The effect of the menstrual cycle on acne

Acne is a common disease, vith an underlying hormonal basis; however, there has never been a study to determine the ways in which the different stages of the menstrual cycle affect acne in women. Four hundred female Participa nts, aged 12 to 52 years, were questioned whether their acne got worse befo re, during, or after their menstrual period and also asked whether it was u nrelated to the menstrual period, Their age, severity of acne, ethnicity, a nd oral contraceptive use were also recorded. Overall 177 of 400 (44%) of t hose interviewed experienced premenstrual flares of their acne. Severity of acne, ethnicity, and oral contraceptive use did not affect the premenstrua l flare rate. Women older than 33 years had a higher rate of premenstrual f lares relative to women aged 20 to 33 years (P =.03 by chi (2) analysis). W e concluded that almost half of all women experience premenstrual flares of their acne. Premenstrual flares may be more common in older women.