awful, awful skin, please help

[littlelamb]

I came off my pill (Marvelon) last month,as I think it was making me really moody, and since stopping I have got really horrible spots on my face, especially my chin. I had terrible skin as a teenager, and it has really upset me to have it again. Should I assume that it is due to stopping the pill? I have been pretty stressed recently, and also had trouble sleeping so could that be responsible? Should I ask the doctor for something to help clear it up? I (hopefully)have some job interviews coming up, and I could do without being so self-conscious about it. I would appreciate any experiences or suggestions x

[nicnack2]

have a chat to ur gp as they are more sympathetic these days to spots. it could be hormonal, if you suffered them in ur teens. hth

[WideWebWitch]

Being stressed and not getting enough sleep will give you crap skin ime. My suggestions are:

Trying not be be so stressed but you know this! Can you talk about it/write it down and then decide you won't worry/go for some counselling/yoga?

Get more sleep if you can

Drink lots of water, really makes a difference. Cut down on booze.

Eat lots of fruit and veg if pos. And fish.

sex (if you're with someone)or other exercise (swimming/walking)

sunscreen whenever you're out

Good luck. I really want to lose some weight but the one thing I'm pleased with atm is my skin, which I'm putting down to a combination of some of the above.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

LL

It may be stress but I doubt it as the root cause as this is also a long standing problem. Women who continue to have cystic acne/spots into adulthood is often caused by underlying hormonal imbalances (the Marvelon would have dampened down this effect and therefore your skin would have looked better anyway). In this regard a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a possible cause.

I would have a blood test done to see what your hormone levels are like with particular attention paid to the levels of LH and FSH. If these two are not the same (and particularly if LH is higher than FSH) then you have a possible answer as to why you have this problem with your skin.

I would go all out to establish the underlying cause of the problem. You should have ideally a diagnosis of the problem first.

[MarmaladeSun]

Hi. I suddenly broke out in awful spots, just in one part of my face, about 3 years ago in my 30s. They were terrible, big and angry looking. They made me really upset and self conscious but nothing would help.I'd have about 20 spots in the space of a 50pence piece. Nothing the doctors or pharmacists would suggest helped, neither did any natural remedies. Then one assistant in superdrug suggested OXY10. If I could find her again I would kiss her as it cleared them up in 3 days AND they have never come back. It's pretty powerful stuff, and it bleached the pillowcases and towles so I would not want to use ti all the time, but it only took that 3 days and I haven't had to use it since...about a year ago. I hope this helps.

[Enid]

I had terrible acne spots a few weeks ago (see depressed threads!)

I have been using CLINIQUE blemish control wash and night gel and they have almost compltely gone would HIGHLY recommend!

[littlelamb]

I went to the doctors today as it was getting me down. She prescribed me the pill called cilest and a face gel called Duac, which is for the treatment of acne. But my main problem is that I have realised just how stressed out I feel. And to add to all that I am pretty sure my period was due on Saturday, but despite cramps for a few days it remains illusive. Please tell me that this is normal when stressed and coming off the pill