Hormonal acne is a type of acne that occurs when a persons hormone levels fluctuate, causing zits and pimples to appear. Hormonal acne is also known as adult acne and affects adults between the ages of 20 and 50. While any gender can have hormonal acne in their adult life, it typically affects women more than men. Women tend to experience more hormone fluctuations compared to men due to puberty, menstruation cycles, pregnancy, and menopause. Hormonal acne causes bumps on the face, shoulders, chest, and back in the form of pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and cysts. Hormonal acne is the direct result of excess sebum in oil glands.
Hormonal acne can be triggered just before, during, or after a menstrual period in a predictable way. Hormonal acne resembles usual acne but may cause deeper nodules and cysts that last for long periods. Hormonal acne causes spots on the chin and jawline and also around the mouth. Some people continue to experience acne after the age of 30 years, and during pregnancy and around menopause, hormonal changes can again cause acne to affect women.
