Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gvvz8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T06:53:33.908Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Chapter 6 - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Adolescence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 January 2023

Naomi S. Crouch
Affiliation:
St Michael's Hospital, Bristol
Cara E. Williams
Affiliation:
Liverpool Women's Hospital
Get access

Summary

The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition, affecting 10%–15% of women, and is defined by the presence of at least two of the following three criteria (Table 6.1): (1) a menstrual cycle disturbance, that is oligomenorrhoea or amenorrhoea, (2) evidence of hyperandrogenism, as assessed by either physical signs (excess hair growth on the face or body (hirsutism), acne, alopecia) or a biochemical elevation of androgens and/or (3) polycystic ovaries as seen by ultrasound scan, after appropriate endocrine tests have been carried out to rule out other causes of androgen excess and menstrual cycle irregularity. PCOS therefore encompasses many of the natural features experienced by adolescent girls and so it is important to ensure that an appropriate diagnosis is made. Indeed, for this reason, the current guidelines suggest that the diagnosis of PCOS cannot be made until at least 3 years after menarche and some even suggest that one should wait for 8 years, which is when full reproductive maturity has usually been attained.

Type
Chapter
Information
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Balen, AH. Polycystic ovary syndrome. Obstetr Gynaecol. 2017;19(2):119–29.Google Scholar
Teede, HJ, Misso, ML, Costello, MF, Dokras, A, Laven, J, Misso, ML, et al. Recommendations from the international evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil Steri. 2018;110:364–79; Clin Endocrinol. 2018;89:251–68; Hum Reprod. 2018;33:1602–18. Simultaneous publications.Google Scholar
Fauser, B, Tarlatzis, B, Chang, J, Azziz, R, Legro, R, Dewailly, D, et al. Revised 2003 consensus on diagnostic criteria and long-term health risks related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Hum Reprod. 2004;19:41–7.Google Scholar
Fauser, BCJM, Tarlatzis, BC, Rerbar, RW, Legro, RS, Balen, AH, Lobo, R, et al. Consensus on women’s health aspects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): the Amsterdam ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored 3rd PCOS Consensus Workshop Group. Hum Reprod. 2012;27:1424.Google Scholar
Morley, LC, Tang, T, Yasmin, E, Norman, RJ, Balen, AH. Insulin-sensitising drugs (metformin, rosiglitazone, pioglitazone, D-chiro-inositol) for women with polycystic ovary syndrome, oligo amenorrhoea and subfertility. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;11:CD003053.Google Scholar
Harper, J, Boivin, J, O’Neill, HC, Brian, K, Dhingra, J, Dugdale, G, et al. The need to improve fertility awareness. Reprod Biomed Online. 2017;4:1820.Google Scholar
Wijeyeratne, C, Udayangani, D, Balen, AH. Ethnic specific PCOS. Exp Rev Endocrinol Metabol. 2013;8:71–9.Google Scholar
Balen, AH, Morley, LC, Misso, M, Franks, S, Legro, RS, Wijeyaratne, CN, et al. WHO recommendations for the management of anovulatory infertility in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Hum Reprod Update. 2016;22:687708.Google Scholar

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×