also an option. However, because Accutane causes severe birth defects in the fetuses of pregnant women, and because of Accutane's other serious side effects, Accutane treatment should be entered into carefully. Before taking Accutane, make sure to have a serious heart-to-heart with your family and your doctor and become as educated as possible on the drug.