Many women struggle with blemished skin before their period. The skin problems that occur, such as pimples and acne, are often directly related to the menstrual cycle. They can be a symptom of premenstrual syndrome. What causes them and how to counteract pimples before your period is explained below.
The most important facts about pimples before your period at a glance
- Before your period, women can develop more skin blemishes and pimples.
- Some women even develop hormonal acne during this phase of their cycle.
- Besides pimples, women are often affected by other PMS symptoms before their period.
- The skin blemishes can primarily be traced back to fluctuations in the hormone balance.
- To counteract pimples, skin care before your period is especially important.
- A balanced diet and avoiding stress, among other things, can help improve the appearance of the skin.
Why do skin problems occur so often before the period?
Pimples and other skin blemishes before your period are usually due to hormones. As you probably know, your hormones fluctuate during your menstrual cycle. In the first half of the cycle, oestrogen levels are particularly high. In the second half, on the other hand, progesterone levels rise.
These hormonal fluctuations are completely normal for women. However, they have many effects on the body. Among other things, they can cause the skin to produce more sebum. This can clog the pores, which in turn can lead to blemishes, pimples and acne.
Other PMS symptoms
Pimples and blemishes before your period are not the only symptoms that can be caused by premenstrual syndrome.
In addition, women affected by PMS may also suffer from the following symptoms, for example:
- Abdominal pain
- Back pain
- Nausea and bloating
- Mood swings and even depression
- Sleep disturbances and tiredness
- Concentration problems
- listlessness
- Hot flushes
Where do pimples appear before the period?
Most women develop pimples before their period, mainly on the face. Other areas of the body that are often affected are the upper part of the back and the décolleté. Of course, pimples and other skin impurities can form all over the body.
In which phase of the menstrual cycle do pimples most often occur?
Most women develop skin blemishes and pimples in the days before menstruation. The first half of the cycle, on the other hand, is rarely associated with skin problems because of the hormones.
- During the period, the skin of many women is dry, which makes it sensible to use a moisturiser during this phase of the cycle.
- In the follicular phase, the rising oestrogen level ensures particularly good blood circulation in the skin.
- Immediately before and after ovulation, the skin is usually at its best, so there is no need for much skin care.
- After ovulation, the oestrogen level drops. The progesterone level rises and the likelihood of pimples increases.
How can the development of pimples before menstruation be prevented?
After ovulation, there is an increase in progesterone levels. Immediately before the period, the progesterone and oestrogen levels drop significantly. At the same time, testosterone levels rise. Testosterone in turn stimulates the production of sebum.
The result is oily skin, blemishes and pimples. Some women even develop hormonal acne. To counteract the skin impurities, affected women have no choice but to cleanse their faces regularly with suitable products.
What is hormonal acne?
While some women only have one or two pimples to complain about, others develop hormonal acne before their period. In this case, pimples appear on the face under the skin. Hormonal acne does not only affect young women. It can also occur in older women, for example, if they have stopped taking the pill or are affected by PCO syndrome.
If you have hormonal acne, you should see a doctor. He or she may prescribe a medication or a high-dose vitamin supplement to treat the condition. Please note that even supposedly harmless vitamin preparations can have dangerous side effects if taken in excess. Therefore, you should never take them on your own to treat your skin problems.
What can help against pimples and blemishes?
If you have trouble with pimples and blemishes before your period, there are a few things you can do.
- Washing your hands regularly is important so that your hands are clean when you touch your face.
- Eating a balanced diet can help prevent blemishes and other PMS symptoms.
- Avoiding excessive stress will not only have a positive effect on your well-being, but also on your skin's appearance.
- Regular walks and a moderate exercise programme can help reduce PMS symptoms such as pimples.
If you suffer from very severe skin problems and pimples before your period and are unable to alleviate them with home remedies, you can of course always contact your gynaecologist for further advice.
