Background: Acne and menstrual symptoms are highly prevalent among young women. Since both acne and menstrual symptoms have similar hormonal pathogenesis, it is highly suggested that the two conditions are associated. Herein, we conducted this study to assess the relationship between acne and menstrual symptoms among young women.
Subjects and methods: In this population-based cross-sectional study, a multi-stage random sampling approach was used to include 3065 young women (18-25 years) from Egypt. Women were interviewed for their socio-demographic characteristics, gynecological history, premenstrual and menstrual symptoms, and history of acne and perimenstrual acne flare during the past 6 months.
Results: The mean age of women was 21.5 ± 2.2 and their age of menarche was 13.1 ± 1.5 years. During the previous 6 months, 44.8% of participants had acne. After adjusting for socio-demographic and gynecological characteristics, acne was associated with most menstrual symptoms with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as follows: [premenstrual symptoms: 1.23 (1.05-1.44) for irritation or nervousness, 1.45 (1.24-1.68) for fatigue, 1.37 (1.15-1.62) for breast tenderness, 1.48 (1.21-1.80) for abdominal bloating, and 1.36 (1.11-1.66) for nausea or vomiting], [menstrual symptoms: 1.63 (1.19-2.23) for dysmenorrhea and 1.24 (1.06-1.45) for dysmenorrhea requiring drugs], and [symptoms severity: 1.44 (1.24-1.68) for missing events and 1.38 (1.16-1.64) for medical consultation]. Of acne patients, 56.7% reported perimenstrual acne flare: 58.5% before menses, 35% during menses, and 6.5% after menses.
Conclusion: This study supports the concept that acne is associated with menstrual symptoms. Physicians should consider screening for menstrual symptoms among young women with acne.
Keywords: acne; dysmenorrhea; population-based studies; premenstrual symptoms.
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