Acne is caused by the overproduction of sebum during puberty when high levels of the male hormone androgen cause excess sebum to form.
An increase in the male hormone androgen during puberty (seen in both males and females) causes the sebaceous glands to overproduce androgen.
Androgen receptor blockade might be potentiated by a reduction of serum androgen receptor blockade might be potentiated by a reduction of serum androgens.
Anti-androgens, drugs that inhibit androgen production, are used to treat women who are unresponsive to other therapies.
Combined androgen blockade should not be used routinely based on current evidence.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a genetic disorder characterized by a deficiency in the hormones cortisol and aldosterone and an over-production of the hormone androgen.
During puberty, there are increased levels of the male hormone androgen.
High levels of androgen cause excess sebum to form.
However, there is a difference in the way that the male hormone androgen is metabolized (processed) between the sexes.
In prostate cancer patients, it may be used for patients with bone mineral loss associated with androgen deprivation.
Most men would probably welcome a " drug holiday " and a rest from the adverse effects of androgen suppression.
Some boys have adequate amounts of androgen in their system but fail to respond to them, a condition known as androgen resistance.
Some, but not all, are due to inadequate androgen stimulation.
The goal of treatment for CAH is to return the androgen levels to normal.
The increased androgen can originate from the ovaries, or the adrenal glands, or from medication.
The researchers studied the gene for the androgen receptor, which is located on the X-chromosome.
This implies that androgen action is not required to maintain the capacity for erection.
This procedure, called castration or orchiectomy, removes androgen stimulation from the whole body.