To think it’s not polycystic ovaries syndrome?

[Ilovemycatalot]

Posting here for traffic .
Basically my dd 15 has been having irregular periods for over a year think one every couple of months sometimes slightly longer. No other symptoms. Went for an ultrasound which discovered her ovaries are not releasing eggs every month as they should and eggs are building up on her ovaries. The lady that done the scan was very vague and said we have to discuss this with our dr which we have an appt for. Also did a blood test which we have results for but was not told yet just a message to say make a face to face appointment with GP to discuss results. Now my dd is upset thinking she has PCOS. However she is very slim no facial hair etc which are symptoms of PCOS. Can anyone give any advice as I really don’t think it’s this but not sure anyone has had anything similar?

There are multiple types. I got diagnosed with PCOS recently when trying to get pregnant. My consultant thinks I’ve always had it, based on questions about my cycle etc. No facial hair, no hormonal imbalance, no weight issues. They call it ‘slim PCOS’. The only symptom really is the lack of ovulation.

My dd is more concerned about the weight gain associated with it than anything else right now hope you have success with your pregnancy journey I don’t think my dd is really thinking about the fertility side of it all right now but obviously is a worry for the future.

The weight gain is due to insulin resistance caused by hormonal imbalance. It doesn’t sound like she has that aspect of PCOS so tell her not to worry :)

Unless your dd started her periods when she was 7, they should not be using ultrasound to assess for poly cystic ovaries on your dd. “Ultrasound should not be used for the diagnosis of PCOS in those with a gynaecological age of < 8 years (< 8 years after menarche), due to the high incidence of multi-follicular ovaries in this life stage”. If your GP suspect’s PCOS they should refer your daughter to a paediatric gynaecologist.

https://www.monash.edu/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/1412644/PCOS_Evidence-Based-Guidelines_20181009.pdf

Pcos is a 2 out of 3 diagnosis.
Irregular period
Polycystic ovaries
Hormone imbalance.
It’s any 2 out of those 3. Not everyone with PCOS experiences weight gain, hair growth, balding etc
However I wouldn’t put much stock into irregular periods at only 15. I’m would be surprised if a doctor said explicitly it was pcos at this time.

A friend of mine has PCOS, diagnoses as a teen and has never been overweight.

The ‘gold standard’ test for PCOS is to do a scan and see whether there are eggs building up in the ovaries that haven’t been released. You’ve had the scan and found that is the case so it is 100% PCOS.

She won’t have other symptoms but when she is in her forties facial hair and weight gain may be an issue yes.

Actually to be fair I forgot we’re talking about a child here so what do I know 🤷‍♀️

I didn't have weight issues till my late 30s. Never had hair problems.

Always had irregular periods and needed onus to get pregnant.

None of this is true. The ‘gold standard’ is not simply a scan. All the scan tells you is whether polycystic ovaries are present but you can have polycystic ovaries and not have PCOS. They are different things.

There are plenty of symptoms of pcos so ‘she won’t have other symptoms’ isn’t at all true either.

The international evidence based guidelines from 2018 use 2 out of 3 set criteria but this is for adults. In someone her age, polycystic ovarian morphology on an USS is not reliable. However PCOS is the most common endocrine condition in reproductive aged women so it very well might be. If you are concerned, ask your GP for referral to a paediatric endocrinologist. The management in children is very different! Re the weight gain, we know from studies published in the 1990’s that women with PCOS have an intrinsic defect in how they respond to calories etc so it’s not as simple as eating less etc although exercise and a healthy diet can help

I was 19 when I was officially diagnosed with pcos. I was also a size 6-8 during my teens, no unwanted hair. Just irregular periods (maybe 4 a year). It is not always typical symptoms.
Diet has made a difference to my sugar levels (follow Michael Moseley 5:2 and blood sugar diet). It has made a difference to my cycle and mood.
My experience is that GPs are pretty useless with doing anything about pcos.

I have PCOS and was diagnosed very young and put on the pill. I was tiny size 6-8 until about 16 then and 8 until I became a 10 in my early 20s. I had no facial hair, no issues with weight. I started to put on weight when I couldn’t have a child with each ivf cycle I put on around 7lbs and then ate more because I was sad and unhappy. So my fault though it’s very difficult to lose the weight once it is on. I have also now been diagnosed with Crohn’s in my 30s and with the steroid weight gain on top of already gained weight my username was born!

I also read this book in my early 20s and really helped me adjust my diet to help my mood and overall just have a better understanding of what PCOS was.

I was told I have PCOS, I had extremely irregular periods (2 a year or so) for many years. I have always been slim and not overly hairy! from what I understand you can have the polycystic ovaries but without the ‘syndrome’ aspect.

DD was diagnosed at 14. I have pcos so her combination of irregular periods and acne led the GP to test her too.
She has no facial hair at all and is slim. I've never had acne or facial hair but my weight has been an issue since I was a child.

I was told at 19 I have PCOS, but I do not believe that I do. I have polycystic ovaries, but you can have these without PCOS. Just like your daughter I was and still am slim and no excess hair, and my blood results at the time came back as normal for hormones. I remember I was able to view my results online but obvs it's different for everyone, the doctor might just want to say the results are normal. She is 15 so it's not too unusual to have irregular periods at that age. I started at 13ish and was not regular for a couple of years. I was devastated too when they said I had PCOS due to the weight thing and potential for bad acne but here I am, as thin as a rake and with reasonably clear skin and no unwanted hair. I think you would know to be honest if her hormones were not normal as they are looking for excess androgens and I think you would be able to tell from looking as she would have extra hair and possibly thinning hair/receding hairline.

I had pcos. Always had irregular periods but only got the diagnosis when having difficulties getting pregnant. I had no other symptoms apart from irregular periods so your daughter doesn’t need to worry if it is pcos. I was very slim and no facial hair etc. Also had two children, one with help of clomid one with no assistance

Is your daughter underweight, exercise too much, or restricts her calorie intake? All of those can cause irregular menstruation (or period completely stopping).

I have pcos and I do have facial hair (if I don't sort it out) but have always been under a size 12, currently a size 8. Very irregular periods around 15 but they did settle down and I used to have very bad acne but the Yasmin birth control pill regulated my cycle and my skin. I came off it 10 years ago for TTC but cycle, skin and weight have remained ok. I am just mindful that I am prone to insulin issues to do try to eat low GI.

This is nonsense. All of it.

There is no ‘gold standard’ test for PCOS. It’s diagnosed only if a number of criteria are met. Here are the NICE guidelines for PCOS diagnosis:

• In adults, PCOS should be diagnosed if two out of three of the following criteria are present, provided other causes of menstrual disturbance and hyperandrogenism have been excluded:
• Clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism.
• Oligo-anovulation or anovulation.
• Polycystic ovaries, defined as the presence of 12 or more follicles (measuring 2–9 mm in diameter) in one or both ovaries and/or increased ovarian volume (more than 10 cm3).
• When diagnosing PCOS in adolescents, tighter criteria requiring both hyperandrogenism and irregular menstrual cycles is recommended due to the overlap with normal pubertal reproductive physiology.

And no, when you’re in your 40s you don’t suddenly switch subtypes and end up with facial hair and excess weight. FFS. Can only assume you’re a troll.

Both of my DD have PCOS, neither of them have facial hair or are overweight, that’s a very old fashioned thought. Both of them have very irregular, occasional periods.

Is she underweight, OP?

Really interesting reading everyone's different experience of PCOS diagnosis.

Would anyone consider sharing their experience with this new women's health platform that's trying to drive more research into women's health issues?

https://thelowdown.com/pcos/all-reviews?&utmsource=forums&utmm_medium=fran