Every woman knows that some breakouts are related to her menstrual cycle. Androgen hormones (a form of testosterone) prompt excess oil production that, when combined with skin-cell buildup, leads to clogged pores and subsequent inflammation and pimples. Because treatments such as birth control pills regulate hormone levels, some are effective (and FDA-approved) for treating acne.
Hormonal acne can also be caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, which often goes undiagnosed. The condition can range from mild to severe, but typically, those with PCOS are overweight, with acne along the jawline and some facial hair.
Once properly diagnosed, hormonal acne therapies, such as certain birth control pills, are usually successful.
