1. Treatment of PCOS in adolescence
- Author
-
Julia Warren-Ulanch and Silva A. Arslanian
- Subjects
Blood Glucose ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Adolescent ,Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism ,Puberty, Precocious ,Type 2 diabetes ,Endocrinology ,Insulin resistance ,Diabetes mellitus ,Weight Loss ,Hyperinsulinemia ,Medicine ,Humans ,Hypoglycemic Agents ,Family history ,Intensive care medicine ,Gynecology ,Inflammation ,business.industry ,Hyperandrogenism ,Infant, Newborn ,Androgen Antagonists ,Infant, Low Birth Weight ,medicine.disease ,Polycystic ovary ,Substance Withdrawal Syndrome ,Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ,Cardiovascular Diseases ,Body Composition ,Drug Therapy, Combination ,Female ,Insulin Resistance ,business ,Risk Reduction Behavior ,Dyslipidemia ,Anovulation ,Contraceptives, Oral ,Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is increasingly being recognized in adolescent girls seeking treatment for signs and symptoms of hyperandrogenism. It is difficult to diagnose PCOS in adolescents, therefore a high index of suspicion is necessary. Timely screening and treatment are crucial because another important component of the syndrome is insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia increasing the risk for type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular sequelae. Diagnosis of PCOS in adolescents should include a thorough family history, exclusion of other causes of hyperandrogenism, and appropriate laboratory evaluation. The scarcity of controlled clinical trials makes treatment controversial. Therapeutic options include lifestyle intervention, oral contraceptive pills, and insulin sensitizers. Long-term follow-up is needed to determine the effectiveness of these approaches in changing the natural history of the reproductive and metabolic outcomes without causing undue harm.
- Published
- 2006