Abstract: Objective To investigate serum levels of sex hormones,clinical features and therapeutic regimen in women with climacteric acne.Methods The characteristics of skin lesions and therapeutic effect were observed in 66 female patients with climacteric acne.The serum levels of testosterone,and estradiol were measured with radioimmunoassay in 35 patients.Results No significant difference was found in the serum levels of testosterone and estradiol between the patients and normal controls(P>0.05),but the ratio of testosterone/estradiol was significantly higher in patients than that of the controls(P<0.05).The clinical features were as follows:(1)The lesions started in climacteric period in 63.6% cases.(2)Most lesions scattered around mouth and chin,then on the cheek and frontal part.(3)The acne was mild to moderate in severity,consisting mainly of comedones and inflammatory lesions(papules and papulopustules).(4)78.8% climacteric acne patients were cured with ordinary therapy,the others with sex hormone therapy.Conclusions The ratio of estrogen and androgen is unbalanced,and the level of adrenal androgens is relatively increased in climacteric acne patients.Most cases are mild to moderate in severity,most patients can be cured with ordinary therapy.

Key words: Acne vulgaris, Testosterone, Estradiol