In the early stage of adolescence, irregular menstruation and an anovulation often occurs. During this period, some adolescent women suffer from hyperandrogenemia, which results in acne, adiposity, and hirsutism. If adequate treatment is not given to these hyperandrogenic young women, severe hirsutism and polycystic ovary (PCO), which could be a proximate cause of juvenile endometrial carcinoma, might occur. Young women with hyperandrogenemia show increased levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) levels and free testosterone (T)/total T ratio, and a decreased level of steroid hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in serum. Low-dose oral contraceptives might reduce the hormone unbalance and hyperandrogenemia without leading to negative effects in the ovarian function of adolescent women.
PIP: Irregular menstrual cycles are common in young adolescent females. Some young women suffer from hyperandrogenemia, which results in acne, increased body hair, and increased body weight. If left untreated, severe hirsutism and polycystic ovary might ensue. This paper reviews literature on the usefulness of oral contraceptives (OCs) in treating hyperandrogenemic adolescent women. In these adolescent women, serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) levels are significantly higher than in sexually mature women. In adolescent women with a menstrual cycle lasting more than 37 days, the serum concentration of pituitary gonadotropins and sex hormones was significantly higher than in adolescent women with normal-length (26-32 days) cycles. Multi-microcystic ovaries have been found in 35% of adolescent women with normal cycles, in 57.9% of women with irregular menstruation, and in 84.6% of women with amenorrhea. These polycystic ovaries were thought to be at increased risk of developing infertility and endometrial cancer. Treatment with low-dose OCs containing progestin had fewer androgenic side effects and proved useful. Low-dose estrogen-based OCs were also effective but had greater androgenic reactivity. In conclusion, low-dose OCs are suitable for treating a variety of adolescent menstrual irregularities.