THE INFLUENCE OF MARRIAGE, PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH ON ACNE VULGARIS.

A questionnaire was prepared and pit to women who had attended hospital for acne vulgaris in an attempt to assess the effect of marriage, pregnancy and the parturition on this disease. The difficulty of conducting such a survey is shown by the fact that although 827 addresses were collected, over 1100 letters were sent out, and almost 100 homes visited personally, only 415 replies were finally collected. Marriage brought about improvement of acne vulgaris in 43.4% of women. 53%, however, noted no change in their skin condition. Only 3.6% deteriorated following matrimony. The wide:.y held belief of a universally beneficial influence of marriage alone on this complaint has not been confirmed by this survey. Pregnancy, on the other hand, has a markedly beneficial influence on acne vulgaris according to this survey. The largest percentage of patients improved after the birth of a child. The impression is gained that this cure of acne vulgaris is due to a finally established ideal hormonal balance, only achieved by the stimuli of pregnancy and parturition. Other aetiological factors would appear to be only of secondary importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]