what do you use on your skin? do you use a toner or anything after washing? some people have issues with salicylic acid so i would probably stop doing those peels. try using a toner with glycolic acid in it that might help you out or you could try using a retinoid on a daily basis and i would look into stepping up the spiro too. i have heard some people need to take even as much as 200mg to get clear.

also i wonder if you should have your hormones tested just to be safe on that front. i used to get bad headaches before my period and it turned out i was low on b-12. i took a supplement for a year and never get them anymore but it cant hurt to get that checked out too. my sister gets the headaches as well but she was very deficient in vitamin d so you could have a blood test to check for all those things as well and who knows that could affect the acne too.

also have you been under a lot of stress lately? i have noticed myself when i am really stressed out my face is a freaking mess. i try to run everyday to help with that and make sure i get enough rest. i know the acne itself is stressful but just realize that it will go away in time. you can get cortisone shots in the meantime though for the cysts just make sure they are diluted to avoid a dent.

Hello,

I would love to get some advice from anyone that may be able to help me please?

I am struggling with my bad skin

Im sure its hormonal, spots arrive before my period along with awful headaches.

Dianette kept me clear for years, the docs made me go off it. No other bc worked i.e yasmin, pop. Antibiotics did not work.

I have been on roaccutane twice, both times it took 6 months to work & then kept me clear for 6 months only.

Ive tried agnus castus, starflower oil supplements, but they didn't help.

I have been doing salicylic acid peels for 2 years, but I don't think they are making a difference. My skin seems uneven, extra pale, with some hyperpigmentation marks that take about a year to fade

I eat healthy, cutting out sugar & take a multi vitamin & b complex.

I am now on Spiro 100mg. I have been taking it for over a year. After 5 months it helped by around 70%, still got chin acne, but it was manageable but now the last few months I am getting my cheek cysts again. They cause me a lot of upset, they are painful, ugly & take so long to go that I just want to hide away. (Spiro has caused 2 x periods a month which is a pain to!)

I use decent non harsh products. I am more after advice on any other supplements that I should try? Progesterone cream, upping my dose of spiro? Any amazing gurus out there that can help me find a cure please?

Current scientific literature states that women who get multiple periods from spironolactone do so because spironolactone is slightly progestogenic (stimulates progesterone). The fact that is stimulating progesterone by roughly the same amount each day, while your body is trying to fluctuate progesterone to maintain a cycle, means that it is throwing off your cycle.

The three best options in this case are (from this study)...

1. Decrease spironolactone to 50mg to 75mg daily OR
2. Add an oral contraceptive to regulate menses. Some people clear best on a combination of spiro with a BC, even if they didn't clear on either one by itself. OR
3. Cycle spironolactone with 21 consecutive days using it with 7 days off. The 7 days off typically is the week of your period.

Please do NOT increase your spiro dosage if you are having 2 periods a month, it will make it worse.

Also, how long have you taken the multi-vitamin and the B complex? Many women report acne troubles from both. My view is that it is very easy to overdo vitamins, and if you are eating relatively healthy, you should be getting your nutrients and minerals from actual food.

get rid of the multi vitamin and b complex u probably breaking out from it

I agree with everyone else about cutting out the supplements. The biotin in most multis and b complex breaks me out BAD. I would also try experimenting with your diet a bit. I have PCOS and high testosterone, but eating a low fat low gi diet has helped me so much. I no longer get inflammatory acne.

Thank you for your replies!!

I have been told that it would be pointless to test hormones when on Spiro. I wish I had tested them years ago!

I didnt think the multi vit or b complex could be a problem, I will try stopping them.

Would progesterone cream not be a good idea for me? I have only just heard about the cream!

I cant go back on a bc as I suffer with migraines.

I want clear skin again so badly that I am thinking about another course of roaccutance but low at about 20mg.

just a note too with the spiro that your periods should regulate in time the longer you are on it. i had 2 periods a month for the first 3-4 months or so and then it finally regulated itself so it will get better with time as well.

also i am on 100mg of spiro too and my derm never mentioned that i should lower my dosage just that sometimes it can throw things off for a bit.

Thank you for your replies!!

I have been told that it would be pointless to test hormones when on Spiro. I wish I had tested them years ago!

I didnt think the multi vit or b complex could be a problem, I will try stopping them.

Would progesterone cream not be a good idea for me? I have only just heard about the cream!

I cant go back on a bc as I suffer with migraines.

I want clear skin again so badly that I am thinking about another course of roaccutance but low at about 20mg.

I would not recommend progesterone cream.

If you can't take BC, then I recommend cycling, meaning you take spironolactone for 21 days and then don't take it for 7 days, every month. After a few months you should stop getting 2 periods.