A study published in the British Journal of Dermatology, looked at a cohort of 17,000 women, recruited across 20 countries, and compared skin symptoms as well as the diagnosis of skin conditions between respondents with regular periods and those with irregular periods.

The prevalence of acne, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, and melasma increased by approximately 5% for women with irregular menses, whilst other skin symptoms like red reactive patches, thin skin, or flaky skin were also reported as higher by participants with irregular periods. Skin sensitivity was also higher in participants with irregular periods (57.6%, versus 47.6% in the cases of regular periods.)

Dr Carolyn Charman, Clinical Vice President of the British Association of Dermatologists said: “The exact role that hormones play in the development of common, inflammatory skin conditions remains unclear. This study suggests that hormonal imbalances, often indicated by irregular periods, may be linked to a higher prevalence of these conditions. More research is needed to further study the way hormones affect symptoms, prevalence, and flare-ups, and how this may be taken into account in terms of treatment options or management of symptoms.”

Participants were asked to complete a digital questionnaire, which asked them to describe the presence or absence of their menstruation over the past year, and the regularity or irregularity of them. In total, 17,009 participants with periods were included in the evaluation, with a mean age of 34.49 years. The study excluded participants who were menopausal, peri-menopausal with no period, post-partum, and those who did not wish to answer the entire questionnaire.

All participants were asked about the presence of acne, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis and melasma; in particular, if these were diagnosed by a doctor. Finally, participants were asked some questions about their perceptions of their skin: what type of skin they had, how sensitive they felt it was, whether it presented any markers related to skin disorders by the researchers (12 in total, including symptoms like flaky skin, thin skin, and loss of elasticity).

Overall, the results highlight that diagnosed skin disorders are significantly higher in participants with irregular periods.

The study authors pointed out that these results should prompt dermatologists and researchers to explore the complex interplays of hormonal factors in various skin disorders and self-reported conditions to offer new hormonal and topical approaches that would address this.

Dr Charbel Skayem, researcher and dermatologist at Paris University Hospitals, added: “By exploring hormonal and topical approaches, dermatologists may be able to offer a more tailored, effective management plan for patients with hormonally influenced dermatological conditions. These might include hormonal replacement therapy, anti-androgens, topical hormonal treatments, and targeted cosmeceuticals.”

About the skin conditions described in this study

Acne is a very common skin condition; most people will experience some form of acne during their lifetime. It is identified by the presence of blackheads and whiteheads (comedones) and pus-filled spots (pustules). It ranges from a few spots on the face, neck, back and chest, to a more severe problem with solid painful lumps under the skin. It may cause scarring. Acne usually starts during puberty, and usually clears away by the time people reach their twenties, although in some cases it can go on for longer.

More on how to manage your acne: https://www.skinhealthinfo.org.uk/condition/acne/

Rosacea is a common skin condition, mostly affecting the face. It predominantly affects fair-skinned individuals but may appear in any skin type, and it can start at any age from childhood onwards. It is a long-term condition, can persist for a long time and fluctuates from mild to severe. Rosacea appears as persistent redness caused by dilated blood vessels, small bumps, and pus-filled spots similar to acne. There may also be uncomfortable redness and irritation of the surface of the eyes and eyelids. Rosacea is classified into 4 subtypes that may overlap. Your doctor will advise you of the type you have.

More on how to manage your rosacea: https://www.skinhealthinfo.org.uk/condition/rosacea/

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common form of eczema that usually affects the scalp, although it can affect other body parts as well. It is slightly more common in men than in women, and occurs in babies, teenagers and in adults, often between the ages of 30 and 40. Dandruff, which is the common name for seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp, is very common affecting almost half of all adults, regardless of their age, ethnicity or gender.

More on how to manage your seborrheic dermatitis: https://www.skinhealthinfo.org.uk/condition/seborrhoeic-dermatitis/

Melasma is a common skin condition of adults in which brown or greyish patches of pigmentation (colour) develop, usually on the face. The exact cause is not known, but it is thought to be due to pigment-producing cells in the skin (melanocytes) producing too much pigment (melanin). Several factors can contribute to developing melasma, including pregnancy and using hormonal drugs such as birth control pills and hormone replacement. There is no present cure for melasma, although there are several options to improve the appearance of the skin patches.

More on melasma: https://www.skinhealthinfo.org.uk/condition/melasma/

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

For more information, please contact the media team: comms@bad.org.uk, 07769000415.

Study Details

Title of study

Global study of 17,009 women reveals significant skin condition changes associated with irregular menstrual cycles

Study Authors

Christos C Zouboulis,¹Claire Deloche,² Charbel Skayem,^3,4 Stéphanie Leclerc-Mercier,² Philippe Martel,⁵ Beatriz Sant’Anna,² Charles Taieb⁶, Thierry Passeron^7,8

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1093/bjd/ljae484

About the BAD

The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) is the professional membership body for dermatologists in the UK. Founded in 1920, the BAD is a registered charity representing over 2,400 members, dedicated to medical education, professional practice and standards, and research in dermatology.

For further information about the charity, visit www.bad.org.uk.

About the BJD

The British Journal of Dermatology (BJD) is a top-ranked international dermatology journal, publishing the highest-quality research to advance the understanding and management of skin disease to improve patient outcomes. The BJD is one of the journals of the British Association of Dermatologists, the professional membership body for dermatologists in the UK.

https://academic.oup.com/bjd