A severe form of acne that typically affects the armpits, groin and lower abdomen has been shown to be related to sexual dysfunction and distress in men and women.

The European study found acne inversa, an inflammatory skin problem characterised by abscesses and extensive scarring in intimate parts of the body, also led to a reduced quality of life.

According to several measures of sexual health and quality of life, women with acne inversa were more likely than men to report the disease had a profound negative impact on their lives.

Previous studies have also shown that acne inversa impacts quality of life more than most other skin diseases such as facial acne, psoriasis, dermatitis and alopecia.

Acne inversa is a difficult-to-treat hormonal acne which affects adults at 20-40 years of age. The study highlights the psychological as well as physical impact of the disease.

The study was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology