women of childbearing age with HS who are receiving therapy that is classified as pregnancy category C or above. However, since systemic antibiotics and hormonal therapy remain first line therapy for mild-to-moderate HS according to the North American Clinical Management Guidelines for HS, there is likely continued and significant use of these teratogenic medications.6
We are unable to determine if a teratogenic medication was clinically indicated or if appropriate counseling was provided. However, as many female patients feel that their physicians are not counseling them regarding the impact of HS therapy on childbearing, the results of this study serve as a reminder to dermatologists and non-dermatologists managing skin disease to continue to facilitate conversations about potential pregnancy risk when prescribing teratogenic medications in this population.2
