Can rosacea in adult women be caused by a progesterone deficiency?
Rosacea (pronounced roh-ZAY-sha) is a relatively common, chronic skin disorder. The rosacea classic symptoms are patchy flushing (redness) and inflammation, particularly on the cheeks, nose, forehead, and around the mouth.
Rosacea typically appears between the ages of 30 and 50 and affects more women than men.
No one knows for certain what causes rosacea. Although rosacea can affect all segments of the population, individuals with fair skin who tend to flush or blush easily are believed to be at greatest risk.
Researchers have suggested several factors that may be related to its development:
- A disorder of the blood vessels that causes them to swell, leading to flushing.
- A genetic predisposition combined with certain environmental factors that may irritate the skin.
- Clogging of the sebaceous gland openings with skin mites called Demodex folliculorum, which live in facial-hair follicles.
Rosacea affects the eyes in many patients, and may result in a watery or bloodshot appearance, irritation and burning or stinging. The eyelids may also become swollen, and styes are common. This condition is known as ocular rosacea.
Does progesterone help ease the symptoms of rosacea? Well, Jamie, it appears to, though no one knows by what mechanism this is achieved.
Feedback to this site from women using natural progesterone cream, more often than not, includes the general comment, “my skin has improved”.
Progesterone appears to aid repair and hydration of the skin. Even sensitive skin, like mine, seems to tolerate progesterone cream when applied sparingly to the face at intervals during your cycle.
Premium cosmetics have been using progesterone in their products for over half a century. So it comes as no surprise to read that progesterone may help reduce dry, blotchy skin while improving elasticity and diminishing fine lines for a radiant youthful complexion.
When applied directly to the face, including the affected skins areas, good outcomes are generally recorded.
Lorraine writes: “I am 51. Did not have a period for 5 years and didn’t know about the P/E ratio. I started to get a painful sunburned look on my face during stress, glass of wine, etc. My GP and dermatologist both said rosacea. I got the Rxs and they didn’t work. I stumbled across NPC, started using it 1.5 weeks ago … no red face, even under stress!”
Progesterone supplementation can have a positive effect on acne that tends to be a by-product of increased androgen production (PCOS). Seborrhea (flaky, itchy skin) clears rapidly with topical progesterone cream, while keratoses (keratinized epithelial cells) are reported to soften and disappear when cream is applied directly to them.
