TLDR Many women with hard-to-treat acne also have PCOS.
The study, conducted 13 years ago, assessed the frequency of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in 123 female patients with resistant acne vulgaris compared to 123 age-matched controls without acne. It found that 51.2% of the patients with resistant acne had PCOS, a significantly higher rate than the 6.2% observed in the control group. The study revealed that menstrual disturbances, premenstrual acne flare-ups, hirsutism, obesity, and a family history of resistant acne were more common in patients with PCOS. Notably, 82.5% of the acne patients with PCOS had hirsutism, and 28.6% had androgenetic alopecia, compared to 6.6% and 10%, respectively, in those without PCOS. Additionally, 50% of the PCOS patients with acne experienced infertility, and there were significant elevations in total testosterone levels and the LH/FSH ratio. The study concluded that these features should be considered when diagnosing PCOS in females with treatment-resistant acne.
989 citations,
August 2007 in “The Lancet” PCOS is a complex condition with major health impacts, needing more research for better diagnosis and treatment.
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4025 citations,
December 2003 in “Human Reproduction” The 2003 consensus updated PCOS diagnosis criteria and linked PCOS to higher risks of diabetes and heart problems, recommending lifestyle changes to lower these risks.
32 citations,
November 1996 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Antiandrogens can help treat skin conditions like acne and excessive hair in women when used carefully.
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14 citations,
October 2019 in “International Journal of Women's Health” Menopausal acne is treated with medications and lifestyle changes, but careful choice is needed due to side effects.
97 citations,
July 2006 in “Dermatologic therapy” The document concludes that accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment are important for skin problems in women with PCOS.
January 2019 in “Springer eBooks” Acne is linked to inflammation and insulin resistance, and is associated with various syndromes that require different treatments.
24 citations,
January 2013 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology” Hormonal treatment is effective for women with acne not helped by usual treatments, especially if they have hormonal imbalances.
5 citations,
January 2014 in “Current Dermatology Reports” Many adult women suffer from persistent or late-onset acne, and while various treatments exist, finding the right one can be challenging.
