Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Treatment

St. Joseph’s Adolescent Medicine Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona specializes in the treatment of adolescent menstrual disorders, including polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormone imbalance that can cause irregular periods, unwanted hair growth and acne. It begins during a girl’s teen years and can be mild or severe.

Symptoms Of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome In Teens

Teen girls who suffer from this commonly have one or more signs, including:

• Irregular periods that may come every few months, not at all or too frequent
• Extra hair on the face or other parts of the body
• Acne
• Weight gain and/or trouble losing weight
• Patches of dark skin on the back of the neck and other areas (c)alled acanthosis nigricans
• Many girls also have high levels of insulin

Treatment Of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

The most common form of treatment for PCOS is oral contraceptives, which may include the birth control pill, vaginal ring or the patch. Oral contraceptives may be prescribed because they contain the hormones that the teen’s body needs to treat PCOS.

Taking birth control pills either continuously or in cycles will help correct the hormone imbalance, lower the level of testosterone (which will improve acne and lessen hair growth), regulate the menstrual cycle, and lower the risk of endometrial cancer.

Another treatment possibility is Metformin. Metformin is a medicine which helps the body lower the insulin level. It is particularly helpful in girls who have high levels of insulin or who have pre-diabetes or diabetes. Some girls are treated with both Metformin and birth control pills at the same time.

Learn More About The Adolescent Medicine Clinic 

To learn more about how St. Joseph’s Adolescent Medicine Clinic can help, call (602) 406-7564.