perimenopause & acne

[wink1970]

Hello All

I'm 7 months into taking HRT (centi 50 patches) for perimenopause and I have developed the most awful cystic acne!

I have never had spots before, only the odd one as a teenager, but these are something else! They are sticking around, painful etc.

Do you think these are the result of the HRT or the menopause? And if anyone has any good advice I am all ears!

Thank you.

I had a touch of this when I’m peri and not on anything. I also never had acne as a teenager.
Google menopausal acne, it’s a thing.
Sorry you’re having this and hope it goes away soon

thank you @myidentitymycrisis I spent hours going down a rabbit hole about this, and also found that the Norethiterone in patches for 2 of the 4 weeks is derived from Testosterone, so I am wondering if it's related.

I have a GP check booked in and will report back. I took off my patch 24 hours ago and feel better generally, though that may be just psychosomatic.

I had really bad spots last summer after I’d decreased my oestrogel to 2 pumps (from 4) & had also been using testosterone. I was using it quite conservatively but I’m sure that’s what oeomeoted it. I felt like I’d been bitten, little lumps all over my face, all itchy & weeping. I’ve not used the testosterone since & upped my oestrogel pumps to 4 again.
Unfortunately no testosterone = no sex drive 😣

Yes I get spots - particularly around the mouth. My menopause specialist called them progesterone spots. They do seem more prevalent when taking the progesterone part of my HRT regime. Doc swapped me from femm seven patches to oestrogen gel and body identical progesterone. Breakouts have all but gone.

I had it before HRT but it went into overdrive after three months of combined patches. It’s calming down now I’ve switched to Mirena coil.

Thanks very much, all, I'm glad it's not in my mind!

I will explore the gels, I think and will report back.