Premenstrual Syndrome and Acne
Have you ever noticed how unsightly pimples start to appear on your face right before you're about to have your period? As if being a bloated, moody, ever-hungry she-monster is not enough, acne can also be one of the many telltale signs of an approaching monthly period.
All these are part of a condition called premenstrual syndrome or PMS.
PMS and Acne As much as 85% of women suffer from premenstrual syndrome or PMS.
This is a condition characterized by different physical and emotional symptoms that happen before a woman gets her period.
Physical symptoms include fatigue, cravings for salty or sweet foods, abdominal bloating, weight gain, tenderness in the breasts, and headaches.
Women with PMS also tend to be depressed, easily irritated, moody, and anxious.
Most women may experience just a few symptoms of PMS, while about 2 to 5% may suffer from more severe and disruptive forms of the disease.
PMS is one of the major causes of acne for adult women.
Acne appears during PMS because of the sudden changes in hormone levels that a woman's body goes through right before their period.
PMS usually starts to appear mid-cycle (the 14th day after the last menstruation) because this is the time that the levels of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone start to change rapidly.
It is also believed that testosterone production by the ovaries during this time is the main cause of acne breakouts.
That is why acne is usually at its worst a week before a woman's period.
Managing PMS-Related Acne For women who are especially prone to PMS-related acne breakouts, a common treatment involves the use of birth control pills with low doses of estrogen.
This helps suppress the testosterone production that causes acne.
Some examples of these include Yasmin, Estrostep, Ortho-Cyclen, and Mircette.
Not every woman can take birth control pills however - those who have heart conditions or constant migraines, for example, can't be on the pill.
It also takes at least three months of using oral contraceptives before you can see results.
Other hormonal treatments like spironolactone, prednisone or dexamethasone may be used in combination with oral contraceptives to treat acne.
These have side effects however and can harm an unborn fetus in a woman's womb.
A natural, safer way to keep PMS-related acne at bay is by practicing good hygiene and eating a healthy, balanced diet.
A diet that is low in fat and simple sugars and rich in antioxidants from fresh fruits and vegetables will help keep your skin acne-free as well as help reduce other symptoms of PMS.
Regular exercise also helps clear up skin by improving circulation and reduces the stress and emotional negativity related with PMS.
Another treatment you can try is taking natural supplements like anti-acne vitamins to help manage your pimple breakouts right before your period.
All these are part of a condition called premenstrual syndrome or PMS.
PMS and Acne As much as 85% of women suffer from premenstrual syndrome or PMS.
This is a condition characterized by different physical and emotional symptoms that happen before a woman gets her period.
Physical symptoms include fatigue, cravings for salty or sweet foods, abdominal bloating, weight gain, tenderness in the breasts, and headaches.
Women with PMS also tend to be depressed, easily irritated, moody, and anxious.
Most women may experience just a few symptoms of PMS, while about 2 to 5% may suffer from more severe and disruptive forms of the disease.
PMS is one of the major causes of acne for adult women.
Acne appears during PMS because of the sudden changes in hormone levels that a woman's body goes through right before their period.
PMS usually starts to appear mid-cycle (the 14th day after the last menstruation) because this is the time that the levels of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone start to change rapidly.
It is also believed that testosterone production by the ovaries during this time is the main cause of acne breakouts.
That is why acne is usually at its worst a week before a woman's period.
Managing PMS-Related Acne For women who are especially prone to PMS-related acne breakouts, a common treatment involves the use of birth control pills with low doses of estrogen.
This helps suppress the testosterone production that causes acne.
Some examples of these include Yasmin, Estrostep, Ortho-Cyclen, and Mircette.
Not every woman can take birth control pills however - those who have heart conditions or constant migraines, for example, can't be on the pill.
It also takes at least three months of using oral contraceptives before you can see results.
Other hormonal treatments like spironolactone, prednisone or dexamethasone may be used in combination with oral contraceptives to treat acne.
These have side effects however and can harm an unborn fetus in a woman's womb.
A natural, safer way to keep PMS-related acne at bay is by practicing good hygiene and eating a healthy, balanced diet.
A diet that is low in fat and simple sugars and rich in antioxidants from fresh fruits and vegetables will help keep your skin acne-free as well as help reduce other symptoms of PMS.
Regular exercise also helps clear up skin by improving circulation and reduces the stress and emotional negativity related with PMS.
Another treatment you can try is taking natural supplements like anti-acne vitamins to help manage your pimple breakouts right before your period.
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