Clinical Markers of Androgenicity in Acne Vulgaris
December 1988
in “
British Journal of Dermatology
”
TLDR Acne severity in women may not be linked to increased male hormone indicators like excess body hair, menstrual irregularities, or hair loss.
In a 1988 study with 268 female participants aged 12-44, researchers found no significant correlation between acne severity and clinical markers of androgenicity, including hirsutism, menstrual irregularity, and androgenic alopecia. The study concluded that hyperandrogenemia might not be a necessary factor for the development of acne vulgaris in women, suggesting that other factors could be responsible for the condition. Despite potential biases such as non-participation and observer awareness, the findings indicated that most women with acne did not exhibit abnormalities in other androgen target organs.
