Heart Surgery Health Chat Live NOW! Free live Q&A with the Cleveland Clinic's Dr. Douglas Johnston. Join us!
Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Menopause (Expert Forum)
menopause and acne
Answered by
Machelle Seibel, MD - Women's Health, menopause, ReproductiveMedicine
University of Massachusetts Medical School
MA
Questions in the Menopause forum are answered by Dr. Machelle Seibel. Topics covered include menopause issues, depression, hormone replacement therapy , hot flashes, joint or muscle problems, memory problems, mood swings, osteoporosis , sexual problems, skin changes, sleeping problems, vaginal problems, and weight problems.
menopause and acne
by Dee T, May 31, 2007 12:00AM
I am going through menopause (age 53) and have developed mild acne. I'm not sure if I should treat it any differently than I would have if I was in my teens. I have been using facial moisturizers since I was 18 and night cream moisturizers for the past 6 months. Could the moisturizers be making my acne worse? Acne products really dry out my skin. Would a product, such as Proactive, be helpful?
Doctor's Answer
by Machelle Seibel, MD, Jun 02, 2007 12:00AM
, Jun 02, 2007 12:00AM
Acne occurs in a fair number of women near menopause. Sometimes there is increased production of androgens ('male' like hormones such as testosterone). The acne is caused when the skin glands clog up with thick secretions. While I cannot say for sure, it is likely that skin moisturizers are not making the acne worse. Using skin products that contain benzyl peroxide or salicillic acid locally on the areas that have the acne might improve the problem and not dry out your entire face. If you are making acne cysts, they might need to be injected with a weak steroid to make them go away.
Consider seeing a dermatologist. Also, some women benefit with a low dose of antibiotics or going on a low dose birth control pill to control their problem. Although it is unlikely that your hormone levels of testosterone are quite elevated, just to be sure, you can ask your doctor to check your androgen levels to be certain the levels are not abnormally high as a result of overproduction that needs investigation.
Machelle Seibel, MD
Consider seeing a dermatologist. Also, some women benefit with a low dose of antibiotics or going on a low dose birth control pill to control their problem. Although it is unlikely that your hormone levels of testosterone are quite elevated, just to be sure, you can ask your doctor to check your androgen levels to be certain the levels are not abnormally high as a result of overproduction that needs investigation.
Machelle Seibel, MD
