Human body produces a number of substances that sustain and regulate its functions. One type of such substances is hormones that play diverse roles. For instance, sex hormones fist of all affect the growth and functioning of genital organs. Moreover, they influence other organs as well as tissues, such as sebaceous glands and hair follicles.

There exist male and female sex hormones, which are produced in human bodies in certain proportions depending on the sex. This means that male hormones (androgens) naturally exist in female bodies too.

HOW DO MALE HORMONES INFLUENCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACNE?

The Impact of Androgens on Sebaceous Glands:

Male hormones stimulate the production of oil secretion. Sebaceous glands sensitively react to the androgens. As soon as more androgens are produced, more sebum is produced too. Male hormones also influence quick growth of corneal cells and their accumulation in the canals of sebaceous glands. Thus, the corneal plug is formed, blocking the heavily produced sebaceous gland secretion from escape.

The increase of oil production and emergence of cell ossification process disorder lead to favorable conditions for the appearance of non-inflammatory open and closed blackheads (comedones). The influence of other factors (such as, for instance the bacterial infection of sebaceous gland secretion or general inflammatory reactions) lead to inflammatory acne lesions, e.g. papules and pustules.

The Effect of Androgens on Hair Follicles:

Male hormones also affect hair follicles. Male sex hormones are the reason for a characteristic amount of hair on men bodies. In certain conditions the face, bikini zone and other body parts of women may resemble in their hairiness the ones of men; this phenomena is called hirsutism.

The production of male hormones in female organism is very individual and diverse in women. Some women have more, while the others produce less androgens. This can also be observed and determined from the skin structure. However, the most usual cause for the development of acne is sebaceous gland and hair follicles oversensitivity towards androgens or hormonal changes.

How do Female Hormones Affect Skin?

Estrogen and progesterone are among those female hormones that are produced in the organism. Both of these hormones are primarily responsible for regulating woman’s menstrual cycle. They also perform a number of other functions, including their impact on skin too.

It is considered that both natural and synthetic estrogens work against male sex hormones. Thus, they impact the decrease in the amount of free androgens circulating in blood. Consequently, the growth of sebaceous glands as well as oil production is decreased too. Moreover, female hormones stabilize menstrual cycle and decrease its fluctuations.

Gestogens, such as natural progesterone, are reckoned among other female sex hormones. They affect the menstrual cycle in many ways. Gestogen in quite large amounts blocks the ovum from bursting and changes the viscosity of uterine cervix. These important characteristics of gestogens make them being used for preventing unwanted pregnancy.

However, gestogens produced synthetically in laboratories can be different in their effect towards skin. Therefore, they are separated into the groups with anti-androgenic and androgenic effect. The gestogens prescribed for the cure of acne possess anti-androgenic features. They suppress effect of the male sex hormones on sebaceous glands which causes acne.

Hormones for the Treatment of Acne

Female hormones reduce the excessive production of oil that causes acne. Therefore, there exist contraceptive pills that are created and produced in order to treat acne and light forms of hirsutism. They contain estrogens and gestogens.

Women have to refer to their dermatologist or gynecologist with these kinds of questions, especially if they also need protection from unwanted pregnancy at the same time.