ASPECTS OF PATHOGENESIS AND DIFFERENTIATED APPROACHES TO THE TREATMENT OF SKIN PATHOLOGY IN WOMEN OF EARLY REPRODUCTIVE AGE WITH MENSTRUAL CYCLE DISORDERS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11603/24116-4944.2026.1.16382Keywords:
menstrual cycle disorders, hyperandrogenism; skin pathology, androgen receptors, reproductive-age womenAbstract
The aim of the study – to determine the relationships between menstrual cycle disorders, hormonal profile, and dermatological manifestations in women of early reproductive age in order to develop a prognostic model of these disorders and ensure an adequate therapeutic response.
Materials and Methods. The study included 120 women of early reproductive age (18–35 years), who were divided into three groups according to clinical and hormonal characteristics: Group I (n=45) – women with menstrual cycle disorders and clinical signs of hyperandrogenism (acne, hirsutism, seborrhea); Group II (n=45) – women with menstrual cycle disorders without clinical signs of hyperandrogenism but with other dermatological manifestations (alopecia, xerosis, atopic dermatitis); control group (n=30) – women with a regular menstrual cycle and no skin pathology. Hormonal profile assessment and dermatological examination, including dermatoscopy and skin photometry, were performed. The severity of hirsutism was assessed using the Ferriman – Gallwey score. To evaluate tissue sensitivity, immunohistochemical analysis of androgen receptor expression in the skin was conducted. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis (r), and Student’s t-test; results were considered statistically significant at p<0.05.
Results and Discussion. In patients of Group I, a significant increase in total testosterone and DHEA-S levels was observed against a background of decreased sex hormone–binding globulin. The severity of acne and hirsutism positively correlated with the free androgen index and the Ferriman – Gallwey score. In patients of Group II, systemic hyperandrogenism was minimal or absent; however, immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased androgen receptor expression in the skin, indicating the predominance of local pathogenic mechanisms. The findings confirm that dermatological manifestations in women with menstrual cycle disorders are determined not only by circulating androgen levels but also by target tissue sensitivity. This explains the clinical variability of symptoms and highlights the need for individualized therapeutic strategies based on both hormonal and receptor profiles.
Conclusions. Menstrual cycle disorders in women of early reproductive age are closely associated with hormone-dependent skin pathology. The type and severity of dermatological manifestations depend on both androgen levels and local androgen receptor expression. A comprehensive interdisciplinary approach improves the effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment.
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