Is spiro an anti-androgen? Blocking action of testosterone on skin. Dianette, the contraceptive pill is an anti-androgen too and is very effective for acne. Really worked for me. I did not need to do any hormone tests for that. If she refuses spiro maybe discuss that as an alternative. Good luck. Follow ur instincts.

On 8/25/2017 at 5:14 PM, love4biology728 said:

Hey everyone.. I was wondering if someone could help me with some advice for spironolactone. Im a 24-year old woman who FIRMLY believes my acne is hormonal. Like most of us, I've had acne in my teens (nothing severe but more than the usual teen), and I've always learned to justdealwith it.I've been to derms, they've prescribed my topicals and all that jazz . The only thing that sort of made a difference was going on birth control (tri-sprintec)at around age 18 for treatment of acne.

Now that I am in my mid-twenties I am developing hormonal cystic acne. Which I learned is actually a thing that can happen to women at this age! I never used to get serious cysts until this year! Mind you they are only 1 or 2 a month really bad ones but these 'bad ones' take WEEKS to clear up and then they are leaving scars! Something my face never has done before. Its truly self-esteem debilitating. This is how I know its hormonal: it only starts to happen at about week 3 of the birth control pills (the week before my period, and a few days before the placebo/sugar pill week). Just last month I got a huge painful cyst right on my chin that Im STILL clearing up, and its almost a month later as I'm about to be in the NEXT placebo week (can't wait to see what acne this one will bring *ugh*).My face NEVER gets any NEW acne during the beginning weeks of the month of birth control, I only start getting the cystic acne during those dreadful days right before the placebo pills.

So, in a nut shell: I've done my research. Extensive research. Im set on getting spironolactone for my acne. I know it will help and I feel its worth giving it a try. I happened to have my annual physical recently with my family practice doctor and figured that was a good time to just suggest it to her. She seemed confused.. She knew spironolactone as a diuretic and wasn't aware that it also can also treat acne.. (understandable, for she is a family practice doc and not a derm) But she's known my mom and myself for years and could see the frustration on my face so she agreed to order me a blood test to check testosterone levels.

So I just logged into labcorp patient portal as my results were in. Apparently my testosterone level is 24, which according to labcorp, is in the "normal range." So I googled normal testosterone levels for women and the standards seem to differ but it seems like I actually am in the normal range... which is annoying AF as I was actually kind of hopeful that it would be high so I could freaking bring some hard evidence to my derm or gyno or ANYONE.. that my androgen levels are out of whack! Maybe its my own fault for not getting the blood test during the birth control placebo week??

So what should I do! This is making me go crazy that I only get cystic acne during my period and its taking a toll on me! Im sick of constantly thinking about my skin and trying for weeks to clear up a cyst that my period from the previous month left behind! I truly feel that spiro will help me. I don't know how to convince my doc that its worth trying. I know there are side effects and risks, and I will of course be a compliant patient and follow everything my physician says.So, any women out there with hormonal acne care to chime in and help a sister out? It would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!

The week before your period estrogen plummets and therefore those changes make you more susceptible to hormonal acne flareups. I experienced the same thing throughout adulthood. Have you thought of changing your pill to Yas or Yasmin? The birth control acts similarly to Spiro in blocking the Androgen, which is really the problem. Decreased Estrogen and increased Free testosterone can also be a problem for acne sufferers. Honestly if you are already taking the pill, I would try this BCP first and then perhaps a low dose of Spiro. I would also see if you can find a doctor in your area, gyno that may already be familiar with Spiro. I have an endocrinologist that monitors my hormones, is incredibly knowledgeable and prescribes my Spiro.

Thanks for everyone who has replied! I actually wanted to update and say that I was finally able get spiro prescribed via my OBGYN !She asked if I got a blood test (which I did) and she didn't even care about the testosterone levels what she was asking me about was if my potassium levels were normal, which they were! So she went ahead and prescribed me the spiro. When I went to pick it up I was shocked to find that she actually prescribed me 100 mg. Which is a rather high dose especially for someone who doesn't really havesevere acne(just the occasional hormonal outbreak around my time of the month)... even the pharmacist was like have you ever taken spiro before cause this is kind of a high dose... Im not going to complain though cause it seems like people only really get results when they go up to this dose.

My skin has been clear as day so far. No initial breakout, no acne. I haven't really had those crazy urges to pee all day like everyone says, which is odd because itISa diuretic. However I HAVE felt more lethargic so I decided to take it at night before I sleep. My blood pressure has been good, I work in the ER so I check it there sometimes when Im curious. The only issue Im having is I actually feel kind of bloated on it? Not sure if its directly correlated to the spiro and it does seem strange because thats not a side effect (if anything shouldn't ithelpwith bloating since its a diuretic?). Its too soon too tell since its only been like 3 1/2 weeks that Ive been on it.