Link between endometriosis and acne?

[Binkyskyer]

Hi - everyone - anyone! I have probably had endometriosis for 20+ years judging by past symptoms - I am now 46! I was only diagnosed (with stage 4 severe) in 2010 after fertility investigations. The endo' itself doesn't bother me so much now but I have always suffered with poor skin/acne which I find incredibly distressing, I recently found out that endo' causes an imbalance of hormones and therefore, in some women, may be the cause of chronic acne (no doctor came up with that suggestion when I went to them for help with my skin). No treatments have worked for my skin. Does anyone else have this problem? If so, has anyone found a treatment? I'm thinking hormone balancing diet or something - not for help with pain, or heavy periods, just for endo-related skin issues?? For the endo' I have been offered hormone treatment - but the side effect is acne! Thanks in advance for any advice.

[AllWeNeedIsluv]

I defo think there's a link when my endo pains are bad and my pms is bad my jaw line breaks out iv struggled with bad skin all my life too and now I'm pregnant and on progesterone it's not as bad still quite but no where near as bad as it can get. I do definitely think hormones have a big part to play in our skin as well as the endo they are in my opinion linked as so much other things to do with endo are too. 💗🤗😘

[Binkyskyer in reply to AllWeNeedIsluv]

Thanks - yes, jawline cystic acne is part of what I get...and they are painful and ugly and take weeks to heal! Good to hear you are pregnant...congrats!

[AllWeNeedIsluv in reply to Binkyskyer]

Thanks hopefully will last got a confirmation scan on Monday. The acne is a headache xx

[Fabbird]

Hi, I too have wondered about a connection. I’ve had bad skin all my life. Now 51 and still spotty... I also have stage 3 endo.

I notice that I get them premenstrually and then they settle as my period finishes. It’s always been like that, but the pattern is clearer now. I’m wondering what will happen with menopause? I’m definitely peri menopausal and so far no difference to my spots. Will have to wait and see. One can only hope!

[Binkyskyer in reply to Fabbird]

Thanks for the reply. I'm afraid that it is a comfort to know that there are others out there who suffer skin issues well after the teenage years! Mine too are worse before my period but some months they stay bad all through the month and only clear (a bit) after the second period! My mother didn't go through the menopause until she was in her mid 50s so I have possibly got another 10 years of this!

I so wish I had thought about this possible connection years ago as I may have been able to explore other treatment options before the scars of acne took hold. They affect me daily in how I feel about myself and my confidence to go out.

I do wonder why GPs dish out antibiotics for acne rather than investigating first, what the root cause may be - especially when someone in their late 20's/early 30s turns to them for help with acne. Clearly it is not just teenage hormones causing them! May be I would have got a diagnosis of endometriosis earlier too and had earlier treatment so that I could have had children....who knows!