Live life without acne

Does the sudden sprouting of acne leave you depressed? If you are one of those young women suffering from acne, living in the myth of using creams and cosmetics to cure it, this is the right time to know the fact. Acne could be the result of PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome), which is one of the leading causes of infertility in women.
Most women merely depend on creams and home remedies to cure it, without caring too much for the real cause.The fact is that acne has nothing to do with skin care; it’s all because of imbalance hormones. The best way to avoid acne is to seek PCOS treatment.
Seema, a 17-year-old had acne since she was 13. When she turned 16, the acne started breaking out on her chin and cheeks. It grew to new levels and she started getting cystic acne. All those homemade remedies or medications she used didn’t work out. Later she was recommended to a gynaecologist, this was when she came to know the connection of acne to PCOS.
Gynaecologist Dr. Duru Shah says, “PCOS could be the reason of acne. It is a condition in which there is an imbalance of a woman’s female sex hormones, which also causes irregular periods, skin changes, trouble in getting pregnant and other problems. To treat acne, it is necessary to control the hormones. Before the acne worsens, it is always recommended to consult a gynecologist and proper advice and medications should be provided to the patient. It is not possible to cure PCOS, but it can be treated.”
What is PCOS and how common is it?
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition in which there is an imbalance of a woman's female sex hormones. It is the most common hormonal disorder occurring in women during their reproductive years. It’s thought that 4-10 per cent of all women have the disorder. It is one of the leading causes of infertility. Symptoms start to show up soon after puberty.
What causes PCOS?
Researchers are not certain about the exact causes of PCOS, as they have always been associated with one or more of these factors:
- Weight gain
- High blood levels of insulin
- Genetic predisposition
- Excessive production of male hormones
- Organ/Hormonal disorder
- Environmental chemical pollution
- Food adulteration
- Chronic inflammation
Signs and symptoms of PCOS:
The symptoms of PCOS vary from woman to woman but some of the most common symptoms are:
- Acne
- Irregular or absent menses
- Infertility
- Obesity or inability to lose weight
- Excessive body or facial hair
- Insulin resistance and possibly diabetes
- Thinning of scalp hair
- Multiple ovarian cysts
- High blood pressure
- Impaired lung function
- Sleep apnea
- Disordered immune system
- Mood disorders, including anxiety and depression
- Appetite disorder
What is the treatment for PCOS?
One of the most common forms of PCOS treatment is the birth control pill. Other kinds of hormonal therapy include "vaginal ring" and "the patch". Even if the woman is not sexually active, birth control pills may be useful because they contain the hormones that the body needs to treat your PCOS.
By taking the birth control pill either continuously or in cycles one can:
- Correct the hormone imbalance
- Lower the level of testosterone (which will improve acne and lessen hair growth)
- Regulate menstrual periods
- Lower the risk of endometrial cancer (which is slightly higher in young women who don't ovulate regularly)
- Prevent an unplanned pregnancy if one is sexually active
Is there any other medicine to treat PCOS?
Metformin, a medicine which helps the body lower insulin level can treat PCOS. It is particularly helpful in girls who have high levels of insulin, or have pre-diabetes or diabetes. Some girls are treated with both Metformin and birth control pills at the same time.
(With inputs from Dr Duru Shah, Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Mumbai)