Itchy Scalp Right Before Period Begins

[Ellethwyn]

Does anyone else have this happen? Do you know why it happens? I've noticed for a couple years now, that right before my menstrual cycle begins I get an itchy head and sometimes itchy bumps. Is it an oil build up maybe due to hormones?

[brickworld13]

I get acne everywhere including on my scalp. It's definitely connected to the hormonal swings of having a uterus. Yay. -__-

[turtlelover]

That time of month, a lot of women produce more oil. More oil = SD flare/itching. Try a harsher shampoo used more often at that point in the month.

[lapushka]

I've never noticed I produce more oil during that time; odd. I get dryer in my face, though. A little; but that's it. Suppose hormones manifest themselves differently depending on the person.

[TR]

I get acne everywhere including on my scalp. It's definitely connected to the hormonal swings of having a uterus. Yay. -__-

Yep, same here.

[Ingrid]

The hormone balance at and after ovulation changes. Excess estrogen produced during that phase raises glycogen levels, which is a sugar that certain bacteria and yeasts naturally present in the body feed on. That's why many women experience yeast-type symptoms at ovulation which continue until menstruation and then disappear as the hormonal balance changes. Acne is not typically tied to oil blocking pores unless you've directly applied a comedogenic oil to your skin. Most acne is caused by inflammation in the body, whether hormonal or dietary.

I used to get acne on my scalp and also sometimes on my chin. I find when I take probiotics my skin improves.

[Ellethwyn]

Ohhhh thanks! I think I am getting acne on my scalp... I do get it on my chin right before my period. I've wondered if I should be using soap on my face during this time, normally i only wash with water.

[Ingrid]

I can't use soap on my skin... unless it's really additive-free, which is often hard to find so I usually just wash with water unless I've really got dirt all over my face I don't think using soap will solve the acne popping up but it might dry each pimple out a little so they might shrink and go away faster?

[brickworld13]

Actually, drying out the acne may make it worse. The stuff on my arms goes away with oatmeal lotion. The stuff on my face however goes away with a decent amount of time in the sun. Do try the soap if you feel you must but it could make it worse.

[Ingrid]

That's true too, brickworld13. Dry skin is more vulnerable which makes it more open to infection, so it's hard to say whether it'll help to use soap... Damn acne!