{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,30]],"date-time":"2026-09-30T00:08:31Z","timestamp":1790726911684,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":15,"publisher":"Oxford University Press (OUP)","issue":"5","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,6]],"date-time":"2026-07-06T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1783296000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,30]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin condition that causes painful abscesses, nodules and tunnelling in the skin folds. HS disproportionately affects women, and androgenic hormones are implicated in its pathophysiology.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Objectives<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>To explore the impact of menstruation and pregnancy on HS.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Two anonymous online surveys were created on Microsoft Forms and distributed via social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn). The surveys were also shared via the HS Support Network UK and Ireland and HS Ireland\u2019s mailing lists. The first survey explored the impact of menstruation on HS (open from 16 December 2024 to 18 January 2025); the second survey explored the impact of pregnancy on HS (open from 6 June to 20 August 2025). Survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics and free-text responses were coded, categorized into themes and analysed manually.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Of 255 participants who responded to the first survey, 96.1% (n = 245\/255) noticed changes in their HS during their menstrual cycle. Of these, 99.6% (n = 244\/245) experienced worsening symptoms. Of 43 respondents to the second survey, 58% (n = 25\/43) reported HS worsening during pregnancy. Flare-ups typically occurred during the premenstrual phase and the second trimester of pregnancy. Respondents reported variable disease improvement with the antiandrogenic drugs metformin and spironolactone. Some respondents reported difficulty in caring for their newborn babies during the postpartum period, primarily because of pain caused by their HS.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This study demonstrates a strong association between hormonal fluctuations and HS symptom deterioration. Clinicians should proactively assess menstrual patterns in HS management and provide support during the pregnancy and postpartum periods. Coordinated multidisciplinary care is essential. Further research is needed to evaluate antiandrogenic therapies for hormonally triggered HS exacerbations.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1093\/skinhd\/vzag087","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,6]],"date-time":"2026-07-06T14:22:15Z","timestamp":1783347735000},"page":"749-753","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["\u2018My HS is significantly impacted by my cycle\u2019: a cross-sectional study exploring the impact of menstruation and pregnancy on hidradenitis suppurativa"],"prefix":"10.1093","volume":"6","author":[{"given":"Olivia","family":"Garrett","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"North Bristol NHS Trust General Medicine,\u00a0 , Bristol ,","place":["UK"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Eliza","family":"Hutchison","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Applied Excellence in Skin & Allergy Research, University of Bristol , Bristol ,","place":["UK"]},{"name":"Dermatology Department, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust , Bath ,","place":["UK"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4521-2907","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Hannah E","family":"Wainman","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Applied Excellence in Skin & Allergy Research, University of Bristol , Bristol ,","place":["UK"]},{"name":"Bristol Dermatology Centre, Bristol Royal Infirmary, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust , Bristol ,","place":["UK"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"286","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,6]]},"reference":[{"key":"2026092919520307300_vzag087-B1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1022","DOI":"10.1001\/jamadermatol.2025.2373","article-title":"Prevalence of hidradenitis suppurativa: a meta-analysis of global hidradenitis suppurativa atlas studies","volume":"161","author":"Bouazzi","year":"2025","journal-title":"JAMA Dermatol"},{"key":"2026092919520307300_vzag087-B2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"335","DOI":"10.1007\/s11154-016-9366-z","article-title":"Hidradenitis suppurativa\/acne inversa: an endocrine skin disorder?","volume":"17","author":"Karagiannidis","year":"2016","journal-title":"Rev Endocr Metab Disord"},{"key":"2026092919520307300_vzag087-B3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"13030\/qt6383k0n4","DOI":"10.5070\/D32310036990","article-title":"Hormonal therapies for hidradenitis suppurativa: review","volume":"23","author":"Clark","year":"2017","journal-title":"Dermatol Online J"},{"key":"2026092919520307300_vzag087-B4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"503","DOI":"10.1007\/s40257-019-00442-w","article-title":"Is there a role for antiandrogen therapy for hidradenitis suppurativa? A systematic review of published data","volume":"20","author":"Nikolakis","year":"2019","journal-title":"Am J Clin Dermatol"},{"key":"2026092919520307300_vzag087-B5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"368","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijwd.2020.07.002","article-title":"Menses, pregnancy, delivery, and menopause in hidradenitis suppurativa: a patient survey","volume":"6","author":"Fernandez","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int J Womens Dermatol"},{"key":"2026092919520307300_vzag087-B6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"155","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jaad.2016.07.024","article-title":"Menses and pregnancy affect symptoms in hidradenitis suppurativa: a cross-sectional study","volume":"76","author":"Vossen","year":"2017","journal-title":"J Am Acad Dermatol"},{"key":"2026092919520307300_vzag087-B7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"819","DOI":"10.1111\/bjd.13090","article-title":"Risk factors, clinical course and long-term prognosis in hidradenitis suppurativa: a cross-sectional study","volume":"171","author":"Kromann","year":"2014","journal-title":"Br J Dermatol"},{"key":"2026092919520307300_vzag087-B8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1072","DOI":"10.1111\/bjd.20078","article-title":"Hidradenitis suppurativa disease course during pregnancy and postpartum: a retrospective survey study","volume":"185","author":"Prens","year":"2021","journal-title":"Br J Dermatol"},{"key":"2026092919520307300_vzag087-B9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"899","DOI":"10.1111\/jdv.20472","article-title":"European S2k guidelines for hidradenitis suppurativa\/acne inversa part 2: treatment","volume":"39","author":"Zouboulis","year":"2025","journal-title":"J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol"},{"key":"2026092919520307300_vzag087-B10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"464","DOI":"10.1111\/ced.14119","article-title":"Spironolactone therapy for hidradenitis suppurativa","volume":"45","author":"Quinlan","year":"2020","journal-title":"Clin Exp Dermatol"},{"key":"2026092919520307300_vzag087-B11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"635","DOI":"10.3389\/fimmu.2015.00635","article-title":"The immune system is a natural target for estrogen action: opposing effects of estrogen in two prototypical autoimmune diseases","volume":"6","author":"Khan","year":"2016","journal-title":"Front Immunol"},{"key":"2026092919520307300_vzag087-B12","volume-title":"The Normal Menstrual Cycle and the Control of Ovulation","author":"Reed"},{"key":"2026092919520307300_vzag087-B13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"37","DOI":"10.1007\/s00404-023-06996-9","article-title":"Impact of progesterone on the immune system in women: a systematic literature review","volume":"309","author":"Zwahlen","year":"2024","journal-title":"Arch Gynecol Obstet"},{"key":"2026092919520307300_vzag087-B14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"6302","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms24076302","article-title":"Gender-specific impact of sex hormones on the immune system","volume":"24","author":"Sciarra","year":"2023","journal-title":"Int J Mol Sci"},{"key":"2026092919520307300_vzag087-B15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"167","DOI":"10.1186\/s12967-025-06175-1","article-title":"Beyond the skin: endocrine, psychological and nutritional aspects in women with hidradenitis suppurativa","volume":"23","author":"Dattolo","year":"2025","journal-title":"J Transl Med"}],"container-title":["Skin Health and Disease"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/skinhd\/article-pdf\/6\/5\/749\/68701833\/vzag087.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"syndication"},{"URL":"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/skinhd\/article-pdf\/6\/5\/749\/68701833\/vzag087.pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,29]],"date-time":"2026-09-29T23:52:09Z","timestamp":1790725929000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/skinhd\/article\/6\/5\/749\/8725427"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,6]]},"references-count":15,"journal-issue":{"issue":"5","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,6]]},"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,30]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/skinhd\/vzag087","relation":{},"ISSN":["2690-442X"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2690-442X","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published-other":{"date-parts":[[2026,10]]},"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,6]]}}}