Spironolactone is generally
prescribed as an "off label"
acne treatment for women.
This drug, though intended
to help people with heart
problems not zit problems,
reduces the production of
the hormone androgen. Androgen
promotes excess facial oil
secretion.
Less oil secretion limits
the possibility of having
clogged pores and acne flare-ups.
Spironolactone works as an
androgen receptor blocker.
This drug decreases androgen
production in the ovaries
and adrenal glands. Side effects
from spironolactone can include
breast tenderness and menstrual
irregularity.
For this reason, doctors usually
add oral contraceptives like
Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Estrostephave
to compliment acne treatments
and ease potential spironolactone
side effects. Ironically though,
spironolactone is recommended
for women who are not candidates
for oral contraceptives.
So should a woman over 35
with acne go with spironolactone?
According to the American
College of Physicians, the
answer is "No".
In the 2004 May/June edition
of the American College of
Physicians (ACP) published
a medical review of studies
that tested the effectiveness
of spironolactone for controlling
hirsutism, acne, or both in
fertile or postmenopausal
women. The ACP review found
insufficient evidence to recommend
spironolactone as an acne
treatment.
Nevertheless, Dr. Diane Thiboutot
of Pennsylvania State University,
Hershey uses spironolactone
for female patients with acne
accompanied by a suspected
endocrine disorder.
For example, when a woman
experiences a sudden onset
of severe acne or acne that
is linked with excessive facial
hair growth, irregular menstrual
periods, increased libido,
dark patches of skin, deepening
of the voice, insulin resistance
and hair loss, spironolactone
may be helpful.
Dr. Thiboutot noted that spironolactone
"seems to control quite well
those cystic-type nodules
that they [women] get on their
lower face and chin."
Yet Dr. Julie C Harper Dr.
Harper of the department of
dermatology at the University
of Alabama, Birmingham doesn't
recommend spironolactone so
easily. Only if neither topical
retinoids nor antibiotics
have not worked for a woman's
case of acne would Dr. Harper
then suggest using spironolactone
for women over 35.
Author of "Acne Messages",
Naweko San-Joyz, says "A woman's
response to androgens is so
varied that limiting herself
to an androgen blockers like
spironolactone certainly does
not guarantee a cure, or even
a quick treatment."
San-Joyz adds that overproduction
of androgens is just one step
in a series of potential events
that could lead to acne.
Instead of hormonal manipulation
with drugs, San-Joyz suggests
women with acne regulate this
conditional using food, stress
control and greater awareness
of potential acne triggers
like environmental estrogens.
Women with acne have numerous
treatments options. If a woman
does decide to go with spironolactone,
it's best to get her prescription
filled with her gynecologist
rather that her general practitioner.
It's most likely that the
gynecologist will be more
aware of how a patient may
respond to hormonal treatments
like spironolactone and oral
contraceptives, thus making
recovery faster.
About the Author
Naweko San-Joyz created the
Acne Messages program, the
only acne program to combine
the latest scientific research
and ancient wisdom to deliver
an acne cure as unique as
the acne sufferer. Millions
of acne problems, billions
of acne cures. Find your unique
acne cure with Acne Messages.
ISBN: 0974912204 available
at http://www.Noixia.com>http://www.Noixia.com
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