What hormonal imbalance is most commonly responsible for acne and hirsutism in women?

The hormonal imbalance most commonly responsible for acne and hirsutism in women is androgens. Androgens are a group of hormones that play a role in male traits and reproductive activity, but they are also present in females in lower amounts. An increase in androgen levels can lead to an overproduction of sebum (skin oil) and cause acne. Additionally, androgens can stimulate hair follicles in certain areas of the body, leading to hirsutism, which is characterized by excessive hair growth in areas where men typically grow hair, such as the face, chest, and back.

While testosterone, which is a type of androgen, is specifically linked to these conditions, it is classified as an androgen alongside other hormones like dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Thus, referring to the broader category of androgens encompasses the overall hormonal imbalance that contributes to both acne and hirsutism in women. The levels of estrogen and progesterone typically do not have the same direct impact on the development of these conditions, making androgens the most relevant factor in this context.