Correlations Between Hormonal Intrauterine Devices and Androgenic Skin Conditions: A Retrospective Cohort Study
February 2022
in “
Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology
”
Studysummary This study found that hormonal IUD implantation was associated with an increased risk of acne vulgaris but a decreased risk of hirsutism, alopecia, and rosacea compared to nonhormonal copper IUDs. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
The study aimed to investigate the relationship between hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) and adverse dermatologic conditions. Hormonal IUDs, used by 10.4% of American women aged 15 to 49 years, use levonorgestrel to prevent pregnancy. Levonorgestrel is androgenic and may contribute to diseases and symptoms influenced by androgens. Previous studies have linked IUDs with new and worsening cases of acne vulgaris, but no specific risk of adverse dermatologic conditions has been established for levonorgestrel. This study aimed to further explore these associations.
