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Atopic Dermatitis Beyond Cutaneous Inflammation: The Interplay Between Progesterone, Testosterone, Gut Microbiota,
Patricia Guevara-Ramírez1, Elius Paz-Cruz1, Viviana A Ruiz-Pozo1
1Universidad UTE, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud Eugenio Espejo, Centro de Investigación Genética y Genómica, Quito 170129, Ecuador.
Microorganisms
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Sex hormones like progesterone and testosterone interact with gut microbiota, influencing atopic dermatitis (AD) development and severity. This hormone-gut-skin axis offers new insights into AD pathogenesis and sex-specific differences.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a complex skin condition with barrier dysfunction and immune issues.
- Sex hormones and gut microbiota are linked to AD, but their interactions are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the interplay between progesterone, testosterone, gut microbiota, and AD.
- To explore immune regulation, barrier function, and gut-skin communication in AD.
Main Methods:
- Narrative review of clinical, experimental, and preclinical studies.
- Integration of evidence on hormone-microbiota-AD interactions.
Main Results:
- Progesterone links to type 2 immunity and barrier changes.
- Testosterone shows immunoregulatory effects and promotes beneficial gut bacteria.
- Hormonal fluctuations impact gut microbiota, and microbial metabolism affects hormone levels.
Conclusions:
- An integrated endocrine-microbial-immune framework is proposed for AD.
- This framework may explain sex-specific AD differences and guide future research on the hormone-gut microbiota-skin axis.
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