---
title: Is acne linked to polycystic ovary syndrome, and do these conditions go with PMS?
description: Yes. High male hormone levels in PCOS cause acne, and in 93% of women with both conditions, acne severity matched PCOS severity and the presence of PMS.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/correlations-between-acne-and-polycystic-ovary-a-study-of-60-cases-2001/
---

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- Is acne linked to polycystic ovary syndrome, and do these conditions go with PMS?

Survey study, 2001

# Is acne linked to polycystic ovary syndrome, and do these conditions go with PMS?

Yes. High male hormone levels in PCOS cause acne, and in 93% of women with both conditions, acne severity matched PCOS severity and the presence of PMS.

 Early or limited evidence

60 women aged 19 to 28 with acne and polycystic ovaries

## What they did

They examined 60 women aged 19 to 28 who had both acne and polycystic ovaries. They photographed the acne, did ultrasound scans of the ovaries four times during the menstrual cycle, measured hormone levels, and checked for PMS.

## What they found

In 93% of the 60 women (56 women), the severity of acne matched the severity of PCOS and the presence of PMS. Women with PCOS had higher male hormone levels that caused acne. Ultrasound images showed three phases of increasing severity linking acne and PCOS.

## What it means for you

If you have acne and polycystic ovaries, you are very likely to also have PMS. This study only included women aged 19 to 28 who had both conditions, so findings may not apply to women with only acne or only PCOS.

93%

With all three: acne, PCOS, and PMS (56 of 60)

60

Total women studied

19-28

Age range in years

## About the study

Original title [Correlations between acne and polycystic ovary. A study of 60 cases] Authors Iurassich S, Trotta C, Palagiano A et al. Journal Minerva ginecologica Year 2001 Study design Survey study Participants 60 What was tested None Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11319503/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11319503/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-pcos/)

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