Acne is a common skin condition, and most teenagers suffer from at least a few pimples as they go through the hormonal changes of puberty. Some women, however, continue to suffer from acne even after puberty. In these women, high levels of hormones known as androgens may be to blame.
Significance
Androgens are hormones that cause male characteristics, such as hair growth on the face. For example, testosterone is an androgen. Everyone, both male and female, produces androgen hormones. According to the Cleveland Clinic, increases in androgen levels produce acne in the teenage years because androgens stimulate the skin's sebaceous glands, which produce the skin oil, sebum. Too much sebum leads to clogged pores, whiteheads and pimples.
Other Causes of Acne
Androgens are not the only cause of acne. Overgrowth of bacteria that normally lives on the skin also can contribute to the problem, leading to pimples and inflammation, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Acne commonly appears on the face, chest, shoulders and back, all of which have many oil glands below the skin's surface.
Androgens in Women
Androgens can continue to cause acne breakouts in women beyond the teen years. In some cases, women with persistent acne suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is characterized by irregular or absent menstrual cycles, cysts in the ovaries, male-pattern hair growth, obesity and acne. Women with PCOS have abnormally high levels of circulating androgens. However, women don't necessarily have PCOS if they have high levels of acne-causing androgens, according to a 2002 report in the journal "Skin & Aging." And, women with normal androgen levels may have oil glands that are especially sensitive to androgen stimulation.
Effects
Luckily, women with androgen-driven acne have many treatment options, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Dermatologists most often will start treatment of a moderate to severe case of acne with prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide and topical forms of retinoids, which are synthetic versions of vitamin A. Dermatologists might also prescribe antibiotics to fight the bacterial infection.
Considerations
In the case of particularly stubborn acne, dermatologists have one more option: oral contraceptives, according to the AAD. Birth control pills curb acne by rebalancing hormones, lowering androgen levels and raising estrogen levels. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration has specifically approved two brands of oral contraceptives, Estrostep and Ortho Tri-Cyclen, to treat acne. However, the AAD recommends that acne patients try other acne treatments first before asking for birth control pills, due to the potential serious side effects of oral contraceptives.
