PCOS in teenage girls

Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome represent about 5%-10% of the population, and it cause various problems including high insulin, high testosterone, facial hair, obesity, abnormal cholesterol and lip levels, and as a result, infertility, diabetes and heart issues. My diabetes is, in fact, an outgrowth of this disorder. Although PCOS has been studied in adult women, it usually begins with puberty, and so this study looked at it in adolescent girls, using metformin (Glucophage) to see how the classic symptoms were changed. Studies in adult women show, for example, that a woman's chances of getting pregnant and having regular menses is much higher on metformin. This study looked at things like lipid and insulin profiles, testosterone levels, and body mass index. In the study, high-density lipoprotein ('good cholesterol') dramatically rose testosterone decreased, and it also affected the menses. Other changes were not stastistically significant, but that may be a factor of how early the disease is in this cases.

Anyway, if you're looking for PCOS info, especially if you're young (I was orginally diagnosed at 19, although they didn't treat it the same then), check it out. If you can't get full-text through your local library, their interlibrary loan programme should be able to get a copy for you.

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med -- Abstract: Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Metformin for Adolescents With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, March 2006, Bridger et al. 160 (3): 241