Striae are more common in women but can occur in men as well.
Striae occur when some combination of the following occurs:
(1) lateral distention of the skin
(2) glucocorticoid or estrogenic exess
(3) defect in connective tissue
Lateral distention of the skin, usually with stretching:
(1) pregnancy (striae gravidarum)
(2) obesity
(3) breast augmentation surgery
(4) ascites
Increase in glucocorticoids and/or estogens:
(1) pregnancy
(2) puberty
(3) Cushing's syndrome
(4) exogenous steroid therapy
(5) obesity
(6) chronic liver disease
Defect in connective tissue:
(1) Marfan's syndrome
