Acne (acne) is a chronic inflammation of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. An underlying hormonal disorder such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can be detected in patients with recurrent and treatment-resistant acne complaints starting after the twenties. Although this rate increases in patients with a family history of Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance, PCOS is observed in 5-10% of women. As a result of the increased activity of androgens, the development and aggravation of acne is triggered as a result of excessive secretion of oil from the sebaceous glands in the skin.
In patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, various degrees of hair growth, menstrual irregularity, and weight problems may accompany acne. Hair growth (hirsutism) is the growth and increase of black hair in areas such as the chin, belly, nipples, waist area in women.
Patients with persistent acne problems and accompanied by menstrual irregularity and/or hair growth should be examined and then investigated for PCOS with ovarian ultrasound and hormonal blood tests. Appropriate treatment is chosen according to the presence of the patient’s underlying hormonal pathology, clinical acne severity and age of the patient, and the response to previous treatments. If deemed appropriate, hormonal treatments can be added to acne treatment to increase the effectiveness of the treatment.
