How Is Pcos Diagnosed
Your health care provider will ask about your medical history and your symptoms. You will also have a physical exam. This will likely include a pelvic exam. This exam checks the health of your reproductive organs, both inside and outside your body.
Some of the symptoms of PCOS are like those caused by other health problems. Because of this, you may also have tests such as:
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Ultrasound. This test uses sound waves and a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissues, and organs. This test is used to look at the size of the ovaries and see if they have cysts. The test can also look at the thickness of the lining of the uterus .
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Blood tests. These look for high levels of androgens and other hormones. Your health care provider may also check your blood glucose levels. And you may have your cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked.
Treating Acne In Pcos Without Birth Control
#1. Fixing Acne from the INSIDE
This is #1 for a reason.
Most people, by the time they will have read this information, will have already spent thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours obsessing over what to put ON their skin.
You need to shift gears and start focusing on what you put INSIDE your body.
What do I mean?
I’m talking specifically about the use of certain supplements, vitamins, and minerals to help treat hormonal and PCOS acne.
Believe it or not, these strategies are very effective and may help to kickstart the healing process.
But in order to be effective, they must be accompanied with other therapies such as changes to your diet, management of your stress and of course hormone balancing.
I’ve broken down some of the most common supplements used to treat acne based on the hormonal problem you are facing…
When taking supplements do your best to target your supplementation to the specific issues that you are dealing with.
Also, try to avoid taking more than 3-5 supplements at once as this might be counterproductive and lead to decreased absorption.
If you don’t know where to start then you might find the best success taking the combination of Zinc, Indole-3-Carbinol, and Selenium.
This combination hits the major hormone imbalances common among women with PCOS.
#2. Fixing acne from the OUTSIDE
While treating acne from the inside is important , you don’t want to neglect the value of using high-quality products directly on your skin.
#3. Diet
#4. Medications
High Inflammation In Women With Pcos
Women with PCOS have higher levels of C-reactive protein . This is involved in immune responses that cause inflammation.
Inflammation is the bodys way of saying, Im injured and trying to heal, dont touch me. With the pain and inflammation, you are forced to leave that body part untouched while it heals.
Since there are higher levels of this CRP, inflammation occurs more readily. This serves to worsen off PCOS Acne.
Now, you have an understanding of how hormone imbalances in PCOS cause Acne. Lets take a look into natural remedies for PCOS Acne and what Ayurveda suggests us to do.
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What Is Pcos And Why Does It Cause Acne
PCOS is a hormonal disorder that can create too much androgen in the body, increasing inflammation in the skin and leading to cystic acne. According to OB/GYN Dr. Felice Gersh, women with PCOS have three things that cause acne: high levels of androgen, systemic inflammation, and a deficiency of estradiol.
Unlike normal acne, the cystic, hormonal kind is much more severe and painful and in my experience, takes forever to heal.
What Causes Pcos Acne

Your pituitary gland sends signals to the body to produce the right amounts of hormones — oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. These signals are disrupted due to PCOS. This is when the oestrogen and progesterone levels drop while the level of testosterone increases.
When this imbalance occurs, it prevents ovulation and causes irregular periods. It increases testosterone levels in the body, which in turn increases the production of sebum that leads to acne. One of the main reasons that is widely believed to be causing PCOS is poor lifestyle and lack of physical activity, though there can be other medical reasons too.
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Acne On My Back
What Are The Causes Of Pcos Pimples
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome brings about many changes in the body that cause PCOS acne. These are
Other Pcos Skin Problems
Another PCOS skin problem that women often face is the darkening of the skin. Brown skin discolouration called acanthosis nigricans develop on the neck, armpits or inner thighs. These discolourations are rough, dark and velvety patches of skin. Women with PCOS might also experience skin tags, dry skin and loss of hair.
Also read: Neem benefits for acne
Also Check: How To Use Tea Tree Oil For Acne
Treating Existing Acne Scars From Pcos
What about treating existing acne scars?
Many of the therapies that we have touched on above address the root cause of acne and their purpose is to stop acne, but they don’t necessarily target existing acne scars.
Treating acne scars is another topic, but we can briefly go over some of the best therapies available to treat them:
- Microneedling therapy – Microneedling therapy helps break up scar tissue underneath the skin and can seriously help improve the texture of the skin and reduce acne pock marks . Microneedling is a therapy in which a device delivers hundreds to thousands of tiny needle punctures to the superficial layers of your skin. For best results, you will probably need 6 to 10 microneedling sessions. You should notice a slight improvement in your acne scars after each session.
- Laser therapy – Laser resurfacing therapy, like microneedling, helps to break up scar tissue and promote collagen growth . Laser therapy is more expensive and may require more downtime when compared to microneedling.
- Vitamin C serum – Vitamin C serum can be used in conjunction with these therapies to help reduce skin healing time and promote collagen and elastin growth.
Skin Care Routine For Pcos Acne
Regardless of which PCOS acne treatment you choose to follow in order to treat underlying causes, it is also necessary to follow a proper skin care routine for best if you wish to effectively manage PCOS acne.
As a general rule, be sure you wash your face two times a day, in the morning and evening before bed. If you must wear makeup, choose a noncomedogenic variety. And no matter what, always avoid touching, picking or scratching your acne.
Try the following skin care routine for your PCOS acne.
Morning
Evening
Read Also: Why Does Dairy Cause Acne
Does Pcos Cause Acne Treatment Options And More
January 30, 2020 By Maya Khamala
- Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common hormonal disorder that can cause enlarged ovaries, sometimes with numerous small cysts on their outer edges.
- PCOS is known for affecting a womans fertility, but can also cause a number of other side effects, among them hormone-induced acne.
- Although the exact cause of PCOS is unknown, with careful and thorough treatment, managing PCOS acne is possible.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. Up to 10% of women are affected by PCOS, and acne is among its most common symptoms.
PCOS acne can be mild or severe, and emotionally distressing for some women, but having an understanding of this disease and its many possible courses of treatment can help to keep the hormonal acne which often accompanies it under control .
Contents
Other Medications For Acne And Hair Loss
Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin can only be prescribed in Australia by a dermatologist for severe acne. It works by shrinking the sebaceous glands and by reducing sebum production .
This should be used only in women who are not trying to conceive, and effective contraception such as the oral contraceptive pill must be used when taking this treatment, as there is a possibility of foetal abnormalities . Side effects include dry skin and eczema.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a liquid or foam that is massaged into the scalp and helps to prevent hair loss. Side effects include scalp dryness and itchiness. Some dermatologists prescribe minoxidil in tablet form, often together with spironolactone.
Also Check: Why Do I Have Acne In Between My Eyebrows
Pcos Cystic Acne Cure Get Clear Skin With Home Remedies
PCOS cystic acne is large, red and deep breakouts on your skin. It is a severe form of normal acne that is caused by hormonal imbalances.
PCOS cystic acne is one of many external symptoms that reflects an underlying problem of PCOS in women.
You wake up in the morning and as usual, you stand in front of the mirror and see the embarrassing problem cystic acne on your face.
And again you hate your PCOS that is taking away your life from you.
Are you experiencing these feelings in your life?
Dont worry.
Let us face the problem in a positive perspective
How I Reversed My Pcos In 6 Steps

So how did I do it? And how can you, too, reverse your PCOS? Heres what Id recommend, based on my personal experience:
1. Get your hormones tested
Having a complete hormone panel run by your doctor is crucial to understanding what type of PCOS you have and what hormones need balancing. Some women have excess androgens , which can cause acne, weight gain around the midsection, facial hair growth and missed periods, while other women may be estrogen dominant , resulting in long menstrual cycles, heavy cramping, intense PMS symptoms and infertility.
Be sure that your doctor runs a complete panel that included estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, AMHA, DHEA and perhaps even your thyroid and insulin, as women with PCOS often have hypothyroidism and insulin resistance, as well.
2. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet
The impact that our diet has on our hormones is pretty amazing. To optimize mine, I followed an anti-inflammatory diet that drastically reduced my intake of gluten, dairy, inflammatory oils, sugar and processed food.
Instead, I filled my plate with plenty of organic, fiber-rich fruits vegetables and whole grains healthy fats and lean protein. I also incorporated lots of hormone-healing foods like spearmint tea, cinnamon, apple cider vinegar, bone broth, nourishing teas, collagen and adaptogenic mushrooms.
3. Take hormone-balancing supplements
4. Exercise smart
5. Toss toxic products that disrupt hormones
6. Balance blood sugar
Read Also: How To Control Acne On Face Naturally
How To Treat Pcos Acne
Treatment of PCOS acne involves therapies that treat the visible symptoms on the skin and those that target to underlying causes of PCOS. Various forms of treatment such as over the counter medications, oral contraceptive pills, antiandrogen drugs, retinoids, laser therapy, light therapy, etc. are employed. An appropriate treatment course is charted out by dermatologists depending on the severity of your PCOS acne
Can Pcos Cause Acne
Acne due to PCOS is a common manifestation among women who suffer from this medical condition. PCOS is characterized by the presence of high levels of the male hormone, androgen. This hormone causes excessive hair growth and progressive acne that can even become cystic in nature. High blood sugar levels also contribute to the increased incidence of acne in women with PCOS.
The lower half of the face, namely the cheeks, chin, and jawline along with upper neck are primary areas that are affected by PCOS acne. Acne due to PCOS can also be seen on the upper back and chest. One in 10 women suffers from PCOS and among the causes of acne dealt and treated by doctors, more than a quarter of the women suffer from PCOS.
Must Read:How To Get Rid Of Hormonal Acne?
Also Check: How To Fade Dark Acne Scars
Common Signs Of Pcos Acne
Just like acne that occurs on its own, PCOS acne can vary hugely in severity, from a few small pimples to severe, persistent acne breakouts.
If you have PCOS acne, you may notice the following symptoms:
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Comedonal acne. Comedones are small, non-inflammatory acne lesions that develop when your pores become clogged. Blackheads and whiteheads are common forms of comedonal acne.
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Inflammatory acne. Inflammatory acne develops when acne lesions become infected with bacteria and inflamed. Common types of inflammatory acne include pustules and papules, which can have a red, swollen appearance.
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Nodular and/or cystic acne. When acne becomes severe, it can develop into nodular or cystic acne. This type of acne develops below the surface of your skin and can leave behind scarring when it clears.
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Body acne. If you have PCOS, you may also notice acne that develops on your chest, back and other parts of your body.
Acne from PCOS usually looks the same as acne that develops on its own. Our full guide to the most common types of acne goes into more detail about the forms of acne you may notice if you get PCOS-related acne breakouts.
Get Back A Beautiful Looking Face In Five Minutes
PCOS Cystic Acne Is Not A Simple Problem With Quick Fixes.
You have to deal this problem both externally and internally.
Ill get into details little later.
First, let me tell you that you can cover acne and redness with a simple foundation.
Watch the following video and know how to transform your face in five minutes that looks beautiful
Okay, now you know how to cover up your face and look normal in just five minutes
As you have been suffering from PCOS cystic acne for a long time, you might have a lot of apprehensions, doubts, and wrong beliefs.
First, you need to have a clear picture of what is cystic acne the reasons behind it actual causes and remedies available to cure PCOS cystic acne.
Also Check: How To Fade Away Acne Scars
The Importance Of Curing Pcos Acne From Within:
As you can see, PCOS acne is caused by internal factors like insulin resistance, excess testosterone, inflammation and stress. Yet a lot of women turn to over-the-counter topical acne ointments that include harmful acids. These are often too harsh on your already delicate skin, causing irritation, redness, dryness and further inflammation.
Additionally, several others use prescription drugs like Accutane, birth control pills and Spironolactone to treat just the acne. Let me assure you, none of these work in the long run. They are nothing more than a Band-Aid they dont address the root cause of PCOS acne.
Unless you treat the underlying causes, your acne will eventually return with a vengeance. Additionally, the many side-effects of these prescription drugs like headaches, dry eyes, vitamin B deficiency, depression, cracked lips, bleeding gums, and fatigue do more harm than good.
If you want to get rid of acne once and for all, and reduce the chances for future flare-ups, you have to treat these underlying causes. Heal your acne from within, and opt for home remedies that come without equally distressing side-effects.
Foods And Diet To Reduce Androgens
- Eat vegetables and fruits that help to balance hormones and reduce excess andogrens. Some examples are: Apricots, banana, cherry, coconut, kiwi, lemon, carrots, green beans, leeks, spinach, oats, quinoa and rice.
- Oils to prefer are Ghee, Olive Oil, and Coconut Oil.
- Prefer Astringent, Sweet, and Bitter tasting vegetables, fruits, and grains.
- Do not hold off hunger or delay your meals. Always eat on the same time every day.
Read Also: What Can Get Rid Of Acne
Keep Insulin Levels Stable
Treat your insulin resistance to treat PCOS acne. Its really that simple. A healthy lifestyle change focused on eating the right kinds of foods and exercising regularly should help reverse insulin resistance. Again, dietary supplements like Aloe Vera, Inositol, Flaxseed, Licorice root, Fenugreek, Cod Liver Oil can increase insulin sensitivity. Cook with herbs and spices that have an anti-hyperglycemic effect. Its important that you keep a close eye on your fasting glucose levels and insulin levels while adopting these changes. This helps you chart your progress and also make sure you are headed in the right direction. Your aim is to get your fasting glucose levels below 100 mg/dl, and fasting insulin level to below 8.4mIU/ml, ideally 5.0mIU/ml or lower.