Hi all,

I have had a sensitivity to androgens since I was 15 that used to cause moderately severe acne prior to my period every month, which is why Ive been on Yaz birth control for 5.5 years and Aldactone for 1.5 years. The combination of these two meds with Doxycycline and Tazorac keep my skin clear except for during the second half of my menstrual cycle, when I gradually start breaking out with small skin colored bumps on my cheeks and small papules and pustules on my chin. Irritating, but *much* easier to deal with than the many large papules, pustules and occasional cysts/nodules I used to get all over my face as well as on my neck, chest and back.

However, recently Ive started experiencing what seems like a heightened sensitivity during the second half of my menstrual cycle more bumps, slightly bigger/more noticeable bumps and extra hair shedding (around 100 hairs a day rather than under 50, which is normal for me) that diminishes once I start my period. Given that this extra sensitivity only started one cycle ago after over a year of being on Aldactone, Im wondering if my 125 mg dose (150 if you count the 25 mg of drospirenone in the Yaz) is now too high a dose for me for some reason? Or could it be that now that Im on the Aldactone as well as the Yaz, I need to have a period at the end of every pack? I currently skip the placebo pills for two packs in a row and have a period at the end of every third pack (per my docs instructions) and I did experience spotting for weeks leading up to my last period, which is when this extra sensitivity started.

If anyone has been through this and/or has any advice about how to proceed next, it would be much appreciated! My doctor told me that she doesnt know how lowering my dosage and/or having a period each pack will affect me..

Some stats:

25 y/o female

54; 127 pounds (normal weight range is 116-118, but gained weight after increasing spiro dosage from 100 to 125 last march)

As of 6/12 (1 year of being on Aldactone):

TSH -*7.7* (range: .450 - 4.5); 3.29 in 9/12 when re-tested

Free T4 - .97 (range: .82 - 1.77)

Serum testosterone - 8 (range: 8 - 48)

Serum DHEA - 155 (range: 31 - 701)

Iron Saturation - 23% (range: 15% - 55%)

Ferritin - 20 (range: 13 - 150)

Vitamin d - *12* (range: 30 - 100); took 10,000 IU 1x/week for 8 weeks and increased to 75; now take 1000 IU daily to maintain

Meds: Yaz for 5.5 years, Aldactone 125 mg for 1.5 years*, Doxycycline 100 mg 2x/day for 1.5 years, Tazorac .05% cream for 6.5 years

*aldactone schedule: 50 mg for 6 weeks, 100 mg for 8 months, 125 mg for 11 months