Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): How to Care for Your Teen

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a problem with a female's hormones that causes irregular or missed periods. It may also cause someone to be overweight, have acne, grow extra body and facial hair, and have other problems. Treatment can make symptoms better and usually includes birth control pills and making diet and physical activity changes. Use these instructions to help your teen.

• If the health care provider prescribed any medicines, help your teen use them as directed.

• Help everyone in the home make healthy diet and activity choices:

  • Cook healthy meals with lean meats like chicken and pork and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Let your teen be involved in planning meals, going to the grocery store, and cooking.

  • Eat together as a family as often as possible.

  • Don't keep soda and other sugary drinks in the home.

  • Model good eating habits by eating only when hungry, having reasonable portions, and stopping when you are full.

  • Talk to your teen about healthy choices when eating away from home. To keep portions reasonable, they can share a meal or bring leftovers home for the next day.

  • Be physically active as a family. Go for walks, play catch, and ride bikes together.

  • Create a family screen time plan that helps your teen limit their screen time. Set a good example by limiting your own screen time.

• If your teen is bothered by face or body hair, help them look at different options such as shaving, depilatory creams, tweezing, waxing, electrolysis, or laser hair removal. They can also talk to their health care provider about medicines that can help.

• Follow your health care provider's recommendations for when to follow up and whether your teen needs to see any specialists.

Your teen: 

• is thirstier than usual or has unexplained weight loss or weight gain 

• seems anxious or depressed

• has severe acne that doesn't improve with treatment.

Can someone with PCOS get pregnant? Yes. Although it may be harder to get pregnant, it can still happen. So if your teen is sexually active, make sure they use a reliable method of birth control. For females who want to get pregnant, treatments can help.

What causes PCOS? The exact cause of PCOS is not known. Normally, an egg is released from the ovary about every month (called ovulation). But in PCOS, hormone imbalances prevent the egg from being released. The follicles (cysts) that hold the eggs build up in the ovaries. One of the hormones that is out of balance is the male hormone, testosterone. There is too much of it and it can cause acne, weight gain, and extra face/body hair.

What other problems can happen in PCOS? People with PCOS are more likely to develop high blood pressure, high cholesterol, insulin resistance (trouble regulating glucose, which can lead to type 2 diabetes), and sleep apnea. Weight loss can often help with these problems, as can some medicines. It isn't clear why, but teens with PCOS are more likely to have anxiety or depression. Talking to a therapist can help them feel better. Talking with others with PCOS is a great way to share information about treatment and get support. Ask your health care provider or search online for a local support group.