Spots around my time of the month...

[mumwifemaggie]

I get spots (angry red and pus) before my period, and they usually stay for around 2 weeks, although they don't disappear altogether.

I started getting them when my DS was born about 6 years ago, GP has given me creams and toners but nothings worked. I posted on Beauty thread but was suggested I post here.

I have a steroid cream that I needed for a rash on my leg but I know your not supposed to use them on faces due to thining skin, but its the only thing that works (only use it if a big social event planned).

I don't use make-up and only put on creams etc from GP. I'm not on any hormone treatments or contraceptive pill and haven't used anything for over 5 years.

Others suggested I go back to GP and got appointment for later this week, but has anyone been in this position too?

I sympathise........I have awful skin too due to PCOS. Is there a particular reason you dont take the pill? You may find that it helps to improve your skin as the spots are hormonal.

Do you have any other unusual symptoms or irregular periods etc etc?

Have a look at your diet. Some people find that a diet with too much sugar and refined starch in it can trigger the over-production of male hormones which, in turn, leads to excess oil in the skin and blocked pores. PCOS sufferers are increasingly advised to follow a 'Low GI' Diet based on wholegrains and other wholefoods to alleviate some of their symptoms e.g. mood swings, period pains and acne.

Talk to your doctor if you are concerned but try adjusting your diet in the meantime. Good luck

The pill seemed to affect me quite badly after I had DS with very heavy, sore periods and then v v v bad PMT but I was steralised (sp?) a year after DS was born, about 6 months after the spots started so that may be a factor. I really don't want to go back on the pill tho, I didn't feel like myself when i was on it.

What is PCOS? I have an underactive thyroid but GP said that's not a cause of the spots.

My diet is usually very good but around my period I do go for the sweet, refind crap I usually avoid! I never thought about that

Thanks for the help

PCOS is polycystic ovary syndrome. It is a reasonably common condition in younger women and it can include symptoms such as hormone imbalance, insulin resistance, acne, facial hair, painful/heavy/irregular periods, mood-swings, weight-gain.

"Sweet refined crap" ia a very normal reaction to body-changes around the time of a period as often we need more energy and these foods provide a quick-fix. However, if you can consciously resist the urge to eat sugary/starchy/processed foods and get that extra energy from more wholesome food sources then you could find the spots are not such a problem.

Thanks Chil1234, I'm due end of next week so I'll make this month my starting point. The spots have already started tho, got GP's tomorrow, I'll see what he thinks.

I went on Pill when I was 15 as I was having v heavy periods every 3 weeks and it really sorted it out. Think the mood swings were just because I was 15!