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Women with hair loss
may also want to ask themselves if they have adult acne as well. Both hair
loss and adult acne in women may signal the presence of excessive
androgens in their bodies. Other conditions associated with excessive
androgens are hirsutism, irregular menstrual cycles, obesity, infertility
or diabetes.
You will find that many hair specialists recommend the same medications
for both adult acne and hair loss in women.
Adult acne, or sometimes called hormonal acne are more stubborn and
resistant to traditional acne medication. They usually occur on the lower
portion of your face around the chin and jawline of adult women.
Adult acne is usually trigged by excessive androgens in the body.
Androgens are a kind of hormones that stimulate the sebaceous glands in
our skin. When the sebaceous glands are overactive, adult acne may
develop.
Adult acne can sometimes be easily treated with some of the least
androgenic birth control pills, corticosteroids and spironolactone.
Speaking at the American Academy of Dermatology's 2001 Annual Meeting, Dr.
Diane Berson (Assistant Professor, Dept of Dermatology, New York
University, New york) suggested that birth control pills should be the
first treatment to use against adult acne. Specifically, Dr. Berson
recommends two of the newer progestin, desogestrel and norgestimate, as
they are less androgenic compared to other formulas. Dr. Berson further
added that FDA has recently approved the first low dose oral contraceptive
pills for the treatment of adult acne. Patients should consult their
doctor to see if these new medications are suitable for them.
Women with adrenal hyperplasia or overactivity of the adrenal glands may
benefit from oral corticosteroids. Dr. Berson recommends prednisone or
dexamethasone. These medications can decrease androgen production in the
adrenal gland.
As for spironolactone, it is one of the more potent anti-androgen
medications available. Spironolactone can prevent excessive oil production
by blocking the androgen receptors. It also decreases androgen production
in both the ovaries and the adrenal glands. Spironolactone comes with side
effects such as breast tenderness and menstrual irregularities. Most
doctors would recommend taking spironolactone together with oral
contraceptives.
Women who have severe cystic acne should be cautious with this treatment
called Isotretinoin. Cystic is the most pervasive kind of adult acne and
it does not respond to most prescription medications. The medication most
commonly prescribed to treat cystic acne is Isotretonoin. While
Isotretonoin can control cystic acne, it also comes with severe side
effects such as depression and in some cases, perhaps suicide.
The key to treating adult acne and hair loss in women is early diagnosis.
It is very important that you consult your doctor when you first noticed
signs of adult acne and hair loss.
To locate a doctor who is knowledgeable about female hair loss, please try
our doctors directory at
http://www.hairsite.com/female/docdirectory.htm
Current Forums:
Birth
Control Pills & Hair Loss
Hormone
Replacement Therapy
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