Is Hormonal Treatment Still an Option in Acne Today?

    Vincenzo Bettoli, Stefania Zauli, Annarosa Virgili
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    TLDR Hormonal treatments are effective as a second-line option for moderate-to-severe acne in females, but should be used with caution due to health risks.
    The document reviewed the use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) for acne treatment, finding them more effective than placebos with a 30-75% reduction in lesions and a 50-90% improvement in most cases. However, it noted only mild differences between COC types and inconclusive comparisons with antibiotics due to study biases. Safety concerns, especially the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), were discussed, emphasizing the need for cautious use of COCs considering individual health risks. Hormonal treatments were recommended as second-line options for moderate-to-severe acne in females unresponsive to first-line treatments, to be used alongside standard therapies. The document also mentioned alternative hormonal treatments for resistant cases but stressed the importance of individualized treatment choices and risk assessment.
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