Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is hormonal and reproductive disorder found commonly among young adults including women of reproductive age. It is regarded as a common cause of chronic hyperandrogenic anovulation and ovulatory dysfunction. The disorder is also a risk factor for metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, impaired psychological well-being, and increased cancer risk.
Although it is a very common health issue that affects 5-10% of adolescents, the disease remains undiagnosed or seems untreated in most people who have it. There are also occasions where it is misdiagnosed. Thus, diagnosing PCOS and so the PCOS treatment is very complicated in its terms and aspects. If your doctor thinks you are suffering from PCOS, she/he may refer you to an endocrinologist or specifically reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist.
PCOS in Young Adolescents
As a common endocrine reproductive disorder among women of childbearing age PCOS impacts many women from their very young age. The most common symptoms of the disease include irregular periods, acne, overweight, excess hair growth, etc. The severity of symptoms may vary from girl to girl and PCOS treatments are taken accordingly. Many young girls are distressed with the PCOS and its symptoms in their life and it can affect their self-esteem.
Challenges in Diagnosing PCOS in Adolescents
The signs and symptoms of PCOS can vary with age, weight, and medical conditions and this aspect of PCOS becomes a challenge in its accurate diagnosis, especially in young ones. The diagnostic practices tend to be inconsistent in adolescents since the normal pubertal physiological events are very much similar to the signs of PCOS. This overlap between PCOS and pubertal changes can lead to an over-diagnosis of PCOS among young girls which can be followed by unnecessary treatment as well as psychological impairment.
Considering the diagnosis of PCOS below are certain important factors young people need to keep in mind:
Hyperandrogenism
Studies have shown that puberty is characterized by high testosterone levels and acne in the body. The hormone level can reach its apex within a few years after menarche. This physiological hyperandrogenism can be misinterpreted as a sign of PCOS. However, neither testosterone levels nor acne can clarify PCOS, since they are influenced by other factors and, are not well defined in young females.
Irregular menstrual cycles
Adolescent girls often exhibit various patterns of physiological menstrual irregularities such as oligomenorrhea, primary amenorrhea, secondary amenorrhea, uterine bleeding, etc. According to a recent study, the most common etiology in young females with abnormal uterine bleeding is PCOS. Nevertheless, irregular menstrual cycles can’t be a reliable criterion for PCOS diagnosis in adolescents. It is necessary to differentiate the physiological anovulation related to puberty and the pathological anovulation which is identified as dysfunction in PCOS.
Metabolic risks
Once PCOS is identified in an adolescent girl, she should be tested for metabolic abnormalities which is an important risk associated with PCOS. Studies suggest that about one-third of the girls diagnosed with PCOS meet the risk of metabolic syndrome at a very early age. The criteria are different for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome in young girls and the treatment must be given immediately as it reduces the future risks of other diseases like diabetes and coronary diseases.
Final Thoughts
These are the important factors to know about PCOS for the young generation including the challenges faced by the adolescents at the time of PCOS diagnosis. If you are facing issues related to this, you must get in touch with Gynecologist who deals specifically with Reproductive Endocrinologist
