Acne , menses: The average menstrual cycle is 28 days, and each of these days is different hormonally. Ist half of a woman’s cycle, the predominant hormone is estrogen; 2nd half, is progesterone, can produce sebum or oil like substance. Oil provides food for the bacterium p. Acnes. This bacterium causes increased breakouts and inflammation around the time of women's periods. Many days prior to menses Progesterone is dominant and produces sebum . The next phase which is around menses hormones decline but testosterone another hormone that can form sebum stays the same and produces more sebum that bacteria can work on.
Answered 1/27/2015
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