Effects of Hyperandrogenism and High Body Mass Index on Acne Severity in Women

August 2014 in “ PubMed ”

Sevil Alan, Erol Çenesizoğlu

hyperandrogenism body mass index acne vulgaris hirsutism menstrual irregularity androgenetic alopecia seborrhea polycystic ovary free testosterone total testosterone dehydroepiandrosteron sulfate prolactin BMI PCOS DHEA-S

TLDR Women with acne often have higher levels of male hormones and are more likely to be overweight, both of which can make acne worse.

The study conducted 9 years ago involved 141 women with acne vulgaris and 73 healthy women, aiming to determine the association between hyperandrogenism, obesity, and acne severity. The results showed a higher prevalence of overweight and obese individuals in the acne group compared to the control group. There was a positive correlation between body mass index (BMI) and acne severity. The acne group also had significantly higher instances of hirsutism, menstrual irregularity, androgenetic alopecia, seborrhea, and polycystic ovary. The average levels of free testosterone (fT), total testosterone (TT), dehydroepiandrosteron sulfate, and prolactin were significantly higher in the acne groups. A positive correlation was found between fT and TT levels and acne severity. The study concluded that hyperandrogenism and obesity were more prevalent in women with acne, and circulating androgen levels and BMI played a key role in acne severity.

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