Premenstrual Acne

Abstract

A variety of distressing symptoms occur in many women just prior to menstruation. Nervousness and irritability (premenstrual tension) are often attributed to psychologic influences. Objective changes also occur, such as weight gain and breast enlargement. These are not so easily passed off as having an emotional origin. Similarly, premenstrual exacerbation of acne is a genuine phenomenon, experienced by at least one-third of patients. Some estimates range as high as 60%, a not improbable figure if one includes mild flares. Typically, the woman notices an increase in papulo-pustules about a week or so before menstruation. These spring up rapidly and like all other inflammatory lesions are mainly due to the rupture of invisible closed comedones (microcome-dones).