Hormonal Therapy for Acne

September 2008 in “ Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery ”

Rosalyn George, Shari Clarke, Diane Thiboutot

hormonal therapy acne oral contraceptives antiandrogens spironolactone cyproterone acetate flutamide drospirenone androgen levels hepatotoxicity Yasmin Yaz

TLDR Hormonal treatments, including birth control and antiandrogens, can effectively treat acne in women.

The document from 2008 examines the role of hormonal therapy in treating acne, particularly in women who do not respond to standard treatments. It notes that acne is influenced by hormonal factors and that hormonal treatments like oral contraceptives and antiandrogens can be effective. Spironolactone was highlighted for its success in improving acne in 50-100% of treated women, with a study of 85 women showing varied levels of improvement and manageable side effects. Cyproterone acetate and flutamide were also discussed as effective antiandrogens, though with potential side effects such as hepatotoxicity. Oral contraceptives, especially those containing drospirenone like Yasmin® and Yaz®, were effective in treating acne by lowering androgen levels, with Yaz® being FDA-approved for this purpose based on clinical trials. The document emphasizes the importance of patient selection and monitoring for side effects when using hormonal therapies for acne.

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Research cited in this study

12 / 12 results

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research Update and Future of Systemic Acne Treatment

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research Update and Future of Hormonal Therapy in Acne

78 citations, January 2003 in “Dermatology”

Hormonal therapy is becoming a promising treatment for acne.

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The enzyme 17β-HSD type 2 mainly performs oxidation in human sebaceous glands, which may help protect against acne.

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The human sebocyte culture model has improved understanding of oily skin and acne, and how they can be treated.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Flutamide Alone and Combined with an Oral Contraceptive for the Treatment of Idiopathic Hirsutism

research Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Flutamide Alone and Combined with an Oral Contraceptive for the Treatment of Idiopathic Hirsutism

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Low-dose flutamide helps reduce excessive hair growth and is even more effective with birth control, without bad effects on blood fats.

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Androgens Affect the Activity of Human Sebocytes in Culture Depending on the Localization of the Sebaceous Glands, and Their Effect Is Antagonized by Spironolactone

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research Hormonal Therapy for Acne

96 citations, September 2008 in “Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery”

Hormonal treatments, including birth control and antiandrogens, can effectively treat acne in women.

research Update and Future of Hormonal Therapy in Acne

78 citations, January 2003 in “Dermatology”

Hormonal therapy is becoming a promising treatment for acne.

research Other Antiandrogens: Alternative Treatments for Acne and Hirsutism

11 citations, January 1998 in “Dermatology”

Spironolactone works well for acne and hirsutism, isotretinoin is very effective for acne and may have antiandrogenic effects, and 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors should be considered antiandrogens.

Hormonal Therapy for Acne

Research cited in this study

research Hirsutism and Acne in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

research Update and Future of Systemic Acne Treatment

research Update and Future of Hormonal Therapy in Acne

research Acne

research A Model for the Turnover of Dihydrotestosterone in the Presence of the Irreversible 5α-Reductase Inhibitors GI198745 and Finasteride

research Oxidative Activity of the Type 2 Isozyme of 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Predominates in Human Sebaceous Glands

research The Human Sebocyte Culture Model Provides New Insights Into Development and Management of Seborrhoea and Acne

research Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Flutamide Alone and Combined with an Oral Contraceptive for the Treatment of Idiopathic Hirsutism

research Comparison of Flutamide and Spironolactone in the Treatment of Hirsutism: A Randomized Controlled Trial

research Androgens Affect the Activity of Human Sebocytes in Culture Depending on the Localization of the Sebaceous Glands, and Their Effect Is Antagonized by Spironolactone

research Treatment of Hirsutism with the Pure Antiandrogen Flutamide

research Oral Spironolactone Therapy for Female Patients with Acne, Hirsutism, or Androgenic Alopecia

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