05-08-2025
Breaking out or glowing up? How gynaecological health affects your skin
This Women's Month, let us not only celebrate the achievements of women but also commit to breaking the silence surrounding gynaecological health issues.
But it's also an opportunity to have real conversations about the health battles we carry quietly, especially the ones that show up in places no one expects.
August is Women's Month in South Africa, a time to honour women's resilience, strength, and sacrifices.
From the transformative changes in puberty to the hormonal rollercoaster of menopause, women's bodies navigate a complex landscape of gynaecological health issues throughout their lives.
Unfortunately, many of these concerns, such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, not only affect physical health but also have significant implications for skin health.
They're whole-body experiences. They affect how we feel and how we show up in the world. Yet, too often these changes are dismissed as vanity or chalked up to 'hormones' in a way that minimises the real struggles behind them.
Dr Judey Pretorius, a renowned biomedical scientist and founder of Biomedical Emporium skincare, discusses the various effects female gynaecological conditions can have on the skin.
Skin issues tied to women's health are often overlooked, even by healthcare professionals. But our skin is our biggest organ, and for many women, it's the first place their body starts sounding the alarm that something deeper is happening.
The connection between hormones and skin
When women struggle with gynaecological issues, skin concerns can feel like an additional burden that healthcare providers may overlook. We look at some of the gynaecological health conditions that affect the skin below:
PCOS is more than just a hormonal imbalance
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, affecting nearly one in ten women of reproductive age, is a prevalent hormonal disorder that can lead to a host of issues, including infertility, weight gain, and troubling skin conditions.
Women with PCOS often experience elevated androgen levels, which can increase oil production and lead to stubborn acne, especially along the jawline and neck. These breakouts can feel deeper and harder to treat than typical acne.
