Skin Manifestations of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

January 2001 in “ Cambridge University Press eBooks ”

Rodney Sinclair, Jack Green

polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS androgens hirsutism seborrhea androgenetic alopecia acne pilosebaceous unit hair follicles sebaceous glands acanthosis nigricans insulin resistance male hormones excessive hair growth oily skin female pattern baldness blackheads skin darkening

TLDR PCOS can cause excess hair growth, oily skin, hair loss, acne, and dark skin patches.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was associated with an excess of androgens, which could lead to various skin manifestations. These included hirsutism, seborrhea, and the exacerbation of androgenetic alopecia and acne. The pilosebaceous unit, comprising hair follicles and sebaceous glands, reacted to circulating androgens, influencing hair development and skin conditions. Additionally, acanthosis nigricans, a skin condition indicating insulin resistance, was also linked to PCOS.

View this study on cambridge.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

26 / 26 results

research Prevalence of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss in Maryborough

193 citations , August 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

Hair loss common in Australia; men affected earlier, more often than Asians; women less concerned.

research The Lack of Significant Changes in Scalp Hair Follicle Density With Advancing Age

33 citations , April 2005 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Aging alone barely affects the number of hair follicles, meaning hair loss is minimal without other conditions like androgenetic alopecia.

research Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss With Oral Antiandrogens

179 citations , March 2005 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Oral antiandrogens effectively treat female hair loss, with better results in higher hair loss grades.

research The Reliability of Horizontally Sectioned Scalp Biopsies in the Diagnosis of Chronic Diffuse Telogen Hair Loss in Women

137 citations , July 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Horizontally sectioned scalp biopsies are more reliable for diagnosing hair loss in women when three samples are taken instead of one.

research Women Who Present With Female Pattern Hair Loss Tend To Underestimate The Severity Of Their Hair Loss

29 citations , April 2004 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Women with female pattern hair loss often underestimate how severe it is.

research Identification of Androgen-Inducible TGF-β1 Derived from Dermal Papilla Cells as a Key Mediator in Androgenetic Alopecia

78 citations , June 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

TGF-β1 from dermal papilla cells suppresses hair growth, and targeting it may help treat androgenetic alopecia.

research Hair Loss in Women with Hyperandrogenism: Four Cases Responding to Finasteride

92 citations , October 2002 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride improves hair loss in women with hyperandrogenism.

research Finasteride for Female Androgenetic Alopecia

51 citations , October 2002 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Finasteride increases hair density in female androgenetic alopecia, but individual results may vary.

research Hirsuties

9 citations , March 2001 in “Clinics in dermatology”

Hirsutism in women is often due to hormone sensitivity and has significant psychological effects.

research Treatment of Hirsutism by Finasteride and Flutamide in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

38 citations , January 1997 in “Gynecological Endocrinology”

Finasteride and flutamide effectively reduce hirsutism in PCOS women, with flutamide also lowering hormone levels.

Outcome of Long-Term Treatment with the 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride in Idiopathic Hirsutism: Clinical and Hormonal Effects During a 1-Year Course of Therapy and 1-Year Follow-Up

research Outcome of Long-Term Treatment with the 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride in Idiopathic Hirsutism: Clinical and Hormonal Effects During a 1-Year Course of Therapy and 1-Year Follow-Up

75 citations , November 1996 in “Fertility and Sterility”

Finasteride effectively reduces hair growth in women with idiopathic hirsutism, but requires careful contraception during treatment.

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Hirsutism: New Therapeutic Perspectives

50 citations , July 1996 in “Fertility and Sterility”

Finasteride effectively treats hirsutism in women, but more research needed for long-term results.

A Prospective Study of the Prevalence of Clear-Cut Endocrine Disorders and Polycystic Ovaries in 350 Patients Presenting with Hirsutism or Androgenic Alopecia

research A Prospective Study of the Prevalence of Clear-Cut Endocrine Disorders and Polycystic Ovaries in 350 Patients Presenting with Hirsutism or Androgenic Alopecia

135 citations , August 1994 in “Clinical Endocrinology”

Most women with hirsutism or androgenic alopecia had polycystic ovaries, especially if they had irregular periods.

research Obesity and Female Androgenic Alopecia: A Cause and an Effect?

7 citations , June 1994 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Obesity may contribute to female hair loss by increasing male hormone levels that affect hair follicles.

research Female Androgenic Alopecia

6 citations , May 1994 in “Hair transplant forum international”

Women can also experience hair loss due to hormone changes.

research Androgenetic Alopecia in the Female

82 citations , March 1994 in “Archives of Dermatology”

2% topical minoxidil effectively treats female hair loss with minimal side effects.

research Cyproterone Acetate for Severe Hirsutism: Results of a Double-Blind Dose-Ranging Study

94 citations , July 1991 in “Clinical endocrinology”

Cyproterone acetate at 2mg daily is as effective as higher doses for treating excessive hair growth in women.

research Diseases of the Hair and Scalp

189 citations , May 1991 in “Medical Entomology and Zoology”

research Treatment of Hirsutism with the Pure Antiandrogen Flutamide

130 citations , September 1990 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Flutamide effectively reduced excessive hair growth and improved related symptoms in hirsutism patients without significant side effects.

research Hirsutism in Adolescent Females

13 citations , June 1989 in “Pediatric clinics of North America/The Pediatric clinics of North America”

The conclusion is that young women with excessive hair growth should be quickly tested for hormonal issues and treated to improve their social well-being.

research Patterned Androgenic Alopecia in Women

130 citations , May 1988 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

"Male-pattern" hair loss is common in women, especially after menopause, and doesn't always mean there's a problem with hormone balance.

research The Effect of an Oral Contraceptive Containing Ethinylestradiol and Desogestrel on Hair Growth and Hormonal Parameters of Hirsute Women

11 citations , October 1986 in “International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics”

The contraceptive reduced hair growth and altered hormone levels in hirsute women.

Female Androgenic Alopecia: The 3 Alpha, 17 Beta-Androstanediol Glucuronide/Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Ratio as a Possible Marker for Female Pattern Baldness

research Female Androgenic Alopecia: The 3 Alpha, 17 Beta-Androstanediol Glucuronide/Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Ratio as a Possible Marker for Female Pattern Baldness

13 citations , September 1986 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Women with more 3α,17β-androstanediol glucuronide compared to sex hormone binding globulin are more likely to have female pattern baldness.

research Female Androgenic Alopecia

14 citations , September 1986 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Women with low SHBG levels and a high 3a-diol G to SHBG ratio are likely to experience female pattern baldness, possibly due to a slight excess of androgens affecting sensitive hair bulbs.

research Low Sex-Hormone Binding Globulin Levels in Young Women with Diffuse Hair Loss

40 citations , March 1982 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Young women with diffuse hair loss may have low SHBG levels, which could lead to more active testosterone and contribute to their hair loss.

research Classification of the Types of Androgenetic Alopecia (Common Baldness) Occurring in the Female Sex

666 citations , September 1977 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Common baldness, also known as Androgenetic Alopecia, is caused by a combination of genetic factors and hormones called androgens.

Related Research

5 / 5 results

research Prevalence of Non-Scarring Alopecia Among Female Patients Complaining of Hirsutism

July 2022 in “المجلة العراقية للصيدلة”

Most women with excessive hair growth (hirsutism) also experience a common type of non-scarring hair loss called Androgenetic alopecia with telogen effluvium.

Dermatologic Manifestations in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Their Prevalence and Assessment in Relation to Hormonal and Metabolic Changes

research Dermatologic Manifestations in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Their Prevalence and Assessment in Relation to Hormonal and Metabolic Changes

November 2020 in “ALEXMED ePosters (Online)”

People with PCOS often have skin problems like excessive hair growth, hair loss, acne, and dark patches, which are linked to hormonal and metabolic imbalances.

Study of Cutaneous Manifestations of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome