Acne Vulgaris Associated with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Acne is one of the major manifestations in patient with PCOS. Although acne is detected only in about 23-35% of patients with PCOS, some studies show a high prevalence of PCOS in acne patients. Acne has an overall prevalence in women of about 12%, tends to persist till menopause, and then declines with age.Hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance and hyperandrogenemia are some endocrine findings in adults with PCOS.Hyperandrogenism characterized clinically as Acne, Hirsutism, Androgenic alopecia and/or chronic anovulation in the absence of specific adrenal and/or pituitary disease. Clinically, diagnosed woman with PCOS has higher risk for infertility, dysfunctional bleeding, endometrial carcinoma, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and possibly cardiovascular disease. So to prevent risk factors associated with PCOS,it has to be diagnosed and treated earlier. Female with Acne are unaware that they may suffer from PCOS. So Acne patients coming to dermatologist must be diagnosed for PCOS,so that they can be treated at early stage and risk factors of PCOS can be prevented.