Ladies have numerous problems to deal with during the monthly cycle. Usually, it is accompanied by symptoms such as menstrual cramps, varying degrees of discharge, mood swings, and much more. But one noticeable sign of impending menstruation can be observed on the skin as pimples! So, the question that we need to understand is why pimples appear during menstruation, and what could be done with them.
How Do Pimples Form?
Generally, pimples form due to the inflammation of the oil glands on the skin. Acne, as we commonly address this skin condition, leads to redness, bumps, or zits that appear on various face, neck, shoulders, back, or chest spots. People may also develop pimples due to genetics, environmental factors, pollution, and stress.
Acne starts appearing during an individual’s teen years. However, this skin condition may persist during adulthood. Why so? Acne begins in puberty as one’s hormones trigger the skin’s oil gland to oversecrete sebum. Sebum, or oil, can accumulate inside the pores and clog them. Given the viscosity of sebum, it also aggravates the clogging of pores as dead skin cells and microorganisms gather in them. Such setup leads to the development of all sorts of acne including whiteheads, blackheads, cysts, or nodules.
Depending on the manifestations, individuals could use topical creams, over-the-counter products, or even prescription medicine to minimize the appearance of these acne. While, some who are unbothered by acne opt not to do anything about it, which is totally fine as well!
Are Pimples and Menstruation Related?
Seeing a new bump or pimple before or during your red days is not always a coincidence. The primary reason why pimples appear during menstruation is similar to why they mainly appear in teenagers. Hormonal fluctuations during menstruation lead to the development of acne. These hormones could induce sebum production and contribute to acne formation.
The usual menstrual cycle goes for about 28 days. Women could notice that period acne appears before they start their first day of menstruation. This is the case because acne flaring during premenstrual syndrome depends on the body’s estrogen and progesterone levels. Throughout the entire cycle, hormones rise and fall. Estrogen maintains a low level during the premenstrual period while progesterone eventually increases. The increase of the latter hormone is responsible for the increase in sebum production of the oil glands. The same hormonal changes also explain other problems women deal with during menstruation, including mood swings, soreness of breasts, and cramps.
The increased sebum production induced by the rise of progesterone can manifest differently in people. For instance, some may have a healthy glow as the skin naturally obtains lubrication and moisture from the excretion of the oil glands. On the other hand, some people may have period acne because of too much secretion of sebum which clogs pores and traps debris.
Symptoms of Period Acne
Now, you have an idea of why pimples appear during menstruation. But, could you really tell if your breakout or pimple is due to your menstrual cycle? Usually, period acne appears during a specific time of time, particularly during the start of your menstruation. The location of the acne could also tell something about its connection to the cycle. Period acne commonly appears on the lower half of the face, around the chin and jawline. Despite being more prone to period acne there, period acne can still develop in other areas.
Period acne looks a bit different than the kind of acne one normally gets in their teen years. This time, the acne appears very red and inflamed. Papules or raised bumps rarely contain pus. They may also be deep-seated lesions and could be painful when pressure is applied. Hence, they appear as an inflamed bump on the skin which may give you a hard time especially if you have an important event to attend!
Simple Ways To Managing Period Acne
Cystic acne may be a result of a woman’s menstrual cycle. This appears as numerous inflamed bumps under the skin. The plumpness of these cystic acne makes them irresistible to pop or squeeze. But, should you really be doing this for your period acne?
Do your best to avoid popping any form of pimple as these can lead to scarring or infection. Your fingers are filled with microorganisms that could enter the open wound formed by popping the pimple. Plus, cystic acne does not normally contain pus, so it would be pointless to try and pop them. Cystic acne can be treated safely with the help of a professional to prescribes oral antibiotics, hormonal therapy, or systemic steroids.
But if you need something to relieve a painful cystic acne, you can apply a warm compress over it for 10 to 15 minutes as needed. The warmth will manage the pain and help draw out the pus if there is any. On the other hand, if you are just dealing with a deep-seated swelling, it is best to use a cold compress for 5 minutes.
Here are some other ways to make your period acne less painful and less noticeable:
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Period acne may be exacerbated by bacteria that clog the skin. So, you can try using a benzoyl peroxide-containing product to kill the bacteria. Furthermore, this ingredient also draws out oil and sebum to quickly dry out the acne.
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Prevent the buildup of microorganisms and sebum by always washing the face. Use a gentle cleanser twice a day. However, steer away from products like loofahs or washcloths. These would not remove more bacteria! Instead, it will further irritate your already-inflamed skin and lead to worsening acne.
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Use salicylic acid-containing products. Unlike benzoyl peroxide’s antibacterial property, you will benefit from salicylic acid’s ability to unclog pores and exfoliate the skin.
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Try topical retinoids or azelaic acid-containing products. Retinoids contain vitamin A which helps the skin produce new and healthy cells, expel sebum from the pores, and unclog them. On the other hand, azelaic acid reduces inflammation by killing bacteria. Aside from minimizing the appearance of the acne, it can also help fade the acne spots.
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If you have cystic acne, you can use a hydrocolloid pimple patch over it to prevent you from accidentally, or deliberately, popping or touching them.
Before Your Next Period, Try These:
Unfortunately, period acne will come back the next time you have your cycle. As frustrating as it sounds, you can try the following tips before your next period:
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Try to avoid food with high glycemic index. These include sugar-rich drinks and snacks, white bread, and processed food. There have been studies correlating the risk of inflammation and worsening of acne with the spike in blood sugar levels. So, try not to be swayed by your premenstrual cravings!
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Eat a balanced diet. Aside from avoiding sugar-rich food, nourish your body with a plant-based diet that can prevent further inflammation and give you an inner glow.
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Lack of sleep can cause flare-ups of acne. When you do not get enough sleep, the body gets lots of cortisol in the bloodstream. And this induces the hormones to develop more severe acne.
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Hormones are the primary reason why pimples appear during menstruation. Birth control pills or oral contraceptives may be prescribed to you to help improve period acne. These pills modulate your hormones, alleviating the root cause of formation of the pimples.
Lastly, do not forget to seek consultations with a healthcare professional. Ob Gyn specialists know what is best regarding concerns with the menstrual cycle and its associated symptoms. They may also prescribe you medications for acne and oral contraceptives. Plus, if you have irregular cycles or severe pain during menstruation, these professionals will help diagnose any underlying medical conditions that need attention.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed why pimples appear during menstruation. Indeed, the two have been proven to be related and women can develop acne during their cycles. Hormonal imbalance during a woman’s menstrual cycle triggers the formation of period acne.
There may be various ways to deal with period acne depending on the kind and symptoms that you are dealing with. But, do not forget the importance of seeking consultations with a healthcare provider for menstrual cycle and acne concerns.
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