Even under the best of conditions, Rosacea can be an extremely trying medical condition. It becomes particularly vexing for women in their monthly cycle or during menopause. In women, the condition is diagnosed three times more, although in men it is often more severe.
When the body feels threatened, it reacts accordingly, producing chemical responses in the Adrenal Glands affecting your hormonal levels. Adrenals protect the body with anti-inflammatory effects which explains why your adrenal health is critical when it comes to Rosacea.
The ever-increasing exposure to higher levels of stress, lack of physical exercise and proper sleep (which worsens nutrition) result in diminishing levels of healthy hormones that are also functioning properly.
So the question that begs an answer is: Can Rosacea be aggravated by hormones?
Testosterone and Estrogen
Mistakenly, people assume that the pimples and bumps that are often seen with the advent of menopause are acne. What most don’t know is that hormonal imbalances associated with menopause can not only cause but aggravate Rosacea.
Testosterone levels in women rise with menopause, which triggers the production of skin oil, creating the perfect setting for microscopic skin mites to thrive.
Estrogen possesses anti-inflammatory properties known to reduce oil gland activity. It also reduces the size and tightens the pores. However, as the production of estrogen temporarily slows during pregnancy, menopause or menstrual cycles, symptoms of Rosacea start to appear.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
DHEA, a precursor to different sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone), is also known for playing a role in the growth of Rosacea.
Acute or adrenal stress may potentially raise DHEA levels, which occurs when the adrenal glands attempt to generate more Cortisol so as to cope with increased stress.
When the adrenals are unable to produce enough Cortisol, it results in a hormonal imbalance that could aggravate Rosacea.
Stress-Induced Hormonal Imbalance
Naturally, throughout their lifetime, women experience several different periods of hormonal imbalances. Birth control medications, for example, are known to possibly trigger Rosacea as they cause a hormonal imbalance.
Women who are also prone to stress should take measures to bring the levels down as it helps in preventing flare-ups of Rosacea and the existing symptoms from becoming worse.
Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
It is widely noted that over and over again, Rosacea gets aggravated during mid-cycle and at menopause. Normally, with advancing age, the production of HGH declines, especially after reaching menopause.
Thyroid hormones are also known to cause the skin to become flushed, warm, and sweaty which are important symptoms of Rosacea.
Summary
Generally, a combination of lifestyle changes and medications give the best outcomes in terms of managing Rosacea. Experts have now come up with several options for treating Rosacea, including hormone replacement therapy and prescribing antihistamines.
Women experiencing flare-ups of Rosacea due to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), emotional stress may also greatly benefit from using medical therapy or alternative methods.
While it is challenging to detect hormone levels as they could fluctuate erratically, medical testing could assist in determining if hormonal imbalances lie at the root of your Rosacea problem.
The key to managing Rosacea lies in minimizing exposure to factors that trigger the symptoms or aggravate them, including hormonal imbalances.