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.

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Research cited in this study

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