Anti-Androgen Drugs
Anti-androgen medications reduce the male hormone androgen to work. This hormone naturally exists in both men and women. But too much androgen can worsen acne problems by disrupting the hair follicles that control the creation of skin cells and oil. Testosterone, the most well-known androgen, is a crucial hormone for developing male sex-specific traits.
One of the leading causes of hormonal acne is testosterone. The skin’s sebum production might rise when the body creates more testosterone than usual. Testosterone has a direct impact on sebum production. Because some are more sensitive to the hormone’s effects than others, certain people will experience more severe hormonal acne.
Progesterone, which helps maintain healthy skin moisture levels and suppleness, is also produced at its lowest level at this time. As a result, the skin experiences a significant time of vulnerability. The skin is far more prone to acne than usual when androgens are at their highest and progesterone is at its lowest, leading to an outbreak that impacts most women.
Spironolactone (Aldactone) primarily treats hypertension and has anti-androgen properties. The medication can inhibit the body from making additional androgen, allowing the hormone levels to balance.