Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a hormonal imbalance that affects approximately 5 million-6 million women of childbearing age in the United States. It’s also the most common cause of infertility, yet many women aren’t aware they have it.
Since September is PCOS Awareness Month, we thought it timely to take a closer look at one aspect of this widespread disorder. PCOS causes a specific type of acne, which Dr. Abdul Hafeez and the caring team at the Center for Dermatology diagnose and treat.
In addition to infertility and acne, PCOS also causes other uncomfortable symptoms, including:
We noted that many women don’t realize they’re living with PCOS until they start trying to get pregnant. That’s because many of its symptoms can be either missed or attributed to something else. If symptoms are mild, a woman is also more likely to overlook them.
We don’t expect to deal with acne when we’re well into our 20s up to our 40s, but that’s just when PCOS-related acne eruptions crescendo. The other bad news? This type of acne may not respond well to common treatments.
Since PCOS disrupts your hormones (especially by causing high androgen levels), it makes sense that acne can result. That’s thanks to a surplus of oil and pore-clogging bacteria. Only by bringing a woman’s hormones back into sync can we truly eradicate PCOS-related acne.
If you have PCOS and experience disturbing acne breakouts, Dr. Hafeez can help. You might also come to us with acne and have no idea what’s causing it. In this case, Dr. Hafeez starts you on the road toward a PCOS diagnosis if he thinks that’s the culprit.
With PCOS-related hormonal acne, you can be plagued by whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, and painful, stubborn cysts.
For treatment, Dr. Hafeez may recommend:
Note that some women can’t use oral contraceptives, especially if they’re over 35 or have a history of blood clots, smoking, breast cancer, or high blood pressure.
When using prescription retinoids, be aware that they cause increased sensitivity to the sun’s powerful UV rays. Patients must be vigilant about using sunscreen and protecting their skin from the sun in other ways, like staying out of the sun when it’s strongest during the day.
We can also perform procedures in-office to remove signs of acne. We can extract blackheads using an instrument designed for that, and inject substantial cysts with medication that hastens healing. Dr. Hafeez may also recommend chemical peel treatments and light therapy options.
If PCOS-related acne has left you with scars that frustrate you, we can minimize them with microneedling, microdermabrasion, and fractional resurfacing laser treatment.
Don’t hesitate to turn to us if you experience acne caused by PCOS. We’re here to help you feel confident again about how your skin looks.
Contact our Lawrenceville, Georgia, office at 770-682-2500 today to schedule an appointment, or use our convenient online booking tool.
