Is there a connection between acne and infertility/miscarriage? Well, let’s break this down and connect the dots. Testosterone is a significant cause of acne, which is why teenagers tend to struggle with breakouts. The more subtle thing to keep in mind, though, is that testosterone doesn’t have to be skyrocketing to cause acne. It could just be high relative to other hormones, such as estrogen. If you’ve ever experienced a beautiful complexion while on hormonal birth control, it’s because your estrogen and progesterone got a huge boost, which kept your testosterone down.
If you have acne AND you’ve been struggling to conceive, and/or maintain a pregnancy, it could be because your testosterone is high relative to estrogen and progesterone. This could be the case even if your lab values say your hormones are normal, because the imbalances could be subtle.
So what if you suspect this is the case? What can you do about it? Let’s take a look at a couple of ways you can rebalance your hormones.
One way is to cut down on sugar, as it triggers a series of hormone reactions that boost testosterone. Try cutting out sugar, and what I mean is to stop eating anything that quickly spikes your blood sugar. Most fruits and veggies are okay, but cut out fruit juices, baked goods like bagels, breads, and muffins, as well as anything obviously unhealthy like gummy bears. Cut out sugar for at least 7-14 days, and if your acne appears at certain times in your menstrual cycle, then do this for at least 30 days. As your body is adjusting, it’s possible to see a slight increase in breakouts before your skin clears up. Stay the course — you are still on the right track!
Another way is to nurture your gut bacteria by taking a probiotic supplement. What does your gut bacteria have to do with testosterone? Well, both testosterone and estrogen get metabolized and excreted with the help of your “good” bacteria known as microflora. When your gut bacteria are imbalanced, you may end up with excess estrogen and testosterone circulating in your bloodstream. Even if your lab values are normal, it could be that they were normal for only that one moment when you had your blood drawn.
If you have already tried these suggestions and are still struggling, you may need a more individualized approach to see what exactly is happening in your body. A comprehensive series of hormone tests throughout your cycle may be just what you need.
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation here to see if this may be the key to unlock your fertility!