PCOS IN ADOLESCENTS : AN ENIGMA
The alarming number of young adolescent girls walking into my clinic accompanied by thier frantic parents carrying a diagnosis of PCOS has triggered me into writing this blog.
Plenty has been written about PCOS, but often the numerous queries ringing in the minds of these young girls remain unanswered. I have always been very partial to my adolescent patients, so much so that I am often teased by my assistants for spending extra time with them in my clinic. I am fully convinced that these are the patients who need proper counselling and management.
PCOS affects 6-10 % of the population and is prevalent in all age groups. In a broad sense it is an endocrine disorder with various manifestations. The main criteria for diagnosing it is Irregular periods, excessive hair growth over the face and detection of tiny cysts in the ovaries on ultrasound scan.
Before branding an adoloscent as PCOS, all the criteria should be met by performing all the relevant tests. Many of the symptoms of PCOS is mimicked during the normal pubertal development like irregular periods and acne. Thus it is of utmost importance to make a proper diagnosis.
Often parents are given the scare that thier daughter is going to be infertile, which is absolutely wrong. If the condition is managed properly, the PCOS girls can have babies, sometimes with the help of treatment. PCOS also often gets blamed for causing abdominal pain which again is not true. In a young adolescent with PCOS and abdominal pain, other reasons for the pain should also be investigated.
Regarding the role of medications in PCOS, parents are often reluctant to administer medicines to thier young children. I can categorically say that lifestyle changes and exercise is usually sufficient to control the symptoms and to prevent its progression. The adolescents have to be counselled regarding proper healthy diet and avoid all junk foods. At the same time a certain group of adolescents will definitely require medications which are quite safe and will help prevent long term complications of PCOS.
Related Articles
Know All About Endometriosis
Pregnancy in COVID times: When you’re expecting during a pandemic
GYNECOMASTIA
Polycystic Ovarian Disease
Health Tips for Pregnant Women
Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Signs, Triggers and Remedies
Are demands of modern life making women unhealthier?
Other Articles
What you should know about COVID-19 vaccination in Children
The necessity of assessing bone health in children with chronic illness
Scientific Benefits of fasting during Ramadan
Ramadan Recipes
Know All About Endometriosis
The way we think of cancer: what needs to change?
Pregnancy in COVID times: When you’re expecting during a pandemic
Working Women’s mental health in a ‘new normal’ of COVID era
WFH And Healthy Snacking – What Healthy Snacking Looks Like
Skin Care in Middle Aged Women
Skin care in adolescent girls and young ladies
Skin Care for Elderly Women
Psychological problems faced by men of different ages and ways to deal with them
Managing Thyroid Health with Key Nutrients
Healthy Summer Treats for Kids: They will actually demand for more of these
Covid-19 and Diabetes: Expert tips and diet plan
Cancer Care During Covid-19
Best stretching exercises to stay fit at home
Osteoporosis-Silent thief-BeAware
DO YOU HAVE A MIGRAINE HEADACHE & CAN IT CAUSE DIZZINESS:-
Lifestyle Choices : Understanding dilemmas of working women
What is limb reconstruction ?
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE AN ABNORMAL FOETAL ECHO?
NON-SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF CONGENITAL HEART DISEASES
How to take care of your health amidst COVID 19 pandemic
ABDOMINOPLASTY
GYNECOMASTIA
Congenital Heart Disease (CHD): What You Should Know
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
Cosmetic Surgeries After Weight loss
High Blood Pressure and Your Health
Glucose Meters are Your Ally
Chemical Peel: Discover Radiant, Youthful Skin
Scoliosis In Children: How Corrective Surgery Can Transform Lives
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): A Growing Epidemic in Kerala
NIPAH VIRUS INFECTION: BE INFORMED, BE SAFE
World Health Day 2018
Understanding Autism Helps Early Detection
Have The Right Amount Of Carbohydrates And Fats To Keep Your Heart Healthy
Cancer In The Elderly: Adopting A Holistic Approach
Women And Kidney Diseases
Epilepsy: The Reality
Cancer- no more a crab!
Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Helping People With Lung Diseases Live An Active Life
Obesity In Indians
Diabetes- What We Should Know?
Pneumonia: What You Should Know?
9 Ways To Prevent Neck Pain
The Simple Step To Good Health
Angioplasty for Chronic Total Occlusions (CTOs)
Understanding Alzheimers disease
TAKE A MINUTE, CHANGE A LIFE – SUICIDE PREVENTION AND YOU
Polycystic Ovarian Disease
Cancer Of The Cervix And How To Prevent It
Key Hole Spine Surgery: Making Spine Surgery Easier
Vitiligo: What You Should Know
Kidney Transplantation - A Second Chance At Life
Dialysis: A Life Sustaining Treatment For End Stage Kidney Failure Patients
Understanding Carotid Endarterectomy
Laparoscopic Surgery: What To Expect
Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery
Back Pain In Children: Never Ignore The Problem
The Diabetic Foot: A Surgical Perspective
Chronic Kidney Disease: The Silent Killer
Laser Surgery: The Effective Way To Treat Prostate Enlargement
Male Infertility: What You Should Know
Prostate Cancer: Ten Facts You Should Know
Walking on metal knees
Are You Sleeping Well?
Complex Coronary Angioplasty
Good Mental Health: An Overview
How does ‘bad’ cholesterol affect brain function?
Some Types of Blood Pressure Medications
IBD: Do you know the signs and symptoms?
Colorectal Cancer: What You Should Know
Healthy tips for your heart’s sake
Adding years to life after a coronary artery bypass surgery
What you need to know about osteoarthritis
Tetanus : what you should know
Stomach Cancer : Be Informed
Depression : Overcome it!
Smile healthy
Chicken Pox : How to manage the infection
Gastric Ulceration - Causes, Risk Factors and Symptoms
Lung Cancer: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments
Neck Pain: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
PET/CT Scan: A New World of Diagnosing and Treating Patients
All You Need To Know About Cervical Spondylosis
Why do Panic Attacks Happen?
Malnutrition : facts you should know
Advanced medical linear accelerators help fight cancer faster, smarter and with precision
February 4: World Cancer Day
Breast Cancer: Symptoms, Causes and Risk Factors
Bells Palsy: Symptoms, Causes and Risk Factors
Changing The Experience Of Surgery
Tuberculosis: Causes, Symptoms and Prevention
Health Tips for Pregnant Women
Tips to tackle burns instantly and minimize scarring
Dengue : Stay Protected
Rabies: Causes, Symptoms and Protection
Dyslexia Guide for Parents and Teachers
Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Signs, Triggers and Remedies
Lower back pain: Causes and Symptoms
Bronchitis: Symptoms, Causes and Precautions
How To Deal With Allergies
Does Prolonged Cold Indicate A Sinus Infection?
What to expect from a Knee Replacement Treatment?
World AIDS Day - December 1
Malaria – Symptoms, Causes and Facts
Keep your home germ-free
Tackling Dandruff
Tips to stay healthy during winters
Healthy living and Diabetes
Breast-feeding reduces the risk of diabetes in children
Schizophrenia : Symptoms, Causes and Myths
Asthma : Causes, Symptoms & Self-Help Tips
Vaccination : keep your child healthy
Take care - children tend to swallow dangerous objects!
5 signs of ear infection in children
Celebrate a healthy and safe Diwali!
October 20 : World Osteoporosis Day
How to avoid feeling sleepy in the afternoon.
A great day begins with a healthy breakfast
World Arthritis Day: Get a free check-up* at Aster Medcity
Understanding ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
Protect your hair against sun damage
Migraine – Symptoms, Triggers and Treatment
Call Aster Heartline: Start caring for your heart
Only you can take care of yourself.
Are demands of modern life making women unhealthier?
Kidney Stones Causes and Remedies
Hepatitis A and B – Symptoms, Transmission and Prevention
Sweet fact: Chocolates are good for you.
Too strict on your kids? They can become obese!
Are you a diabetic? Make sure you don't fall prey to these 7 problems.
7 Fertility Myths Couples Need to Stop Believing
May your eyes live on.
