Acne & Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Acne is a common symptom and side effect of polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. PCOS is a condition affecting anywhere from 3 to 10 percent of women, according to DermNet NZ. The ovaries overproduce androgynous hormones, such as testosterone. Along with hormonal symptoms including hirsutism (male-pattern hair growth), irregular menstrual periods and cystic ovaries, PCOS also causes very oily skin and acne among many patients.

Causes of Acne in PCOS Patients

• Because acne is a skin disorder that involves hormone interactions, irregularities or surges in some hormones can manifest themselves through inflammation of the skin. Like teenagers whose bodies are adjusting to new levels of hormones, PCOS patients can develop acne as a reaction to excessive hormone secretion, namely dihydrotestosterone, or DHT.

  DHT stimulates oil production in the skin, which can clog pores, according to ovarian-cysts-pcos.com. Once a pore is clogged, further secreted oil builds up and develops bacteria, which then causes inflammation in the form of pimples.

Insulin Resistance and Acne

• Patients with PCOS experience the common symptom of insulin resistance, meaning that their body fails to absorb insulin correctly, thus elevating the insulin in the blood. These elevated levels of insulin then trigger the production of androgynous hormones, namely DHT.

  Since insulin resistance, on its own, can cause acne, it is no surprise that patients with PCOS, who generally demonstrate symptoms of insulin resistance, experience the same problems with acne.

Oral Treatments

• Oral treatments for PCOS and acne are commonly used.

  While the market is filled with oral and topical treatments for acne and other skin problems, treating acne as a symptom of PCOS means treating the syndrome itself. This can often be done with a combination of medications targeting both hormonal levels as well as insulin levels.

  Often, symptoms of PCOS are treated using a diabetic medication, such as Metformin. This medication helps to regulate the levels of insulin within the body. When correct insulin levels are reached, the body is more apt to secrete only the necessary levels of hormones, thus improving the symptom of acne.

  Hormonal treatments are often used to treat acne and PCOS. Spironalactone, previously prescribed to lower blood pressure, also helps regulate hormone secretion in women. Additionally, birth control pills are often used to supply necessary hormones.

  In more severe cases, antibiotics can be prescribed to kill the bacteria clogging pores.

Topical Treatments

• Topical treatments can be effective.

  Topical treatments for acne and PCOS are common and effective. Isotretinoin, commonly known as Retin-A, unclogs the acne follicles responsible for pimples and inflammation. Retin-A must be prescribed by a doctor.

  Over-the-counter treatments are available as well. Creams containing benzoyl peroxide and sulfur can improve acne in PCOS patients.

Diagnosing Acne and PCOS

• In order to discover whether a patient's acne is a symptom of PCOS, a doctor can perform several blood tests. These serve to gauge the hormonal levels of a patient as well as check the activity of glucose and insulin within the blood. Familial history of insulin resistance and diabetes is a strong indicator of PCOS.

  Once diagnosed, a physician can then recommend treatment for both PCOS and acne.