Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Adolescents

KIRSTEN STOESSER

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Aug 1, 2004

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Letters to the Editor

Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Adolescents

KIRSTEN STOESSER, M.D.,

University of Utah Department of Family and Preventive Medicine 50 N. Medical Dr. Salt Lake City, UT 84132

American Family Physician. 2004;70(3):447.

to the editor: The article¹ on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by Dr. Richardson in the August 15, 2003, issue of American Family Physician was an excellent review of the diagnosis, treatment, and currently recognized long-term sequelae of the disease. The author acknowledged that young women may have symptoms of PCOS and that these symptoms can begin as early as puberty. The article¹ effectively discussed treatment strategies for adult women; however, it did not address options for affected adolescents. It should be noted that there is a small yet growing body of knowledge regarding the efficacy and tolerability of treatment for adolescents with PCOS. Given the long-term adverse effects of this condition, it makes sense to begin counseling and treatment as soon as possible.

All patients, including adolescents, should be counseled regarding diet, exercise, and maintaining an appropriate weight. The use of oral contraceptive pills is one treatment option that has been used in the adolescent population for irregular menses and should be considered for treatment of PCOS in this age group. Recent studies investigating metformin therapy in adolescents with PCOS or PCOS symptoms have shown that metformin improves glucose tolerance,² normalizes menses,^3,4,5 results in resumption of ovulation,^3,4 improves insulin sensitivity, reduces elevated androgen levels,^2,4 improves lipid profiles,⁵ and decreases hirsutism.⁵ Additionally, metformin is generally well tolerated.^2,3,5 Further research with larger, randomized controlled trials will expand our scope of the treatment possibilities for adolescents with PCOS.

KIRSTEN STOESSER, M.D.

University of Utah Department of Family and Preventive Medicine

50 N. Medical Dr.

Salt Lake City, UT 84132

1.Richardson MR. Current perspectives in polycystic ovary syndrome. Am Fam Physician. 2003;68:697-704.
2.Arslanian SA, Lewy V, Danadian K, Saad R. Metformin therapy in obese adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome and impaired glucose tolerance: amelioration of exaggerated adrenal response to adrenocorticotropin with reduction of insulinemia/insulin resistance. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002;87:1555-9.
3.Ibanez L, Valls C, Ferrer A, Marcos MV, Rodriguez-Hierro F, de Zegher F. Sensitization to insulin induces ovulation in nonobese adolescents with anovulatory hyperandrogenism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001;86:3595-8.
4.Glueck CJ, Wang P, Fontaine R, Tracy T, Sieve-Smith L. Metformin to restore normal menses in oligo-amenorrheic teenage girls with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). J Adolesc Health. 2001;29:160-9.
5.Ibanez L, Valls C, Potau N, Marcos MV, de Zegher F. Sensitization to insulin in adolescent girls to normalize hirsutism, hyperandrogenism, oligomenorrhea, dyslipidemia, and hyperinsulinism after precocious pubarche. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2000;85:3526-30.

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This series is coordinated by Kenny Lin, MD, MPH, deputy editor.