Is acne a key skin feature in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)?

The reason acne is a warning sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is because the hair follicle also has a sebaceous gland associated with it. Sebum (the semi-fluid that sebaceous glands excrete) can block the sweat glands, and bacteria can enter into the sweat glands and cause acne. That can occur faster than the growth of a hair follicle, which tends to have a turnover rate on the face of about four months. So acne can be a prodromal (early) feature of PCOS. The problem is that there’s no uniform way of measuring it. Therefore, doctors will combine acne as a symptom with other laboratory data to determine whether it may be related to PCOS.

Acne can be a warning sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common hormonal condition in women of childbearing age. PCOS alters a woman's hormones, menstrual cycle and fertility. Symptoms include missed or irregular periods, small cysts in the ovaries, male-pattern baldness and increased hair growth on the face and body. PCOS also causes an increased production of insulin in a woman's body. Extra insulin increases androgen, a steroid hormone in the body. Hormonal changes make women more sensitive to an increase in androgen and that can lead to acne. Talk to a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in treating skin, nail and hair conditions) about how to treat acne that's a symptom of PCOS.

Yes, there are 3 ways PCOS shows up on the skin: acne, excess facial and body hair, and thinning scalp hair. All three are caused by high levels of androgen hormones, such as testosterone. Teenage girls and women may suffer from PCOS, a condition that can be diagnosed by a pediatrician, internist, endocrinologist, gynecologist, or dermatologist. It makes sense to be tested for PCOS and other causes of abnormal hormones if you have 2 or more of these symptoms: acne, excess hair on your face or body, thin scalp hair, irregular menstrual periods, a deepening voice, or excess weight around your middle.