How To Ace Your Battle With Hormonal Acne -

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Ms Gautami, a teacher by profession and a fitness enthusiast by passion, talks about being bullied by classmates during her high school days. She adds, “it’s been 12 years since the moment my self-confidence was destroyed and I continuously questioned my self-worth then and now. This fact associated with my skin was discouraging and anonymity with my acne that spread all over my skin during my teenage years was much abhorring to apprehend. The quickie look from my classmates and teachers was nothing less than an outpouring cup of tears for me. Ah, frustrating! In addition, strangers gave weird looks that made me believe I was different. I was too young back then, I would say. Just a teenager with bursting acne on her face.

Not to forget my countless appointments with the dermatologist. Name a serum and I have used it. Unfortunately, these products just cost me money, nothing else. There was no stone left. I just wanted to get off those heavy pulpy bumps out of my skin! Forehead, nose, cheeks!

The feeling of being judged is difficult to comprehend. But time eases everything in life! It’s true!”

Free A Woman Protesting with Messages on Band Aids Stock Photo

What is hormonal acne?

Hormonal acne is directly linked with the production of excessive sebum in oil glands. It causes protruding bumps on your skin and can become red, sore, painful, and inflamed, and is an unavoidable condition. It appears as breakouts on the skin and eventually leads to pimples affecting individuals from teenage to adulthood. Women going through menopause and pregnancy have been reportedly affected by hormonal acne more than males.

What causes hormonal acne?

Acne is the result of clogged pores in your skin. Hormonal acne occurs when there is an imbalance of hormones and excessive amounts of sebum are produced from sebaceous glands. The clogged area filled with oil gives rise to bacteria and soon your skin develops acne.

How should I reduce my acne?

As mentioned, this condition is unavoidable, but what you can do is make lifestyle changes. Instead of focusing more on experimenting with different skincare products, it’s better to make long-term changes. Ensure a healthy diet, avoid oily fried stuff, and get better sleep to reduce the risk of breakouts. And, if your oil glands are super active and causing pain, then surely you need to book an appointment with a health care provider.

How soon can I get rid of hormonal acne?

There’s no specific time. Actually, it’s not something time-bound, but patience has it all. We all have different skin types and one treatment may not work wonders for all of us. There are high chances that you don’t even notice any change even after the following treatment. Let your skin take its time. Many women have claimed that it has taken over 20 weeks for them but varies for all.

How should I deal with self-confidence?

To be accurate, the notion of perfect skin is just an illusionary term to create false ideals. There’s nothing like “perfect” skin or a “perfect” body. The more you aspire to it, the more you loop yourself. Being comfortable in your skin is what should be appreciated and propagated. Confidence is self-taught and makes a difference. If you allow yourself to get hurt by what others see you, you’ll be. Acne on your skin should not stop you from gaining confidence. It’s yours. Own it!

Wrapping up with Priyanka Chopra’s quote, “confidence is your best accessory!” So ace it!

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Absent menstruation or Amenorrhea as it is called in medical terms, is the absence of menstrual bleeding or menstrual periods. Amenorrhea is a condition in which women having regular periods, miss at least three menstrual periods in a row or when girls do not have their first menstrual period by the age of 15.

Many women suffering from amenorrhea deal with a lot of anxiety and stress, even leading to depression in some cases

Types of Amenorrhea

There are two types of amenorrhea – primary and secondary.

Primary amenorrhea
Primary amenorrhea is when periods do not start during puberty. Most girls begin menstruating between ages 9 and 18, with 12 being the average age. If girls do not get periods by the age of 15, then it is considered a case of primary amenorrhea, which may need medical attention.

Secondary amenorrhea
Secondary amenorrhea is when periods have started, but then they cease to occur. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are the most common reasons for this, however, there can be several other reasons for this, that need medical assessment.

Causes

Amenorrhea can occur for a variety of reasons. During the normal course of your life, women may experience amenorrhea for natural reasons, such as –

Pregnancy
Breast-feeding
Menopause

Pregnancy tests, either urine or blood tests, can be done to confirm pregnancy which is considered as the most common reason for absent periods.

Other causes of Amenorrhea include –
Contraceptives – Some women who take birth control pills may not have periods. Even after stopping contraceptives, it may take some time before regular ovulation and menstruation return.

Lifestyle factors – Many a times lifestyle factors contribute to amenorrhea:

Excessive exercise – Women who undergo rigorous physical activity or exercise are highly likely to have interrupted menstrual cycles.
Stress – Mental stress can temporarily alter the functioning of the hypothalamus — an area of your brain that controls the hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle, causing temporary stopping of periods.
Low body weight – Excessively low body weight interrupts many hormonal functions in your body, potentially halting ovulation and causing missed/absent periods.

Hormonal imbalance – Hormonal imbalance can happen due to a number of underlying conditions like:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – PCOS causes relatively high and sustained levels of hormones, rather than the fluctuating levels seen in the normal menstrual cycle.
Thyroid malfunction – An overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) or underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) can cause menstrual irregularities, including amenorrhea.
Pituitary tumour – A non-cancerous tumour in your pituitary gland can interfere with the hormonal regulation of menstruation.
Premature menopause – Menopause usually begins around age 50. But, for some women, the ovarian supply of eggs diminishes before age 40, and menstruation stops.

Medications – Certain medications, such as antipsychotics, cancer chemotherapy, antidepressants, blood pressure and allergy medications can cause menstrual periods to stop

Structural problems – Problems with sexual organs such as lack of or under-developed or abnormal uterus or vagina can cause amenorrhea

When to see a doctor?

Primary amenorrhea
When a teenage girl hasn’t gotten her first menstrual period by the age of 15, it is advised to see the doctor.

Teenage girls usually show signs of puberty in the following order –

Thelarche (breast bud development)
Pubarche (pubic hair development)
Menarche (onset of menstrual periods)

If a teenage girl is fourteen or older and hasn’t experienced any signs of puberty yet, it is advised to seek medical help.

Secondary amenorrhea
It is advisable for menstruating women and teens to see a doctor if the individual

used to have regular periods and then does not have any for 3 months
used to have irregular periods and then does not have any for 6 months

Do I really need to consult a Doctor?

It is quite likely that you may not experience any discomfort even if you have amenorrhea. But it is still advisable to see the doctor. This is because amenorrhea might be due to an underlying condition that may require review and treatment.

Some other complications due to amenorrhea include –

Infertility – If you don’t ovulate and have menstrual periods, you can't become pregnant.
Osteoporosis – If your amenorrhea is caused by low estrogen levels, you may also be at risk of osteoporosis — a weakening of your bones.
Heart disease – It is suspected that low oestrogen levels also put a woman at risk of heart disease. Also, women having amenorrhea associated with PCOS are more likely to develop risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes.

Treatment

Treatment for amenorrhea varies depending on the underlying cause.
Hormonal imbalances can be treated with supplemental or synthetic hormones, which can help normalize hormone levels

If lifestyle factors are found to be the cause of amenorrhea, the doctor may suggest lifestyle changes.

In the case of weight issues, the doctor may recommend healthier diet options. A consultation with a dietician or nutritionist may be suggested.

In the case of stress-related amenorrhea, the doctor may suggest ways to manage stress, such as yoga, mindfulness, and meditation. A consultation with a therapist may be suggested. A change in exercise routine may also be suggested.

In case the doctor’s review reveals that ovarian cysts, scar tissue, or uterine lesions are causing amenorrhea, the doctor may choose to remove these using medications or surgery. Surgery may also be recommended for structural problems with the reproductive organs

Not a disease

Amenorrhea (absent menstruation) is not a disease per say. It is a condition that can be a sign of an underlying health issue that needs attention. In contrast to popular belief, amenorrhea does not indicate that a person is infertile. In most women, amenorrhea is treatable. Treatment of amenorrhea usually involves treating the condition that is causing amenorrhea. Consulting a doctor with your concerns is the key. Following the treatment plan recommended by the doctor can help most people with amenorrhea get their menstrual cycle regular and back on track.