PCOS and acne

Dealing with PCOS can be a frustrating experience — especially when it causes acne. Fortunately, there are ways to manage acne that becomes aggravated by PCOS.

If you are a woman under 40, it’s likely that you’ve had your fair share of acne woes. Acne is a common skin condition that impacts over half of women between the ages of 20 and 30 years of age. No matter who you are, managing acne can be a frustrating experience. More importantly, acne can point to a more serious underlying condition.

It is not unusual for acne to reflect a larger systemic condition — such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Determining the cause of acne is an important step toward managing not only your acne, but your overall health and wellbeing. If you have struggled with persistent adult acne, talk to your doctor about the possibility of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS.

What is PCOS?

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a hormonal and metabolic condition that affects up to 10% of women. Women who have PCOS often possess an excess of male hormones — known as androgens. This hormonal imbalance can impact your menstrual cycle. Most commonly, PCOS causes a disruption in the ovulation process. Polycystic ovaries typically develop small cysts and fail to regularly release eggs.

Other symptoms include excessive hair growth or hair loss, weight gain, irregular periods, and persistent acne. As a hormonal disruptor, PCOS is the leading cause of infertility in women. In short, PCOS interrupts or prevents ovulation, which ultimately prevents pregnancy.

PCOS can be challenging to diagnose because of the wide range of symptoms it produces. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe a variety of tests to diagnose potential PCOS.

Why does PCOS cause acne?

When associated with PCOS, acne often occurs in a pattern consistent with hormonal imbalance. Typically, hormonal acne becomes most pronounced on the upper neck, jawline, and chin. It may be especially stubborn and inflamed and often becomes aggravated around the time of your menstrual period.

Because PCOS can cause severe irregularities in your hormone levels, it often causes or worsens acne. Many women with PCOS experience acne flares that are more painful, long-lasting, and noticeable than typical bouts.

In addition to acne, PCOS can impact your skin in other ways. A common skin condition associated with PCOS include unusual hair growth, known as hirsutism. Along with hair growth on the body, many women also experience noticeable hair loss or thinning on the scalp and hairline. Some women experience a darkening on the skin, typically in the creases of their neck or under their arms. Ultimately, most PCOS-related skin conditions are caused by either a hormonal imbalance or insulin resistance associated with the disease.

How is PCOS-related acne treated?

The treatment plan for your acne ultimately depends on the scope of your symptoms. For example, if you are experiencing severe acne and are a good candidate, your doctor may prescribe spironolactone to help you minimize your flare ups. Especially if you typically have irregular menstrual periods, your health care provider might recommend birth control to help you manage your condition.

In other cases, your doctor may recommend that you improve your nutrition or lose weight in a healthy manner. Maintaining a healthy weight and fitness level can help you mitigate your PCOS-related acne — and other symptoms as well.

Ultimately, your personal treatment plan will be determined by several factors. Beyond physical symptoms, your family planning goals can play a major role in your Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome treatment plan. For example, if you are trying to become pregnant in the near future, your doctor will not prescribe spironolactone and will instead seek treatment options that support fertility and a healthy pregnancy.

Talk to your doctor about acne treatment

When it comes to choosing the best acne treatment plan for your needs, your health care provider is the best resource. Your doctor can help you learn more about how PCOS may be affecting your skin health. If you haven’t been diagnosed with PCOS, your doctor will discuss potential testing and treatment plans.

Before prescribing medication, your healthcare provider may recommend lifestyle or dietary changes to help support your overall health. Be ready to discuss your current nutrition, fitness habits, and more with your doctor.

Alpha Medical offers online medical consultations as well as prescription medication for acne and relief of PCOS symptoms. To get started, you will complete an online consultation and an Alpha Provider will work with you to help you best manage your health.

To learn more about the conditions Alpha addresses and start your online consultation, visit our website.

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