We all know that there are many underlying reasons for the outbreak of acne. Most are related to the overproduction of oil by our sebaceous glands and trapped dirt and dead cells in our pores. However, many women often break out in their late 20s and early 30s, sometimes for the first time in their lives.

Many women find they break out in acne when they get their menstrual periods, or when pregnant. Some women experience acne even during menopause. Research has shown that this reaction of the skin is hormone-related. During puberty, the male hormone androgen is present in both male and female bodies. Androgen can enlarge the sebaceous glands in hair follicles, leading to greater amounts of oily sebum being produced and resulting in acne. Women may also see acne outburst throughout their cycle, the cause of which we do not fully understand as yet.

Pregnant women and women undergoing menopause and post-menopause also experience hormonal acne outbursts. During pregnancy, it is necessary that an expectant mother speaks with her physician regarding appropriate acne treatments, as medication often affects the growth of the unborn child.

For women with acne who also require oral contraceptives, some doctors can prescribe an oral contraceptive that contains mestranol or ethinylestradiol, as these drugs are shown to interfere with the androgen hormone that causes acne.

There are a few treatment options available for adult women who regularly suffer from acne. For women who have found that antibiotics or topical treatments have not been helpful solutions for acne, there are still many other alternatives to try.

Most women turn to birth-control pills, which when used in low dosages with other forms of topical remedies, can decrease the amount of extra androgens and treat the skin, thereby limiting blemish breakouts. Before resorting to any type of treatment, women should be aware of side effects and consult a gynecologist.