Anxiety and Depression in Adolescent PCOS

Overview

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder in adolescent females, often accompanied by psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression. These conditions are frequently underdiagnosed and untreated. This study aims to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression in adolescents with PCOS and to assess changes following oral contraceptive use.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, characterized by heterogeneous complications. It is increasingly prevalent among adolescent females today. Women with PCOS may experience infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods, excessive hair growth, acne, and obesity. The rising prevalence of PCOS in the general population affects approximately 5-10% of women of reproductive age worldwide (1). A significant proportion of women with PCOS-particularly adolescent girls-experience major depressive disorder. Although the exact cause of PCOS remains unknown, early diagnosis and treatment, along with weight loss, can reduce the risk of long-term complications. Depression and anxiety are common in women with PCOS; however, their frequency has often been overlooked, leaving many cases untreated (2). In addition to physical symptoms, various mental health problems are also associated with PCOS (3). The diagnosis of PCOS is established when at least two of the following criteria are present: amenorrhea/oligomenorrhea, hyperandrogenism (clinical or biochemical), and a polycystic ovarian appearance on ultrasound (4). Psychosocial problems are particularly common among obese adolescents and those with excessive hair growth. The rationale of this study is to investigate the prevalence of this often-overlooked comorbidity and to evaluate changes following OCS (oral contraceptive) use.

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes