Teen PCOS diagnosis

[Redtulip2]

My 14 year old dd has just been diagnosed with this, following blood tests and an ultrasound. I'm shocked, I thought it only affected over weight people. She's actually under weight with a BMI of 17.

She has a lot of problems with her periods being irregular, incredibly painful and often has pelvic pain at other times of the month.

She has more hair than she'd like, but I treat this for her with laser removal, so it's not too much of an issue.

Apparently the scan shows she has "lots" of cysts. I'm gutted for her. It's not like she can lose weight to help her symptoms. She's incredibly active and competes in sports.

Has anyone else had a teen diagnosed with this? Did they take medication? If so, what was it? I have so many questions but the GP who gave her the diagnosis was so abrupt on the phone I didn't get the chance to ask them. I'm worried for her future fertility too.

I sound similar to your teen but I am in my thirties now. I was underweight when a teenager now I am average. I conceived with no problems and over time I have found things that help (look into starflower oil, tweezers in the car!).

It isn't something that impacts me very much and I rarely think about it. About 1/10 women have it.

Contraception to help regulate periods will be a game changer if they are irregular.

I hope this provides some comfort that PCOS isn't necessarily a big deal but of course everyone is different.

Thank you both for your replies. It's reassuring that you've been able to conceive. I think she might end up going on the pill, just to give her a break from the really heavy bleeding she has and the intense pain, it's been that bad that she's vomited or passed out some months.

Feel so helpless, wish I could take it for her, I wouldn't hesitate to. I'm just shocked that she has pcos, I expected, if anything, for it to be endometriosis. I'm relieved it doesn't seem to be that though.

PCOS sufferer here - i believe i had PCOS in my teens although it took me until my late 20s to be formally diagnosed after seeing many doctors. I would say to look into something called Lean PCOS. Also if she can maintain her weight, it will hugely help her symptoms. When i was slimmer, my PCOS was not really an issue - but it can cause insulin resistance and now im in my late 30s, i am very overweight and struggling to lose it, which is making a horrible cycle of then making the PCOS worse.

I also have a daughter - i did have fertility troubles and conceived her using a drug called Letrozole. But even if your daughter does need to go down that route (which she might not), it is better she knows sooner rather than later. Knowing conceiving might be an issue helped me weed out some partners who were in less of a rush and helped me find someone who was also serious about a family.

When i was first diagnosed, i was referred to an endocrinology consultant, who i saw for a year. They were so much more knowledgeable than the GP. Not sure if this still happens but something to maybe enquire about?

I was diagnosed as a teen and wished there was more info/awareness of PCOS back then. A great UK charity who also has Facebook groups to support girls/women with PCOS is called verity, and check out healthyPCOS with drew on social media for great information and advice. It sucks to have pcos but managed correctly doesn't always mean fertility issues/weight issues etc

I have PCOS which was diagnosed when I was 16, I was unaware until a few years ago that the cysts come and go. I have times where its not really a problem and others where it causes more issues but is very manageable, and I conceived both my children with no issue.

Can I ask how you went about getting your DD diagnosed? Mine struggles with similar issues and GP is absolutely refusing to refer her for any tests, saying it's normal at this age. (?! That amount of pain is definitely not normal!)

Also diagnosed as a teen. I was put on metformin to help with insulin resistance but that was because I struggled to lose weight. I wasn't able to conceive but that is okay because I'm now child free by choice anyway.

There will be help if she wants children eventually. Victoria Beckham has PCOS so definitely not just overnight women. In fact it is usually the other way around, insulin resistance causes the weight gain

PCOS is genetic, not related to being overweight. But it can often lead to becoming overweight, as sufferers often have some insulin resistance. I recommend inositol, a supplement you can buy easily. It helps the body regulate insulin and doesn't have side effects. It regulated my periods within three months and helps me maintain a healthy weight. I don't take anything else for my pcos, and I wouldn't even know I had it now - it's symptomless.

I’ve got PCOS and am not overweight, I didn’t get a diagnosis until my early 20s despite having so many obvious symptoms, as (at least back then) doctors always seemed to assume you had to be overweight to have it! So it’s great in a way that your daughter has got her diagnosis young and can take control of the situation now.

As others have said it can be related to insulin resistance, and same as the poster above I highly recommend an inositol supplement. I was able to get a pretty much regular (if slightly long) cycle using it and was able to conceive on my first try!

@Redtulip2 hi. I’m positive my daughter has it and am awaiting blood tests/possible scan. I’m reluctant to try the pill or medication at this stage. Her periods have vanished, so no pain or discomfort really. I’m trying to find a dietician with specialist expertise. How is your daughter?
@Pinksorrel i will try the supplements. She doesn’t eat much more than her sister but weighs quite a bit more. There’s not a lot out there for teens in terms of info. It all seems to be about losing weight or getting pregnant, and I don’t want to fixate on the weight thing at this point.

her hair is thinning which she is quite upset about. 😢

You need to research PCOS. Being overweight does not cause it but having pcos can lead to being overweight.

I weighed 49kg when I was diagnosed 30+ years ago.

Most likely she will go on the pill to mange her periods.

I was diagnosed when I went to uni, I had awful acne which cleared up in 3 days of starting Yasmin (pill). I've always been a healthy weight and have had 2 DC. I was told at 28 to 'get on with it' by the gynaecologist because she said my fertility would dip quicker than most but I had dc1 at 30 and DC2 at 34 with no huge issue in conceiving. The main issue I hate is the hair, get her a home laser.