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What hormone is primarily responsible for causing acne and hirsutism in women?

  1. Estrogen

  2. Progesterone

  3. Androgen

  4. Testosterone

The correct answer is: Androgen

The hormone primarily responsible for causing acne and hirsutism in women is androgen. Androgens, which include testosterone and other related hormones, play a significant role in the development of acne by increasing the production of sebum in the sebaceous glands. This excess sebum can clog pores and lead to the formation of acne lesions. Additionally, androgens contribute to hirsutism by stimulating hair follicles to produce thicker and darker hair in areas where women typically have finer hair, such as the face, chest, and back. This phenomenon occurs due to an imbalance between androgens and other hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, which can affect hair growth patterns. While estrogen and progesterone are key reproductive hormones that regulate various functions in the female body, they do not have the same direct impact on acne and excessive hair growth as androgens do. Therefore, the influence of androgens in these conditions highlights their significant role in skin and hair health in women.