Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Early Detection in Adolescents

The document from 2007 discusses polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), highlighting that its primary symptoms, hirsutism and irregular menstrual bleeding, typically appear late in puberty due to ovarian androgen excess and chronic anovulation. Insulin resistance and obesity often exacerbate these symptoms. Progressive hirsutism is a key indicator, while menstrual irregularity is less reliable for diagnosis unless persistent. The difficulty in diagnosing PCOS in adolescents is due to the overlap of its symptoms with normal puberty changes, leading to delayed diagnosis until more severe endocrine and metabolic issues arise. The development of PCOS in early adolescence involves abnormal activity in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian-adrenal axis and ovarian changes. Early detection and treatment to reduce ovarian androgen production are crucial for managing PCOS in young girls.