The Acne Progesterone Connection
Acne is a condition that has bothered most of us at some point in time. For some the outbreak lasts only for the few teenage years where everyone seems to be breaking out in zits and for others acne as a problem does not cease to exist even after the adolescent years are past.
The link between acne and progesterone has baffled medical researchers and practitioners alike. This skin disorder that afflicts almost 90 percent of the population and is so pervasive that it can affect irrespective of age, gender and race, has been known to have some connection with the progesterone levels in the body.
While there are some researchers that believe that high levels of progesterone causes the skin to break out, others believe that progesterone is actually an antidote for acne.
Those who believe that progesterone causes acne link up the two in quite a circumventing manner. Studies have been conducted to show that there is a spurt in the levels of progesterone during the menstrual cycle causing hormonal imbalances in the body.
The hormone is secreted in large amounts during the luteal phase of the cycle. This is initiated and caused by signals sent to the body by the corpus luteum. Along with the production of progesterone, large amounts of pantothenic acid are taken up from the pantothenic pool of the body.
This results in the redistribution of vitamins in the body and also places a lot of pressure on fatty acid metabolism.
Since during this phase these metabolic processes do not work efficiently, it results in the collection of lipids in the sebaceous glands. These oil producing glands are the key cause of acne surfacing and breaking out on the skin.
Even though normal levels of progesterone does not cause acne to occur, a sudden increase in the hormone cause imbalances in the body leading to deposits of lipids in the sebaceous glands. This sebum then breaks out through pores and manifests itself as ugly pimples on the face and other parts of the body.
Even as further studies are underway to prove or disprove the above-mentioned theory, there are people who strongly believe that progesterone is the body's natural reaction to acne and actually helps in eliminating the problem.
That is the reason why you can see many progesterone related products in the market that tout the belief that progesterone actually helps in eliminating acne.
Whether the levels of progesterone increase or decrease the level of acne is still suspect and needs further investigation. But one thing is definitely for sure that acne still remains as one the of the major concern areas among skin related problems for many.
The link between acne and progesterone has baffled medical researchers and practitioners alike. This skin disorder that afflicts almost 90 percent of the population and is so pervasive that it can affect irrespective of age, gender and race, has been known to have some connection with the progesterone levels in the body.
While there are some researchers that believe that high levels of progesterone causes the skin to break out, others believe that progesterone is actually an antidote for acne.
Those who believe that progesterone causes acne link up the two in quite a circumventing manner. Studies have been conducted to show that there is a spurt in the levels of progesterone during the menstrual cycle causing hormonal imbalances in the body.
The hormone is secreted in large amounts during the luteal phase of the cycle. This is initiated and caused by signals sent to the body by the corpus luteum. Along with the production of progesterone, large amounts of pantothenic acid are taken up from the pantothenic pool of the body.
This results in the redistribution of vitamins in the body and also places a lot of pressure on fatty acid metabolism.
Since during this phase these metabolic processes do not work efficiently, it results in the collection of lipids in the sebaceous glands. These oil producing glands are the key cause of acne surfacing and breaking out on the skin.
Even though normal levels of progesterone does not cause acne to occur, a sudden increase in the hormone cause imbalances in the body leading to deposits of lipids in the sebaceous glands. This sebum then breaks out through pores and manifests itself as ugly pimples on the face and other parts of the body.
Even as further studies are underway to prove or disprove the above-mentioned theory, there are people who strongly believe that progesterone is the body's natural reaction to acne and actually helps in eliminating the problem.
That is the reason why you can see many progesterone related products in the market that tout the belief that progesterone actually helps in eliminating acne.
Whether the levels of progesterone increase or decrease the level of acne is still suspect and needs further investigation. But one thing is definitely for sure that acne still remains as one the of the major concern areas among skin related problems for many.