ABSTRACT
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most frequent cause of hyperandrogenism, irregular menses, and oligo-ovulation in adult women as well as among adolescents. It is estimated that 8 % of the 18-25-year-old female population have the condition. 1 There is evidence to suggest that PCOS begins at puberty, when some of the clinical and metabolic abnormalities can be identified and usually progress into adulthood. However, the uniqueness of the adolescent and pediatric gynecological patient is that the PCOS features may be difficult to distinguish from symptoms of the end of puberty since they both overlap at times. The diagnosis of PCOS in an adolescent who shows signs and symptoms of hyperandrogenism and/or oligomenorrhea requires the same level of strict application of diagnostic criteria as is done for adults. The prompt diagnosis of PCOS is important, so we do not delay therapy to these young women given the limitations of our understanding of the disease and current diagnostic technology.
