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MINIREVIEW

Screening for and Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Teenagers

Sansum Diabetes Research Institute, Santa Barbara, California 93105

To whom requests for reprints should be addressed at ¹ Sansum Diabetes Research Institute, 2219 Bath St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105. E-mail: hzisser{at}sansum.org

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) usually arises during puberty and is marked by hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenism. Adolescents with PCOS are at an increased risk of developing health problems later on in life such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and infertility. Furthermore, the physical signs of PCOS can be detrimental to a teenage girl’s self-image. Early diagnosis and treatment of PCOS in adolescents are essential in ensuring adulthood health and restoring self-esteem. Treatments for an adolescent with PCOS include diet and exercise, metformin, and oral contraceptive pills. Each of these options has been shown to be effective in improving certain aspects of PCOS, and probably the best treatment plan involves some combination of them.

Key Words: polycystic ovary syndrome • adolescents • hyperinsulinemia • hyperandrogenism • oligomenorrhea • elevated testosterone