. . . and then you hit your forties! For many women, their late thirties and forties see the return of a problem they thought they had left behind as teenagers: acne. After decades of being acne free, they suddenly start seeing signs of it in their mirrors every morning. At first it might seem like it’s just a pimple or two, but over time the evidence right there on your skin makes it clear that you really do have acne blemishing your previously clear complexion.
Acne often arises as women enter perimenopause, starting around age 35, and may continue through menopause. It can feel disappointing, discouraging – and daunting. Not to mention making you feel a little silly and shy, all over again! Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to become acne free, even as your body is changing and adjusting to the new levels of hormones represented by its evolution toward menopause.
As a first step, you might try simply adjusting your diet to increase those foods which naturally assist your body in balancing its hormones. If you search for foods which naturally contain substances which help balance and increase your hormone levels, you’ll find lists that go literally from A to Y. Apples, beets, carrots, dairy, oats, peas, rice, soy, tomatoes, and yams are only some of the foods that you may find helpful in controlling or eliminating this new onslaught of acne.
The next step is to talk to your doctor. You can have her check your current hormone levels to determine where on the continuum that is menopause your body is at this moment. Some women choose to try natural or prescription hormone supplements in order to control the many symptoms of menopause. These may also help your skin clear up, as well, but be sure you discuss with your doctor all the possible side-effects of prescription hormones. Your doctor may also recommend medicated or non-medicated, natural or prescription, topical applications for your acne.
If you choose to try natural hormonal supplements, do some research online before speaking to your doctor about them. There are a great many different supplements available, with many different approaches to the problems caused by menopause, including becoming acne free again! Some of these have an herbal basis, for instance including black cohosh and other “women’s herbs.” Others may include isoflavones, bio-identical estrogens, and other substances which may help.
Remember that everyone’s body reacts differently to different therapies. Keep trying, and you’ll see your skin clear up again!