title: Contraceptive use in acne.
abstract: Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous follicle. It is well established that androgen hormones play a major role in sebum production and excretion, and are vital in the pathogenesis of acne. Isotretinoin notwithstanding, hormonal therapies such as combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and spironolactone are the only treatments that can affect sebum production and the androgen component of acne. Contraceptives are also used during isotretinoin therapy for pregnancy prevention. It is important for a dermatologist to be familiar with all the available methods of contraception to provide essential counseling to patients. The aim of this paper is to review the role of hormones in acne pathogenesis, discuss the use of hormonal therapies for acne, and detail various alternative contraceptive methods in relation to isotretinoin treatment and pregnancy prevention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Penn State University/Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Charlene
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Penn State University/Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania; Department of Pediatrics, Penn State University/Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania. Electronic address: azaenglein@hmc.psu.edu.
authors.forename: Andrea L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Zaenglein
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D013148:Spironolactone / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists; D013148:Spironolactone; D015474:Isotretinoin