Over-the-counter (OTC) acne medications typically rely on benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and sulfur to help treat acne. Although these ingredients can help with mild breakouts, they usually aren't enough to treat hormonal acne. Treating the underlying hormonal imbalance is the only way to clear PCOS-related acne.
An anti-inflammatory diet including lots of healthy omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, sardines, mackerel, flax seeds, walnuts, olive oil) can have a positive effect on PCOS and acne. Limiting our carbohydrates and increasing our protein consumption can level out the insulin in our body and reduce metabolic symptoms of PCOS.
While there's no cure for PCOS, there are treatments to help alleviate its symptoms. In the end, the only thing that cleared my skin was a drug called Spironolactone—the one thing I hadn't heard of it until the day I started taking it.
"Patients with PCOS tend to get acne that involves more tender knots under the skin, rather than fine surface bumps, and will sometimes report that lesions in that area tend to flare before their menstrual period," Schlosser says. "They take time to go away."
Is PCOS acne a form of hormonal acne? In short: yes, yes it is. PCOS acne is influenced by hormonal changes in the body, particularly from increased levels of androgen hormones. These androgen hormones stimulate that excess production of pore-clogging sebum, particularly if you already have acne-prone skin.
Eating a diet rich in natural foods like seasonal fruits and vegetables and lean meats, can help combat inflammation that is related to acne development. These fruits typically include leafy greens and healthy fats. The former includes vegetables like spinach, kelp, mustard leaves, lettuce, arugula and collard.
Whitney Bowe suggested a multi-modal treatment plan that includes washing your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser, applying a topical acne treatment after cleansing, and avoiding oil-free and non-comedogenic moisturizers. Diet changes, exercise, and stress reduction are also part of the plan.
The hormonal imbalance caused by PCOS can affect the way breast tissue develops during puberty and throughout pregnancy. Irregular or fewer periods early on in puberty can cause you to have lower levels of the hormone estrogen, which can lead to less breast tissue.
PCOS can create too-high levels of androgens, or hormones that help control processes like hair growth and muscle growth in the body (the most commonly known one is testosterone). When that happens, androgens can increase inflammation both in and outside of the body, which is what leads to cystic acne.
PCOS cystic acne is typical in appearance, presenting as large, red, and deep breakouts on your skin-a a severe form of acne resulting from hormonal imbalance. PCOS-related acne tends to be concentrated in “hormonally sensitive,” areas-especially the lower one-third part of the face.
Results: Metformin treatment significantly reduced acne severity in patients with PCOS (p<0.001). Conclusion: Metformin reduces ovarian hyperandrogenism, leading to clinical improvement of acne in women with PCOS.
Many women with PCOS find that their menstrual cycles become more regular as they get closer to menopause. However, their PCOS hormonal imbalance does not change with age, so they may continue to have symptoms of PCOS.
Electrolysis or laser can remove any hair remaining after hormone therapy. Because it usually is not possible to cure the hormonal problem that causes hirsutism, ongoing medical treatment is required to manage it. Hirsutism will frequently return if medical treatment is stopped.
Development of Severe Acne
If you suddenly develop a bout of severe acne, seemingly out of nowhere, it could mean that you're suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Like endometriosis, PCOS can cause irregular ovulation or lack of ovulation and it can also cause problems with your fertility.
Your acne appears around your chin and jawline. One of the telltale signs of a hormonal breakout is its location on the face. If you're noticing inflamed cystic acne on your chin or jawline area—anywhere around your lower face, really—you can bet your bottom dollar that it's probably hormonal acne.
Although a majority of cases with PCOS are obese/overweight, a small but significant proportion of patients present with normal body mass index (BMI; ≤25 kg/M2) that makes diagnostic work up and therapeutic approach more difficult. These cases are termed as lean PCOS.
Intermittent fasting has become an increasingly popular method for managing PCOS symptoms in recent years. Studies are ongoing, but there is plenty of evidence to suggest that it can be helpful for some women with PCOS.
CARDIO. Moderate exercise like brisk walking, jogging, cycling or swimming are all great activities that can help with PCOS. This type of exercise increases your bodies sensitivity to insulin, which reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Omega-3 supplements, for example, have been shown to help lower testosterone levels and even regulate the menstrual cycle. Other supplements that may help to improve acne symptoms include Vitamin D, Magnesium, Vitamin B6, and Zinc.