Confused- What's the hormonal connection?

violamarie · 08-11-2006, 04:45 PM

Ok, this is something that has been puzzling me...the acne I'm experiencing is obviously a hormonal issue. I didn't even start having skin trouble until I was 21 when my periods got wacky...

When I was DX 2 yrs ago, my RE said my estrogen/testosterone were in the normal range (don't know what the numbers are). Also I'm very thin with no hair loss/growth. I don't know if I'm IR on not, but if I am it is only slightly (I don't have the symptoms of someone IR).

So... if hormones are causing my moderate, non-cystic, very persistent acne, which ones are doing it? I am so confused. I do everything "right" as far as skin cae is concerned and I've tried tons of OTC/RX treatments. Nothing really works.

Adding to my confusion is the fact that I've been nursing for 8 months so no AF. So if I'm not even having a cycle, how can my hormones be messed up? Also, I've read that nursing lowers estrogen, so shouldn't that help? Or is it another hormones causing the trouble?

I have a derm. appt. soon but I'm wondering if he'll be able to help. I don't want to go on BCP again (I think it just makes the hormones worse in the long run) and I'm scared of Accutane. But what else is there left for me to try?

Is anyone else confused? Any answers?

abbyjamesmama · 08-11-2006, 08:26 PM

I have experienced the same situation, my acne "behaved" the best when I was preg both times (boy and girl, go figure). So I KNOW my acne is hormonal, without going into particular testing I have tried a couple things you might try. However, I'm not sure you can if you continue nursing so check that out first. But I have tried a few antibiotics, Bactrim and Doxycyclin. Doxy is the one I'm currently on and it works pretty good. I have little breakouts monthly, but I can handle those.

But the Derm is the best thing you can do for now, and just be firm with what you want to do. I doesn't sound like Accutane might be an option for you, most derms like to use that for more cystic acne. (I've been on that 3 times before). Best wishes....

violamarie · 08-11-2006, 09:15 PM

I am currently weaning my son, so that's not an issue. Also I have tried doxycycline before and noticed no major improvement. I am not completely 100% against Accutane, but I am afraid. It's a last resort...

abbyjamesmama · 08-12-2006, 07:30 PM

The only thing I can say about Accutane is that it works well, but mine came back about a year later. Hence the three times I took it. Some people only need it once though. I was younger, college years, with the worse acne ever. I didn't have any adverse affects, I did have drier eyes and mouth, but I could live with it. And I wasn't sexually active so I didn't take bcp to protect me against birth deffects. It just depends, what the derm says.

I forgot to mention in my first reply above about the hormonal acne. I specifically asked my derm about the hormones and he couldn't give me a definate answer, he just knew there wasn't anything he could do to "mimic" the pregnancy hormones that gave me the clear skin.

violamarie · 08-13-2006, 12:40 AM

Unfortunately, pregnancy didn't give me clear skin. Maybe I'll have to do Accutane.

abbyjamesmama · 08-15-2006, 03:41 AM

Best Wishes, like I said it worked great for me at the time, maybe one dose is all you need.

Ps your siggy is great. Cute pics