Acne

Do you know there is a deep relation between acne and PCOS? It can be managed with the help of effective treatments offered by a gynecologist.

What is PCOS?

PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is a common hormonal condition that concerns women of childbearing age. It is an endocrine reproductive disorder that occurs when the ovaries start to produce abundant androgens- the male reproductive hormones, which are normally present in women in low amounts

As the name suggests, the PCOS condition describes the numerous fluid-filled sacs called cysts that develop within ovaries due to anovulation. These cysts produce high levels of androgens which further cause many of the symptoms of PCOS. These signs and symptoms typically appear around the time of a teenage girl’s first menses and can develop in later life. 5 to 10% of adolescent girls and young women are affected by PCOS.

PCOS and Acne: The relation

The heart of PCOS is hormonal imbalance. According to Dr. Shilpa Bansal Agrawal, an expert gynecologist in Mumbai, the most common symptom of PCOS is high levels of androgens. The elevated androgen levels in a female body have a significant influence on the formation of PCOS Acne. They induce the sebaceous glands present in the skin to produce an excess of sebum- the natural skin’s oil.

The PCOS acne problem is an outcome of the plugging of hair follicles or clogging of the skin pores with excess sebum, dead skin cells, impurities, and sometimes trapped acne-causing bacteria which leads to inflammation. It can be noticed in different body parts among people, including Face, Chest, Neck, and Upper Back. Other contributing factors for the increased incidence of acne in women suffering from PCOS include high blood sugar levels, chronic inflammation, and stress as they wreak havoc with the production of androgen hormones.

PCOS is just one of the multiple risk factors for acne formation. Acne may even be a result of hormonal fluctuations during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause; Stress, certain medications like corticosteroids, and certain behaviors like not drinking enough water, using comedogenic skincare products or makeup, and not regularly washing face.

If one is suffering from acne due to PCOS and is looking for effective hormonal acne treatment in Mumbai, one can consult the expert Dr. Shilpa Bansal Agrawal.

Signs and Symptoms of PCOS

PCOS can manifest itself in various ways, including:

Irregular, infrequent, or protracted menstrual periods- For instance, having heavy menses, a period interval of more than 35 days, and less than 9 periods every year.
Hyperandrogenism- Excess androgen levels result in hirsutism (excessive facial or body hair growth), acne, and even male-pattern baldness
Polycystic ovaries- In the abdominal ultrasound, the ovaries appear enlarged with follicles around the eggs that develop into multiple cysts of varying sizes. As a result, the ovaries stop functioning as intended.

The Symptoms of PCOS Acne include:

Extra oily skin due to excess sebum production
Inflammation at the site of PCOS Acne
Clogged pores that result in pimples formation
Redness of the skin around the affected area
Pain may be there depending on how deep or severe the acne develops
Acne breakouts with pus oozing out.

If one is encountering these issues, they can consult for PCOS Acne treatment in Mumbai at Harleys Cosmetic & Women Clinic.

How can PCOS-induced Acne be Treated?

Primarily, consulting a gynecologist is always recommended to people experiencing symptoms of PCOS condition because the exact reasons behind PCOS are uncertain. As the main cause of PCOS acne is the high androgen level, treatment of the underlying hormonal imbalance can help clear PCOS-related acne. If PCOS gets treated, the acne caused by the condition will automatically resolve. However, this might not always be easy and require a lot of time.

Here are the best treatment options for PCOS-related acne, prescribed by a gynecologist:

Oral contraceptives- These birth control pills contain a combination of female hormones- Estrogen and Progesterone. Their intake can help restore the declining levels of these hormones and reduce the levels of testosterone/ androgens in the body. For most PCOS-affected women, this treatment option works but it takes time. So, oral contraceptives must be taken from a trusted gynecologist, as prescribed. However, oral contraceptives are not recommended for PCOS-affected women who are aged above 35 years, are smokers, or have a history of blood clotting disorders, hypertension, or leukemia.
Anti-androgen drugs- These are pharmaceuticals that can help reduce testosterone levels in women with PCOS and bring their amount back to normal. Before prescribing anti-androgens, the gynecologists ask for blood tests and based on the patient’s current testosterone levels, their course of medication is decided.
Retin-oids- Adolescents affected with PCOS can be effectively treated for PCOS-related acne with retin-oids. These retin-oids are available in the form of pills or creams and are used only when gynecologists prescribe them. Those who use retinoids experience more skin sensitivity to the sun’s UV rays, therefore it’s necessary to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 above throughout the day otherwise they can suffer from hyperpigmentation or skin cancer. If topical retin-oids are used, these must be applied only at night, if not they can cause sunburned skin. Initially, retin-oid-based creams or gels may dry out the skin. Therefore, they must be applied every other day and their amount must be gradually increased over time until the acne clears off.
Acne medications- Many skin cosmetics and ointments contain chemicals such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and sulfur that can help treat only mild forms of acne. But, these are usually not sufficient to treat PCOS-induced acne.
Antibiotics- For the inflammatory type of acne breakouts in PCOS-affected women, antibiotics may be prescribed in certain dosages. To avoid any unnecessary side effects, the antibiotics must be taken only when the doctor advises it.

Tips for Good Skincare for PCOS-induced Acne Control and Management

Avoid picking at pimples, touching or scratching them, or trying to pop them as what’s inside these pimples may spill out and result in more acne breakouts.
Daily wash your face with a suitable cleanser and lukewarm water at least in the morning and at night before bed. Also, do not leave make-up on the face before going to sleep at night.
Apply a moisturizer and sunscreen every day, based on your skin type.
Refrain from the use of non-comedogenic make-up and other skincare products.
Have a healthy, balanced diet that includes a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. Eliminate the unhealthy fats loaded foods and carbohydrates or starchy food or drinks from your daily meals.
Avoid eating inflammatory food items like sugars, red meat, refined flour, potatoes, fried food, etc. regularly. Having them may cause inflammation in the skin on various body areas that can give rise to acne. Hence, your diet must incorporate anti-inflammatory food items such as walnuts, olive oil, broccoli, avocados, turmeric, almonds, kale, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, lemon, and others. Those food items that contain more vitamins A and C, Zinc, Copper, and Bromelain are anti-inflammatory. Before planning your diet, it’s recommended to consult a dietician and achieve the best-desired results.
Drink an adequate amount of water daily, so that the skin is kept well-hydrated and the body can flush out all toxins.
If under stress, get indulged in de-stressing activities such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing so the stress-related factors that aggravate PCOS acne can be alleviated.
Invest your time in half-an-hour moderate exercises every day or less time if doing extensive workouts so that your weight can be kept in control. Regularly exercising can help enhance the body’s circulation, lower blood sugar levels, and reduce extra body fat.
Sleep properly every night. Taking well-rested sleep can allow the skin cells to replenish and rejuvenate the skin.

Consult the best acne and PCOS treatment doctor in Mumbai Dr. Shilpa Bansal Agrawal, at her gyne clinic, Harleys Cosmetic & Women Clinic, or at the prestigious hospitals located in Mumbai, like Surya Hospitals: Multispecialty Hospital for Women & Children, Cloudnine Hospital, BSES MG Hospital, and Criticare Asia Multispeciality Hospital.

Address

Harleys Cosmetic and Womens Clinic
101-102, Jyoti Tower, DN Nagar,
Next to Nav Chaitanya, off Link Road,
Andheri West, Mumbai - 400053. Locate us

Phone

+91-9323048601

Email

info@drshilpagynaecologist.com

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