PCOS in Teen?

[LadyEuphemia]

My DD is 18 and autistic so tends not to care about her appearance too much and generally has sensory issues around her skin. Her acne has been getting worse (but she never looks after her skin) so today I persuaded her to let me give her a facial. I was really shocked to see she had a couple of absolutely massive hairs on her chin. She has long hair she hides behind so it’s generally impossible to see her face, which is why I hadn’t noticed.

Her periods are regular, but they are painful probably more than the average person, but they’ve gotten much better over the last couple of years - her mid teens were awful. She’s not overweight at all, she’s about a size 10.

I don’t want to scare her, and she has a massive distrust of GP’s. So before I stress her out by taking her to the Dr, am I completely over-reacting and being paranoid over a couple of chin hairs? Are there any other symptoms I should be looking for?

I've only idea on this one sorry, although it is possible to have polycystic ovaries and be slim, I know I was.

My DD definitely developed PCOS in her teens, but took several years to be diagnosed. She was very slim but had gained a huge amount of weight by the time she was diagnosed which she has found difficult to lose, I would definitely get it checked sooner rather than later.

The acne itself is a symptom, which we didn’t realise with DD even though she had been on antibiotics for it as it was severe.

Thank you both so much, that’s really useful to know. When she’s got the stress of her A Levels over, I’ll get her to the GP for a check up.

How is PCOS diagnosed pleased? Can it be picked up easily with an ultrasound scan? If so, that's not invasive and OP's daughter might be able to cope with that.

I have an autistic 18 yr old and atm the GP will let me speak to them about my DC (their records show that DC has authorised to share info with me) - perhaps you could have a chat with the GP in the first place? I also suspect a blood test would be needed, would your daughter manage that? Good luck.

Mine was diagnosed with an ultra sound but they were actually looking for something else so I don't know if that's the usual method of diagnosis.

An ultrasound to check for PCOS would most probably be transvaginal

As it's a condition with many variables blood tests would be needed and observation of symptoms. Not all people have all symptoms

@PineappleCakes I had to have an internal scan to be diagnosed with certainty, but that was nearly 20 years ago and they were investigating why I had had several miscarriages. My sister was diagnosed more recently and didn't have an internal. That said, my hairy chops are more male pattern facial hair with sideburns and a tache, not just a couple on my chin, so she may be OK.

The method of diagnosis is ultrasound and blood test.
When I went for my ultrasound they couldn’t see my ovaries clearly so had to go inside. I don’t know what it’s called but it was like a big dildo with loads of lube on it. Didn’t hurt but was quite uncomfortable and embarrassing.

Also, what would be the point in your DD knowing? Wouldn’t it just worry her? I take it she won’t be ttc for a long time.

I've just been diagnosed with PCOS and they diagnosed me through an internal ultrasound and blood tests to check hormone levels. I think the symptoms vary because I'm overweight but not spotty and have only one hair at my nipple and one on my chin but my sister also has it and is slim but has acne and quite a few hairs on her chin and around her nipples.

I had an internal ultrasound to diagnose PCOS. My blood tests had come back normal but the scan confirmed it. I'm a size 10 and do struggle to maintain my weight but not to the same extent as most PCOS sufferers. I have excess body and facial hair and over the years when I wasn't on the pill, my hair got increasingly thin on the crown with a lot of it only growing a few inches long. My skin is also really really oily when I'm not using the pill. By 10am my makeup would be siding off of my face. Still dealing with cystic acne in my 30s too.

My dd had tests for this. As others have said they would do blood tests and a scan. They get a better picture with the internal scan but my dd always had abdominal ones as she was quite young. I have pcos and wasn’t diagnosed until my 30s, would rather have known earlier. My dd turns out has high androgens but not pcos.

That’s super useful everyone, thanks for all insight. There is no way in hell she’ll have an internal ultrasound, so that might be out, but she’d be ok with an abdominal one. Blood tests she’d maybe be ok with if they numb it up.

@PineappleCakes I hope your daughter gets on ok with the GP, and the tests go ok.

@fairynick it’s not so much about the fertility issues (although she is very positive on wanting to be a mother when she’s older), it’s more the risk of endometrial cancer, insulin resistant etc it can bring if it’s left unchecked. I have a couple of friends it’s affected that way, which maybe why I’m a bit paranoid about it. I hope I’m wrong and she just needs to wash her face a bit and it’s a couple of chin hairs!