Causes Of Stretch Marks

What causes stretch marks? There are, in fact, several causes for stretch marks.

One of the most common is pregnancy. About 75-90% of all pregnant women develop stretch marks during their pregnancy. They often appear on the bulging abdomen around the sixth or, in some cases, the seventh month of the pregnancy. Stretch marks can also appear on the underarms, breasts, upper part of thighs, buttocks and arms. The appearance of stretch marks is related to the amount of weight gain during pregnancy or genetic history.

Puberty is another cause of stretch marks. The marks usually manifest when a teen is either gaining or losing weight quickly. Rapid weight loss or rapid weight gain happens quite often during this period and can be quite a challenge for youth to deal with especially when going to the beach with friends or sun bathing.

Cushing's syndrome is a disorder of the adrenal glands. Cortisol is a hormone produced in your adrenal glands. Your adrenal glands are responsible for regulating the body’s response to stress. Its main purpose is to mobilize the body to fight and resist infection. However, it is also tied to weight gain. If your adrenal glands produce too much cortisol, you may develop weight gain, especially in the abdominal area.

There is another form of this syndrome called Alcohol-induced pseudo-Cushing syndrome. This a result of the high levels of alcohol consumption result in symptoms very similar to the original Cushing's syndrome including weight gain. Once alcohol consumption is discontinued, the symptoms begin to regress.

Steroid therapy is another common cause for stretch marks. The amount of weight will vary from person to person. Some steroids also lead to a redistribution of body fat to particular areas such as the abdomen, neck and face.

Obesity or an excess of body weight compared to normal standards is yet another problem. Most of that weight is due to an accumulation of fat. This results in an increase in abdominal girth causing stretch marks.

Diabetes is a also a risk factor for stretch marks as it can also cause weight gain.

Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder, affects many structures in the body. Many who have this condition develop stretch marks, often without any change in weight.