Stretch marks are a skin condition that causes you to experience reddish-purplish lines on your skin. While stretch marks can fade over time to a silver or whitish appearance, once they are on your skin, they are a permanent fixture. One of the contributing factors for stretch marks is increased production of cortisol, a hormone commonly present in many medications or that can be overproduced in your body.
Significance
Cortisol is a hormone produced by your adrenal glands, which are located above your kidneys. Hormones are those that influence your body's system, and cortisol in particular affects your bones and circulatory, nervous and immune systems. If you produce excess amounts of cortisol in your body, you are more likely to experience stretch marks.
Cushing's Syndrome
One of the causes of stretch marks is related to Cushing's syndrome. This syndrome results when your body makes too much cortisol or you take too many corticosteroid medications for an extended time period. Increased incidence of stretch marks is a symptom of Cushing's syndrome, as is weight gain, thinning skin, slow healing or acne development. If you suspect you may be experiencing Cushing's syndrome, see your physician, who can perform testing to determine if you have an underlying condition.
Medications
Certain medications contain corticosteroids, of which cortisol is a component. For this reason, using medications such as corticosteroid creams, lotions and pills may contribute to stretch marks. Oral cortisol medications also can increase the likelihood that stretch marks will develop. Taking birth control pills or estrogen also can contribute to stretch marks. If you are concerned about developing stretch marks, talk to your physician about how you can minimize your risks or if other medications may be appropriate. Most physicians recommend using certain steroid medications for a short duration to reduce side effects of cortisol medications, including stretch marks.
Considerations
Having stretch marks does not mean you have an underlying medical condition such as Cushing's syndrome. Other causes of stretch marks include rapid weight gain, which causes your skin to stretch beyond its normal limits. In this instance, stretch marks are the body's natural scarring reaction. If you have a family history of stretch marks, you are more susceptible to developing stretch marks, particularly during a growth spurt.
