Does Masturbation/Sex Cause Acne in men? While frequenting various different online acne support groups, I couldn’t help but notice the numerous accounts of people (mostly male) stating the connection between masturbation, sex and acne. So many are claiming that their acne flare-ups are occurring after masturbation/sex, and that abstinence is delaying the symptoms from appearing. It’s easy to dismiss one or two people, but when such a la rge percentage rge percentage of people are swearing that this is the case c ase for them, it becomes difficult to ignore. Does masturbation and sex really contribute to the acne problem in men? I set out to research this topic and was surprisingly unable find any scientifically conducted studies that e ven looked into this phenomenon. And additionally, found very little generic scientific literature. Of the literature that I did find, most of the attempts to discredit the link between masturbation and acne appear to hold no scientific merit other than the preconceived bias of budding scientists. acne link , it is impossible to Without conducting studies into the potential masturbation – acne reach a scientifically sound conclusion; and as such no one can have adequate basis to speak authoritatively about this topic one way or the other, not even the dermatologists .
Regardless of the lack of scientific scientif ic literature, I theorize why those who report this connection may do so, by investigating documented studies into hormonal changes after sex/masturbation in relation to any acne link, and secondly by evaluating the loss of semen and its nutritional value in connection to acne.
Hormonal Changes after Sex/Masturbation Studies documenting endocrine fluctuations before and after ejaculation reveal a marked Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), prolactin, 5-alpha-reductase and in increase in the levels of Dihydrotestosterone some studies, an increase in testosterone levels (though the ejaculation – ejaculation – testosterone testosterone link appears shaky). Heightened levels of DHT have long shown association with formation of acne and male pattern baldness, it’s no coincidence that these two symptoms often go hand-in-hand. hand-in-hand. DHT has been demonstrated to be significantly elevated in those with moderate to severe acne. Prolactin directly increases the levels of 5 – Alpha Alpha – reductase, reductase, an enzyme responsible for the conversion of testosterone into DHT.
Nutritional Value of Male Semen In clinical studies conducted into the nutritional value of male semen, it was found that there is relatively little nutritional nutriti onal content. However, 3% of male semen is comprised of zinc, and zinc deficiency has been demonstrated in studies t o promote the formation of acne, and to also reduce acne formation in subjects who took zinc sulphate supplements.
Zinc has additionally been shown to decrease the levels of prolactin in your system; therefore a lack of zinc in the body could allow the levels of 5-alpha-reductase to spike and consequently further increase the DHT levels that can aggravate an acne condition.
Does Masturbation/Sex really Cause Acne? Based on these studies, the rise of prolactin, DHT levels, and zinc deficiency, it certainly seems plausible that ejaculation could aggravate an acne condition. Given that so many people are reporting this connection, it seems likely that there is a link, however I believe that further studies need to be conducted to show conclusively if there is a direct link. Furthermore it needs to be established whether it is only certain people (perhaps with already heightened levels of hormones) who are more at ris k of the ejaculation – acne acne link.
Final thoughts There are many possible factors that could be contr ibuting to your acne condition; for example the diet – – acne acne link (now shown to be grounded in real science), yet stil l denied by many dermatologists even to this day. Dermatologists make their living by treating the symptoms of an acne problem with pills and topical creams, rather than addressing the potential root cause . It’s in their best interests to perpetuate falsities, although for some it could just be plain ignorance. I believe believe that if you really want to cure acne, experimenting with every possible aggravator to find out what is causing it, despite the advice certain dermatologists may give you to the contrary, is the best choice! Kind Wishes Andrew Jenkins @ AlertMedical.org Elevated free testosterone concentration in men and women with acne vulgaris http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.13652230.1986.tb00458.x/abstract?deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=&userIsAuthenticated=fals e Endocrine interaction between zinc and prolactin http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8562282 Prolactin involvement in regulation of testicular 5 alpha-reductase activity http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4052527 Elevated free testosterone concentration in men and women with acne vulgaris http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.13652230.1986.tb00458.x/abstract?deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=&userIsAuthenticated=fals e Human Skin: An Independent Peripheral Endocrine Organ - http://www.klinikumdessau.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Hautklinik/PDF-Files/110_hormres.pdf
Oral zinc sulphate therapy in acne vulgaris - http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/6163281 Role of hormones in acne vulgaris - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21763298 Coitus-induced orgasm stimulates prolactin secretion in healthy subjects http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11166491 Orgasm-induced prolactin secretion - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11835982 Serum Prolactin Levels in Acne Patients - http://journals.mui.ac.ir/jrms/article/view/3245 Serum Prolactin Levels in Acne Patients - http://journals.mui.ac.ir/jrms/article/view/3245 The Relationship of Diet and Acne – Acne – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2836431/ Rawfood & Diet – Diet – http://books.google.co.uk/books?isbn=0979906121 http://books.google.co.uk/books?isbn=0979906121
