<https://www.acne.org/forums/topic/343456-oestrogen-testosterone-progesterone-questions-and-saw-palmetto/>
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"I've read a bit on here about oestrogen being bad for skin, progesterone being good etc.  I'm a bit confused by the advice people have given as I seem to have to have the opposite problem and wondered if anyone else does....or if anyone can help.... \n  \nDuring my period and up until ovulation:  Oestrogen is slowly increasing to its peak.  Progesterone is at its lowest. \n- This is when my skin is at its best (not fabulous) \n- My mood is also at its best (I have an anxiety disorder and associated depression) \n  \nOvulation:  Testosterone peaks, oestrogen drops \n- My mood drops and I get a fresh breakout on my chin (cysts, spots with heads) \n  \nPost-ovulation, leading up to period:   Progesterone at its highest \n- My skin is bad from here until the second day of my period.   Lots of chin cysts, big spots. \n- My mood is bad - anxiety, panic, irritable \n- Plus physical stuff like bloating, sore boobs, can't sleep. \n  \n  \nIt's worth saying that I am 41, and have a regular 28 day cycle (with regular ovulation).  I have been tested and have 'normal hormonal levels'. \n  \nI am clearly sensitive to androgen as my skin improves when I take anti, or low-androgen combined pills, esp. Dianette (Diane) and Zoely.  My mood/anxiety/depression also improves when I take the combined pill.  My skin and mood gets much worse when I take a pill that has no oestrogen in it. \n  \nAll of this seems to suggest to me that oestrogen and lowered androgens are my friends when it comes to my skin?  And progesterone is not my friend?! \n  \nI can't take the combined pill currently due to high blood pressure.  Spiro literally makes me vomit.  So I am trialing saw palmetto capsules and spearmint tea in an effort to lower androgen levels.  However I am a bit concerned that some online articles says saw palmetto lowers oestrogen (?), as I'm not sure that's going to be beneficial to me.  I have also been very irritable since starting it, but that may be coincidence.  (I'm also taking inositol, omega 3, b vitamins, zinc, chromium and drinking green tea - but that's not specifically for acne, and not in excessive levels) \n  \nDoes anyone have any thoughts?    Many thanks  \n"
<https://www.acne.org/forums/topic/343456-oestrogen-testosterone-progesterone-questions-and-saw-palmetto/>