06-14-12, 07:44 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 402
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Acne and sexual activity
Hmm.. how this could be classified - is it a male thing or a me thing? Masturbation only or sexual activity in general?
I've noticed acne breakouts directly after periods of masturbation; the more there is, the worse it gets. Often cystic in my case, so I abstain from such release and it clears up... Acne these days usually results in scarring, so I'm staying the hell away. No idea what else to do.
Anyone here notice a causal effect between sexual activity and acne? If it's hormonal, I can't put a finger on what triggers it. Prolactin? I'm sure it's not high testosterone based on prior experience (take my word here), however maybe a drop or imbalance in levels? Lowered immunity and recovery?
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06-14-12, 07:47 PM
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#2
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New Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 41
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This might help-
"Oddly enough, acne and sexual intercourse are related, though not in a way that most would expect. Sexual activity doesn't cause acne and acne doesn't cause sexual activity. The process that links sex and acne actually begins with the sex drive, which is affected by androgens, particularly testosterone.While masturbation and sexual intercourse do not cause acne, increased levels of androgens, which do cause acne, may also heighten the sex drive. The increased levels of androgens accounts for the connection between acne and sex.
Androgens are partially responsible for an increase in the production of oil (called sebum) by the sebaceous glands in the skin. In the presence of bacteria called P. acnes, this additional sebum leads to acne. Here's how it happens: Sebum brings cells to the surface of the skin where they are sloughed off. When there is excess oil, the opening of the oil gland (called a duct) is clogged. Excess oil and old cells plugging the duct are called acomedo. When the plug stays just below the surface of the skin it is light in color -- a whitehead. When the plug enlarges, its dark tip forms a blackhead. Contrary to popular belief, this dark coloring is not caused by dirt, but by a buildup of melanin, the pigment in the skin. Bacteria may also form in the clogged pores to cause red inflamed pimples." - Acne Myths
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06-14-12, 07:51 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 721
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Could be dietary!
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06-14-12, 08:50 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 402
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Great advice, guys. :)
Diet and allergies have been a concern off and on, but I haven't noticed anything significant from avoiding dairy, wheat, nuts for days at a time.. Granted, I haven't gone for a food allergy test, only respiratory. My overall diet has been consistently crappy and "westernized".
Would only think that other allergies or systemic inflammation plays a large role if my immune system is weakened from sexual activity.. This being due to the precise timing of breakouts after masturbation.
I didn't consider the possibility of DHT being triggered by sexual activity, but the suggestion above about androgens prompted me to do a quick search where I found this related post (elsewhere):
Quote:
DHT is the hormone that's responsible for male pattern baldness and prostate cancer (although it has many other roles, like powering erections). It's converted, from testosterone, by the enzyme 5 alpha reductase.
I'm still not sure as to the connection between sex and DHT but, from what I've gathered, masturbation and sex (or even just intense sexual fantasizing) burns testosterone into DHT which is trapped, 'locally', in penile tissues. PC exercises do this as well. I could be wrong, this might be wishful thinking on my part, but I don't think that the DHT that is trapped by DHT receptors in penile tissue affects the prostate or the scalp. However, when men and women orgasm, prolactin is released into their blood stream and prolactin triggers the production of the enzyme 5 alpha reductase. This may be why so many people are convinced that there is a connection between masturbation/sex and acne and hair loss (this is promptly dismissed by most Western doctors but I think the possibility of there really being a connection is difficult for most people to accept).
The ancient Taoists advocated non-ejaculatory sex to prevent premature aging, low energy, hair loss etc., they believed semen was as valuable to men as blood is.
-an author named "Seeks_Knowledge"
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Even though I knew of an effect of DHT on skin and hair health, and have used Nizoral shampoo to inhibit these negative effects, I didn't directly connect the idea of DHT release with sex. Nizoral doesn't seem to be strong enough to prevent breakouts or clear cystic acne, but a stronger (likely oral) 5AR inhibitor may do the trick. Or perhaps some natural source or food that limits the testosterone-DHT conversion would be good.
I actually have Avodart on hand, so I could run a test on this. There aren't any confounding factors or medications being taken, so it should be clear..
Why should any of us have to take drugs for good skin health!! I've taken accutane years ago, and am sure many here can attest to how that stuff is.
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06-16-12, 04:42 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 402
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Still haven't found specifics on how DHT production is influenced by sexual activity; only that the prolactin increase apparently only interferes with, or reduces, 5AR activity.
The studies that are out there do not seem particularly holistic or relevant to the natural processes surrounding sexual activity and hormonal cascades.. or even refractory periods.
Quote:
A number of experimental data indicate that hyperprolactinemia inhibits the activity of 5-alpha-reductase; however, no information is available about the time required for this enzyme to re-activate after prolactinemia has returned to normal values. In the present study, five normal caucasian men, whose fertility had previously been proven, were given HCG (5000 IU/day by intramuscular route for three days) both in basal conditions and after sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia (dosage = 200 mg/day for ten days). In both conditions, the plasma levels of prolactin (PRL), testosterone (T), dihydro-testosterone (DHT), 17-beta-estradiol (E2), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS) were monitored during the treatment with HCG and for an additional 24 hrs after HCG discontinuation. All hormones were assayed by RIA. Our results demonstrate that hyperprolactinemia causes a marked decrease (58%) of DHT, a less marked decrease (39%) of T, an increase (43%) of DHAS whereas only a small increase (2%) of E2 was observed. Steroids were shown to behave differently after the HCG tests performed in the two experimental conditions. In particular, the levels of DHT had a much more pronounced increased after HCG in the second test than in the first; in contrast, both DHAS and E2 had a less marked response after the second test. Our data, on the one hand, confirm that 5-alpha-reductase is inhibited by hyperprolactinemia; on the other hand, the hyperprolactinemia-induced block of this enzyme appears to be rapidly reversible because the enzyme is reactivated within 48-72 hrs after normalization of prolactin levels. (Normal values of prolactin were on the average achieved on the 4th day after sulpiride discontinuation).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
PMID: 2943108
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Lots of people are equating sexual activity to acne and hair loss online, so I started taking Avodart, just to see. Wouldn't recommend this, as the side effects can apparently be serious, especially in times like puberty.
Feeling better, if anything, like a more "glowing" feeling. May know something by next week.
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