Which hormone is primarily linked to causing hirsutism and acne in women?

The hormone primarily linked to causing hirsutism and acne in women is androgens. These hormones, which include testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), are typically associated with male characteristics but are also present in females in lower amounts. When there is an imbalance or an overproduction of androgens in women, it can lead to symptoms such as excessive hair growth (hirsutism) and acne due to increased sebum production and hair follicle activity.

Androgens influence the activity of sebaceous glands in the skin, leading to the clogging of pores and the development of acne. Additionally, they stimulate hair follicles, resulting in hirsutism, particularly in areas where men typically grow hair, such as the face, chest, and back. This makes androgens the primary hormones responsible for these conditions rather than estrogen, progesterone, or cortisol, which play different roles in the body and do not directly cause hirsutism or acne in the same way.