Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) usually begins during the teenage or young adult years.
It causes symptoms such as hair growth on the face or chest, acne, andirregular periods.
This article reviews how to diagnose and manage PCOS in teenagers.
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Diagnosis
Symptoms of PCOS usually appear during the teenage or young adult years.
Your healthcare provider may do an ultrasound of your ovaries to check forcysts, which are common in PCOS.
To get the best view, atransvaginal ultrasoundmay be used.
This is where the ultrasound probe is placed into the vagina instead of on top of the abdomen.
Ovarian cysts can occur with PCOS, although they aren’t necessary for a diagnosis.
Managing weight can help reduce some of the hormonal imbalances for some people who have PCOS.
It’s also important that you talk to your healthcare provider if you aren’t getting a regular period.
Your practitioner might prescribe thebirth control pillor other hormonal supplements to ensure that you get a regular period.
Often, procedures or medications can help reduce these effects.
Richardson MR.Current perspectives in polycystic ovary syndrome.Am Fam Physician; 68(4):697-704.
Penn Medicine.5 myths about polycystic ovary syndrome.