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29 YO Female, at wits end with hormonal acne.

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(@nymeria)

Posted : 01/12/2019 3:10 pm

Hi everyone. Ive suffered with acne since I was a teenager and was prescribed Accutane when I was around 17. This helped tremendously but the last few yearsmy acne has flared up again bad, mainly around my chin, nose, mouth and jawline. Its the worst on my chin and its literally EVERY DAY I get a new spot. They are under the skin, cystic and painful. My forehead is always totally clear. I suffered with it on my upper back too a couple of years ago but since then its been clear. I also notice severe flare ups a week or two before my period.

My doctor prescribed me some antibiotics which I was taking for a few months but they werent helping and he refused to even look at the hormonal issue, basically telling me I just have to live with it and be on medication for the rest of my life which I am certainly not doing. I asked for an appointment with a dermatologist which I have next month and have since stopped taking the tablets.

I would really like to try and clear this up naturally but I have tried everything. I literally eat a super clean diet and the last month Ive even cut out dairy, gluten AND soy. I exercise regularly, dont eat any processed foods, drink at least 2 litres of water per day and get at least 7-8 hours sleep per night. I eat anti inflammatory foods and low carb, but nothing seems to be working and its really getting me down.

I just wash wash my face with a gentle scrub but Ive tried so many different brands and again, nothing is helping.

My periods have been regular for a while now but the last few months the cramps have been really bad. I used to have irregular periods a couple of years ago, not having one for about 8 months at one stage but I think that has been down to severe calorie restriction on and off for a few years since I was 21. They seem to have regulated now though.

Im wondering if these could be symptoms of PCOS? And would a dermatologist be able to test for that along with hormone imbalance or would I have to see a gynaecologist for that? I just dont want to be prescribed more meds by then dermo without getting to the root cause of the issue.

Any help would be very much appreciated. TIA.

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(@lp1990)

Posted : 01/12/2019 7:40 pm

I am also going through this at the moment and my story is very similar to yours with loss of period, etc. I will be seeing a naturopath next week that specialises in womens hormonal issues and skin conditions. Hoping she will help my issue - perhaps this is something for you to look into also.

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(@nymeria)

Posted : 01/13/2019 4:13 am

8 hours ago, LP1990 said:

I am also going through this at the moment and my story is very similar to yours with loss of period, etc. I will be seeing a naturopath next week that specialises in womens hormonal issues and skin conditions. Hoping she will help my issue - perhaps this is something for you to look into also.

Thank you LP. Please keep me updated if you can about what the naturopath says, I will definitely look into it myself. I hope you get some answers. I know how much it can knock your confidence.

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(@karenm)

Posted : 01/16/2019 8:07 am

Please keep us posted on your natural route. I am suffering terribly, also. It is debilitating. I just started orthotryclene yesterday and spironolactone almost 3 weeks now. Since my cheeks, jawline, and chin are the main hub, it seems hormones are the culprit. I am praying that these medications kick in soon.

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(@jenna34)

Posted : 02/11/2019 12:53 pm

Hey there, I'm new here and am 34 and fed up as well. I just read the book "Real Solutions for Adult Acne". I got it off Amazon. I highly recommend it. I'm trying diet changesbecause nothing (even spironolactone alone) is working. No dairy and limited lean meat for me for now. Don't ever go back to the doctor that put you on antibiotics. I would see an OB/GYN for PCOS but yes, it sounds like it could be related to that. Spironolactone in conjunction with a clean diet could be an answer.

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(@karenm)

Posted : 02/11/2019 1:04 pm

My doctor just upped my dosage of spironolactone to 150mg. I have been dairy free, egg free, gluten free, chocolate free for a month or so now. I think (fingers crossed) my face is now starting to respond. We'll see in the next week or so. I've been fooled before.

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(@jenna34)

Posted : 02/11/2019 1:32 pm

Good Luck Karen! Are you using sulfer facewash and limited sugar I assume?

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(@karenm)

Posted : 02/11/2019 2:36 pm

Limited sugar, yes. I am not using sulfur face wash, though. My face became super dry with sulfur and the sulfur soap I had did not seem to work well. My dermatologist has me using a gentle benzoyl peroxide face wash once a day.

I do use soolantra to fight demodex issues.

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(@klessard)

Posted : 02/12/2019 2:58 pm

Would you consider trying the birth control pill to see if it helps your acne? This helped my cystic acne MILDLY.....wasn't a cure, but it may be worth looking in to.

Let us know how your dermatologist appointment goes! I'm curious to see what they recommend for you. Hang in there!

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(@karenm)

Posted : 02/12/2019 3:36 pm

37 minutes ago, klessard said:

Would you consider trying the birth control pill to see if it helps your acne? This helped my cystic acne MILDLY.....wasn't a cure, but it may be worth looking in to.

Let us know how your dermatologist appointment goes! I'm curious to see what they recommend for you. Hang in there!

I am on BC. I was on generic orthotryclene but my dr. just switched me to Beyaz.

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(@emilee_sarah)

Posted : 02/12/2019 11:05 pm

Hey Nymeria,

I have been using Unblemish by Rodan+Fields and it has done wonders for me. I know that you are leaning towards a more natural remedy with diet changes and such. However, I just wanted to share what worked for my skin. Maybe it would help you too?

All the best:)

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(@gutskinaxis)

Posted : 02/12/2019 11:29 pm

Hi it seems like your diet really effects your acne, just like mine. I was able to clear my skin while still allowing myself to eat good but clean foods. Message me if you want some tips. Trust me I went through it all, all the topicals and diets. It was so hard to stick to. But I found a way to stick to one that still gives me energy, does not make me feel low or sad about missing out on other foods. I can give you step by step instructions on how to eat well and get better skin each day.

One issue that I learned is some "healthy" foods can actually break you out. Strawberries and green tea for example both gave me breakouts.

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(@angelinna)

Posted : 02/13/2019 4:20 pm

If your dermatologist doesn't offer Spiro, ask for it. I don't know how it is in your country, but when I lived in Europe, doctors were reluctant to prescribe Spiro for acne. In the US, everyone prescribes it, including primary care doctors. I'm so happy with it and don't have any terrible side effects. I used to have really painful period cramps and now have much less painful cramps and don't even need pain meds. I'm only on a low dose of 50 mg. I also tried every natural and homeopathic remedy out there, but unfortunately nothing worked for me. Hormonal acne is a medical problem that can only be dealt with prescription meds.

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(@carpemomentum)

Posted : 02/21/2019 1:02 pm

Fellow PCOS survivor that chose to use BCP and Spiro to get my hormones balanced and clear. Now only on Spiro, non-dairy, no meat or sugar and things are good. Using the right products is essential to success with any treatment. Going to an endocrinologist that tested all of the hormone levels is one of the best ways to understand the imbalance that is taking place.

My biggest indicators of PCOS were irregular periods, anxiety, issues sleeping, oil skin, excessive fine baby hair on my face and of course hormonal breakouts. Now that all is under control and hope you can find the path towards healing as well.

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(@jenna34)

Posted : 02/23/2019 7:16 am

Try the Rodan and Fields Sulfur facewash!! It's only 4% and really gentle. I LOVE it! I also ordered Peter Thomas sulfur mask off of amazon...I wash with it every once in awhile and I suffocate a zit coming on with a big glob of it. It's less concentrated than the RX stuff and way cheaper. Let me know! I highly recommend it!

How is your acne today? Any changes?

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(@cassie-sara)

Posted : 03/13/2019 12:06 pm

28 year old with pcos and full of acne and totally sick of it and everything! I need a hideaway! The only time when my face was clear was when I was taking diane 35 and androcur. Anything else does not work for my face.

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