16-year-old, Newly Diagnosed

[EmmyJN]

Hello, everyone! I am new to this forum because I was just diagnosed with PCOS last week.

Today, I got the papers in the mail from my doctor about getting treatment from the Adolecent Health Specialist at Children's Hospital, where I am treated for other problems. I have liver pain, kidney pain, headaches, and frequent problems with my GI tract.

I would like to know anything you can tell me about this problem. I'm 16 and not sexually active, so how did this happen to me? Can PCOS ever go away? What can I do for treatment? What am I looking at in the long run, as far as my health?

Thanks so much for any responses I get. I'm alone in this and scared, my mom and I don't know where to turn next.

[EmmyJN]

Thank you so much!

I found that surgery thing on the internet and I was wondering, should I get that done, does that get rid of the cysts forever? Or will they come back later?

Thanks again for your help!

~ Em

[Lion9008]

Hi, Emmy. I was diagnosed around your age, the week of my 17th birthday to be exact. I remember how scared I was then.
PCOS doesn't have anything to do with being sexually active. It is characterized by a hormonal imbalance, specifically the sex hormones. This imbalance can cause changes in the menstrual cycle, acne, hirsutism (AKA a lot of hair where there is usually only a minimum amount like on the back), ovarian cysts, and infertility. Those with PCOS are also at an increased risk of developing insulin resistance (will have high blood sugar) which can lead to diabetes.
It depends on your particular case as to how you will be treated. For instance, I take metformin and spironolactone. These two medications work by decreasing hormones call androgens. Decreasing these androgens will decrease the ovarian cysts, acne, and hirsutism. Metformin will decrease blood sugar as well. I have also just undergone surgery to remove cysts and had an ovarian drill to, as my doctor said, give my ovary a fresh start. I find out Monday if I will be put on birth control as well. Each person is different. My sister also has PCOS, but her case is mild compared to mine. At first, she was on a lower dose of metformin, but she now takes only a birth control. Your doctor will figure out the best treatment for you. I think it is great that you will be able to see an adolescent specialist; I know I wish I had seen one (I had trouble finding the right doctor until 1 year ago; I LOVE mine now). I hope this helps, and I was able to answer a few of your questions.