Polycystic ovary syndrome in teenage girls – diagnosis and treatment
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex group of endocrine disorders affecting up to 12% of women, including 6% of teenage girls. Excessive production of androgens by the ovaries deregulates the endocrine system, leading to menstrual disorders, infertility and metabolic diseases. There is no clear consensus regarding diagnosis, especially in juvenile patients, but absent or infrequent menstrual periods, hyperandrogenism manifested as hirsutism and/or hyperandrogenemia, and distinctive ultrasound appearance of the ovaries are always considered. Diagnostic criteria have evolved over time and have gradually become more stringent, particularly in relation to young people, allowing some degree of prevention of too hasty diagnoses of PCOS in the first years after menarche. The cause of overdiagnosis is the fact that some of the symptoms, such as irregular menstruations, signs of hyperandrogenism or multicystic structure of the ovaries are a variant of the standard accompanying maturation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Puberty is a complex relationship between the onset of obesity and therefore the primary preventive action in teenagers seems to be lifestyle modification. Drugs of choice include: metformin which is insulin-sensitive, oral hormonal contraception and gestagens. A beneficial response is achieved with myoinositol and vitamin D supplementation. The best therapeutic effects are attained in a comprehensive combination therapy coupled with a customized diet and physical exercise; however, individualizing the treatment is paramount and should depend not only on clinical symptoms but, above all, the age of the patient.
Piśmiennictwo
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