Basic Principles and Side Effects of Hormonal Therapy in Treating Acne
9 April 2008
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No CommentHormones play a huge role in the development of skin blemishes and acne. It is more often the main culprit for a lot of skin problems. Some patients with acne problems who are not responding well from topical and oral anti-acne medicines may opt for hormonal therapy in treating acne. This treatment method is often used to control and treat acne via oral intake of pills containing hormones which regulate the hormonal imbalance that cause skin breakout or acne.
Hormonal therapy in treating acne is the treatment of choice of dermatologists and doctors for patients who have moderate to severe acne problems. These patients oftentimes respond poorly to topical and oral anti-acne medicines, experience allergic reactions from topical anti-acne creams or gels and do not improve at all from other treatment methods.
Hormonal therapy in treating acne is administered by a dermatologist or physician. The purpose of hormonal therapy in treating acne is to block the acne-causing effects of androgenic hormones. Androgenic or male hormones have physiologic effects to the sebaceous or oil secreting follicles which as an effect promotes the development of acne.
The feminine hormone, estrogen, counteracts the effects of androgenic hormones to the sebaceous follicles and reduces oil secretion. Because estrogen has multiple physiologic effects to the body, administration should be closely monitored by an ob-gynecologist or dermatologist. If topical and oral anti-acne medicines fail in treating acne, hormonal therapy may be another treatment method.
Hormonal therapy in treating acne is usually practiced by administering oral contraceptives containing estrogen among females. This is often the mode of treatment rather than administering estrogen hormone alone. This is because the estrogen found in oral contraceptives is well-balanced by the other constituents found in the pill. Oral contraceptives are safer to use in hormonal therapy in treating acne than plain estrogen but patients should still be cautious about the side effects. Common side effects of oral contraceptives include nausea, breast tenderness, increasing weight and menstrual spotting.
Another form of hormonal therapy in treating acne is anti-androgen spironolactone which decreases oil or sebum production and improves the condition of the skin from acne. Most common side effects include headache and fatigue. Some women may also experience breast tenderness and irregular menstruation. This can be administered together with an oral contraceptive to resolve irregular menstruation.
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