Hello everyone,

My name is Rachel and I am 24 years old. So a quick rundown of my acne story is--I've had very mild acne for most of my life. Aside from breakouts on my forehead (mostly comedonal) that had to do with my bangs, and the occasional breakout on my chin during my periods I never really had a big problem.

However in December, I experienced a extremely long menstrual cycle and was told by my GP, (after further testing) that I had PCOS. He recommended Metformin because I didn't want to go on birth control--ironically due to the side effects.

After 3 months of taking the Metformin my acne progressively got worse and worse. I was told by my GP that this was "normal" and that my hormone levels would balance out and my skin would eventually clear. Now it is April and I am still suffering with the worst acne I have ever had. It is primarily nodular but I have suffered from cysts, and several small uninflamed ones that itch like mad.

About a month ago I saw a dermatologist, who prescribed me with Tetracycline and Benzaclin gel, but all the Tetracycline has been doing is giving me intense stomach cramps and the Benzaclin is just drying out my skin. I don't do anything else to my skin aside from cleasing with a Spetro Jel cleanser, and moisturize with the Spectro moisturizer. I contacted the dermatologist again and he said "pills were the answer".

I'm at the end of my rope. From my understanding I'm using the regimen, (substituting the 2.5% BP with the Benzaclin), but I have not seen any results. Does anyone have any suggestions?