TLDR Hormone therapies like birth control pills and spironolactone are safe and effective for treating women's adult acne.
The 2017 review analyzed hormone-based therapies for adult acne vulgaris in women, particularly focusing on combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and spironolactone. It found that COCs and spironolactone are effective and safe treatments for acne, provided that patients undergo proper clinical screenings and risk assessments. COCs were shown to significantly reduce acne lesions and offer protection against endometrial and ovarian cancer, but they also increased the risk of venous thromboembolism by threefold and had conflicting data regarding breast cancer risk. Spironolactone was effective and well-tolerated, serving as an alternative treatment, especially for severe or recalcitrant acne. The review included 36 studies but did not specify the total number of participants. It emphasized the importance of individual patient histories in treatment decisions and noted the psychological impact of acne. Other treatments like flutamide and metformin were also mentioned, with flutamide being used cautiously due to hepatotoxicity and metformin recognized for its potential in patients with PCOS. The review concluded that hormone therapy is a safe and effective option for women with adult acne, with no significant differences in effectiveness between various COC formulations.
53 citations,
December 2015 in “JAMA Dermatology” Women with PCOS often have more body hair, acne, and skin darkening, and these signs are linked to metabolic issues like insulin resistance and high cholesterol.
1514 citations,
December 2011 in “Fertility and sterility” Experts agree that PCOS affects women's health in complex ways, but more research is needed to understand and treat it effectively.
76 citations,
November 2009 in “Medical Clinics of North America” Hormones, especially androgens, play a key role in acne, which can be a symptom of systemic diseases like PCOS and may require targeted treatment.
42 citations,
May 2009 in “Contraception” The oral contraceptive with ethinyl estradiol and chlormadinone acetate is effective in treating moderate 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.
31 citations,
January 2008 in “Gynecological endocrinology” Both birth control pills improved hormone levels and skin conditions in women with hyperandrogenism, but the one with drospirenone was more effective.
74 citations,
April 2002 in “PubMed” Both oral contraceptives reduced acne effectively and had similar positive effects on skin oiliness and hair growth.
January 2018 in “Springer eBooks” The document says that early treatment of Acne Vulgaris is important to prevent scarring and that adult onset acne is common in women, often due to hormonal imbalances.
10 citations,
January 2017 in “Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy” The conclusion is that more research is needed to better understand and treat adult acne, and that patient education and simple treatment plans are important for better results.
1 citations,
October 2010 in “Cambridge University Press eBooks” Hormonal therapies are effective for managing hair and skin symptoms in women with PCOS.
8 citations,
August 2020 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” Spironolactone is a low-cost, effective, and generally safe treatment for various skin conditions related to hormones.
1 citations,
February 2024 in “Cosmetics” Cannabidiol shows promise as an effective treatment for acne.
