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So here is a quick backstory, hopefully I won't bore you!
Acne started at 16- hormonal. Tried Ortho and various other BCs. Did nothing for cysts. Started Yasmin when I was 21 and cleared me up 95%, would still get one honker or small baby blemishes each month. another flare up at 27- used clindamyacin and cleared me up pretty well.
Current- 32 yo female that was prepping for bikini bodybuilding competitions last year, stressful life, extremely low bodyfat, high estrogen BC (Zovia 1/50) Started having consistent hormonal breakouts last fall, no period for almost a year. Tons of anxiety, insomnia, etc.
Went to my derm and currently on Spiro 50mg since 12/30, added in Yasmin 1/14. Also on Doxy 200mg/day to help with the IB and inflammation that ensued. I have had some great progress on all of these meds combined so far. However, wanting to get down to the root of the problem and see if there was anything else underlying I made an appt with a Natropath. Met with her yesterday and shared my current status. She advised that low progesterone in addition to the high androgens may be the culprit. Having bloodwork done and should have the results by 3/10 to determine if this is the case.
After learning this I started doing some research last night and some women are on both oral progesterone or progesterone cream and spiro to combat the dual imbalances. Anyone have any experience with progesterone oral or cream? Would love to understand more about personal experiences
Really really good question and I will be sure to ask her this question. She is well aware of me being on the pill and Spiro and I did want to wait a few months of being on them before seeing her to see what effect they did have. it's unfortunate I didn't get the tests done before, but honestly I was so desperate to get rid of the breakouts I started treatment with my derm and gyno asap. I have been on a BC for 16 years straight and my hormones have fluctuated over the years despite being on them. I waited to see her for the bloodwork to see what Yasmin and Spiro would do for me and my current hormone levels. Maybe my progesterone will be leveled out as well. Another thing, one of my ovaries due to damage may not even ovulate which also is a sign or symptom ?! of low progesterone. I will make sure to repost all of my test levels here.
Have you ever done any hormone testing? So curious about this whole thing, such a mystery and so frustrating. The joys of being a woman!!
Since you're on the pill, won't the bloodwork just reflect those hormones? The pill shuts down all ovarian production of hormones.
Yeah definitely let me know what she says. It's good it is working, and perhaps the results will show you what hormone levels do work rather than don't (your initial before pill hormones). I have had extensive hormone testing (not on any pill or anything) that showed all hormones very low as I have premature ovarian failure. For some reason this did not stop acne. I have now been on Spiro for over a year and have been clear since about 5 months in. I'm also on the estrogen patch and take progesterone 10 days out of each month. Personally I think progesterone is more of an androgenic hormone as it can convert to testosterone whereas estrogen can't. Another thing - hormones can be bound up in your skin in which case they won't show up in the blood.
It's so great to hear about your success on Spiro!! I'm in my 3rd month and really hoping these next two months get me to where I want to be. I have stubborn closed comedones that appeared week 3/4 and taking forever to clear. I refused the Retin A they prescribed..oh well.
My natropath mentioned an oral progesterone, do you take an oral or do you use the cream? Did you start the same time as Spiro and how did you determine the right dose?
Thank you SO much for your input. It means the world when you are feeling alone in this!
Yeah definitely let me know what she says. It's good it is working, and perhaps the results will show you what hormone levels do work rather than don't (your initial before pill hormones). I have had extensive hormone testing (not on any pill or anything) that showed all hormones very low as I have premature ovarian failure. For some reason this did not stop acne. I have now been on Spiro for over a year and have been clear since about 5 months in. I'm also on the estrogen patch and take progesterone 10 days out of each month. Personally I think progesterone is more of an androgenic hormone as it can convert to testosterone whereas estrogen can't. Another thing - hormones can be bound up in your skin in which case they won't show up in the blood.
From what I understand, taking progesterone orally isn't as effective because it is mostly destroyed by the acids in the stomach and also the liver. It's better to apply it topically on thinner-skinned areas. If you were given oral progesterone, you could potentially break the capsules/tabs and mix it with a regular lotion.
I personally used natural progesterone cream while on spiro for a while and had no problems. It relieved some estrogen dominance symptoms that were caused by spiro but my goal was to get off spiro all together.
No problem! Feel free to message me anytime. Seems like we have some of the same issues (I'm 33 so we're about the same age too). I take oral prometrium 200mg 10 days out of the month and am on Vivelle Dot .1Mg patch every day. Because I am so much younger than the natural age of menopause I need a high dose of hormones to protect bone loss (and collagen loss I might add). I was recently diagnosed with osteopenia as a result of low estrogen.Therefore I am on the highest dose of estrogen available by patch. I am waiting for my hormone results to see if it's getting me up to a good enough level. I am only in my second month of hormone replacement and was terrified that it would break me out. Luckily the spiro seems to be blocking any extra androgens that may be circulating as a result.