Semin Reprod Med 2022; 40(01/02): e1-e8
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1757138
Review Article

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Adolescence

Authors

  • Anju E. Joham

    1   Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
    2   Department of Diabetes and Vascular Medicine, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Alexia S. Peña

    3   Discipline of Paediatrics, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
    4   Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common, complex, and chronic condition that presents many diagnostic and management challenges for managing clinicians. PCOS diagnosis in adolescents presents a particular challenge for treating clinicians due to the overlap of diagnostic features with normal physiological changes during adolescence. Adolescent diagnostic criteria include well-defined menstrual irregularity according to time postmenarche and hyperandrogenism, but does not require the use of pelvic ultrasound. Adolescents with only one criterion should be considered at risk of PCOS and be followed up around transition to adult care. While PCOS was traditionally considered to be a reproductive disorder, PCOS is now recognized to have major metabolic and cardiovascular health consequences and psychological sequelae that can be present from adolescence. Management of PCOS includes healthy lifestyle, metformin, combined oral contraceptive pill, and/or antiandrogens according to symptoms of concern even in adolescents at risk of PCOS.



Publication History

Article published online:
12 September 2022

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