Adolescent Parents Must Read: Understanding Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Adolescence

  Polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescence is a series of syndromes caused by abnormal follicular development and is an endocrine metabolic disease that endangers the lifelong health of women. The prevalence is 5-10% in adolescent girls. It accounts for more than 80% of girls with menstrual disorders or sporadic menstruation and amenorrhea.  The symptoms of adolescent polycystic ovary syndrome are diverse. The common symptoms are late menstruation, menstruation once every 2-3 months, or no menstruation without medication; or completely disordered and irregular menstrual cycle; followed by heavier, longer or thicker body hair, some girls also have more severe acne and other manifestations of high androgens; then there is obesity, about 50% of patients with adolescent polycystic ovary syndrome are accompanied by Ultrasound examination indicates polycystic ovarian changes.  If the above symptoms are not taken seriously enough, girls with polycystic ovary syndrome will have a significantly higher risk of infertility in their reproductive years; the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases is significantly higher than that of the general population and can last until after menopause; the risk of developing endometrial cancer and breast cancer is 6-10 times higher than that of the normal population.  So what factors are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescence? Recent studies have shown that girls with a family history of polycystic ovary syndrome, male pattern baldness, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity are susceptible. Secondly, growth restriction during fetal life, prematurity, low birth weight (usually less than 5 pounds), rapid growth after birth or excessive birth mass; prepubertal obesity, overweight or obesity; and early menarche are all factors closely associated with polycystic ovary syndrome during puberty.  However, polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescence is not beyond intervention. The effectiveness of early intervention has been demonstrated, including lifestyle modification, effective weight control in the normal range (diet control + exercise control) to keep the body mass index (weight kg/height 2m2) below 23… Reducing body weight to the normal range can prevent the long-term development of adverse consequences of polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescence, such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and metabolic syndrome such as cardiovascular disease, and increase the chances of future conception. In addition, for non-obese adolescent polycystic ovary syndrome, early screening evaluation and professional pharmacological guidance can also significantly improve the chances of conception during the reproductive years.  Therefore, parents of adolescent girls, or friends of adolescents, should contact a medical professional as soon as possible when they experience abnormal menstruation or symptoms similar to those described above to avoid future fertility problems and various adult health problems.