If you feel hormones are a trigger for you then the first step is to identify if you have a
hormone imbalance, identifying which hormones, and then addressing them.
If an imbalance has been identified therapies can be directed at correcting abnormal hormone levels or blocking hormone receptors to reduce their actions. Examples include careful selection of birth control agents, spironolactone, cyproterone acetate, finasteride, or dutasteride.
It is ill advised to go on birth control, IUD or hormone therapy blindly to manage HS without first identifying if and where an imbalance lies. You actually risk causing a hormone imbalance without properly addressing this issue, which could potentially advance the severity of your HS, especially if hormones were not a trigger for you in the first place. Low estrogen during your menstrual cycle could also be an issue, which could be confirmed by having your levels checked. If this proves to be an issue you can discuss estrogen hormone therapy during your menstrual cycle on an as needed basis. If the physician is not willing to prescribe on an as needed basis and requires daily medication, make sure you are taking the lowest dose of estrogen and have your levels checked on a regular basis. If they are not willing to prescribe as needed, make sure you are giving the lowest dose of estrogen and having your levels checked on a regular basis.
The human body secretes and circulates some 50 different hormones and below is a list of the key hormones that should be checked for this disease, which can then be discussed with your physician:
Thymus
Thyroid
Adrenal
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S)
Estrogen
Free and total Testosterone
Androgen
Androstenedione
Luteinizing
Progesterone
Cortisol
Glucagon
Follicle-stimulating hormone
Men and Women:
You may also want to have the function of your pituitary gland (master gland) checked.
This is an awareness article for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider.
Written by Denise Panter-Fixsen
Edited by Brindley Kons