Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that impacts women of reproductive age, and has been linked to causing health complications including high blood pressure, heart disease, and even infertility. Generally, we probably think of “reproductive age” as being 20-30, but scientifically, reproductive age actually starts as early as puberty. This means that PCOS can show up as soon as a girl gets her first period! Though many women with PCOS don’t get diagnosed until WAY later (if at all), most will tell you there were signs in adolescence. 

PCOS can be hard to diagnose, and a lot of doctors aren’t even sure how to look for it in young women. So, it’s super important to know the symptoms so that you can look out for them in your teens and help advocate for proper testing if necessary! Small lifestyle changes can make a big impact on your PCOS, and it’s best to learn to manage it young to help prevent any chronic symptoms or long-term complications. 

So, today I’m talking about some common PCOS red flags in teenagers! Here are the symptoms you should look out for: 

10 PCOS Symptoms In Teenagers to Look Out For

If you have PCOS, it goes without saying that you’re being highly aware of PCOS symptoms in your adolescent daughter. PCOS does run in families, and the sooner a diagnosis is given, the better. But, you know all too well how difficult it can be to get that official diagnosis. When you know what early signs to look for, you’ll know when it’s time to push for the right blood tests to help your daughter get the resources and support she needs!

What Are The First Signs of PCOS In Teenagers?

One of the first symptoms of PCOS you’ll identify in a teenager is irregular periods. Before other health problems or symptoms arise, you’ll probably notice that your teen’s periods are sporadic or sometimes even absent. It’s common, too, that these periods are painful and heavy, even from the start! Keep open communication with your adolescent daughter about their period to monitor if anything potentially unusual is occurring. 

10 Symptoms of PCOS in Teenagers 

Heavy, Painful, and Irregular Periods

As mentioned, irregular or missed periods that are heavy and painful can be a sign of PCOS. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) impacts the reproductive hormones, which directly influences the menstrual cycle! 

The average menstrual cycle is 28 days. However, high testosterone, high estrogen, and low progesterone can lead to periods being between 21-40 days apart, or totally absent. Additionally, women with PCOS may experience an overgrowth of the uterine lining during their menstrual cycle due to these imbalances, which can cause twice as much bleeding as the average woman and lots of additional pain. Here’s more on what periods are like with PCOS.

Hirsutism 

It’s obviously not uncommon for girls in puberty to develop body hair and some hair on the face. That’s normal for everyone! However, high levels of androgens (male hormones) can take that to the extreme. If you see your teen dealing with excessive hair growth on the face and body that’s more similar to what a male should experience, this could be a sign of PCOS. 

Thinning Hair

Like the growth of body hair, some hair loss on the head is normal. However, you shouldn’t see more than some strands on the shower floor or on her pillow. If she’s developing visible bald spots, that’s definitely a sign of a hormonal imbalance beyond the usual puberty changes. 

Acne

I know what you’re thinking: You’re just naming normal puberty symptoms! I totally get the frustration, because this is one of the reasons it’s so hard to identify PCOS early. So, yes, it’s normal for a teen to develop acne, but if the hormonal, cystic acne gets excessive and painful and seems like it can’t be treated with any of the usual skincare remedies, it may be a sign of a deeper issue. 

Excessive Weight Gain

Another potential sign of PCOS in teens is excessive and rapid weight gain. One of the most common root issues of PCOS is insulin resistance. This means the body stops converting glucose to energy like it’s supposed to, and instead, stores that sugar as fat and absorbs it into the bloodstream. This means, that even without too many diet changes from before puberty, your teen may gain a lot of weight. 

Efforts to lose weight are often met with weak results because those insulin levels are just off! Here’s where you really want to be vigilant, because extreme body changes and inefficient attempts to lose weight can not only lead to long-term complications like type 2 diabetes, but they can also lead to the development of eating disorders or other mental health struggles. 

Ovarian Cysts 

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is honestly poorly named. Cystic ovaries are just one part of the PCOS experience and there are plenty of Cysters that never even develop cysts, despite the name. That being said, cysts or follicles on the ovaries can appear because of problems with the menstrual cycle. Basically, your eggs don’t shed properly when you skip ovulation or have long periods, and those follicles continue to grow, becoming painful cysts. 

If your teen experiences a lot of pelvic pain and lower back pain throughout their menstrual cycle, as well as bloating and painful bowel movements, they may have a cyst. Most cysts go away on their own, but sometimes they continue to grow until they burst, which can be extremely painful. So, if you think your teen may have a cyst, take them to an OBGYN to have it checked out. Here’s more on ovarian cysts and treatment options. 

Depression and Anxiety

The truth is, many women after years of struggling with the chronic symptoms of PCOS like fatigue, weight gain, and infertility, experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. However, depression and anxiety don’t just come from negative experiences. The hormonal imbalances of your body actually contribute too, so even young people with PCOS can experience mood issues. 

The main contributing hormones are high cortisol, high testosterone, high estrogen, and low progesterone. If you see your teen becoming more irritable, exhibiting mood swings, or showing signs of depression or anxiety, don’t hesitate to see a doctor. Working on lifestyle changes to help balance hormones and seeing a mental health professional can make all the difference to ensure those teen years are as joyful as they should be! 

Headaches and Migraines 

Fluctuations in estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol can trigger migraines and tension headaches. If your teen is drinking plenty of water and isn’t experiencing a lot of stress, but is still having chronic headaches and migraines, it could be a sign of PCOS. Try to rule out other causes first, but headaches and migraines are common with PCOS hormonal imbalance.  

Sleep Problems 

Trouble sleeping is common with PCOS, which is unfortunate because poor sleep can worsen hormonal imbalances, stress, mood problems, and other PCOS symptoms and root issues. Of course, teenagers don’t always practice great sleeping habits, but if your teen expresses problems falling asleep followed by excessive daytime sleepiness, it could be due to PCOS. Support them in making good sleep hygiene choices, but if problems persist, it may be time to talk to your doctor about PCOS. 

Fatigue 

Speaking of excessive daytime sleepiness, chronic fatigue can stem from insulin resistance and those pesky hormonal imbalances…not to mention poor sleep! If your teen is constantly sleepy during the day or struggles to get out of bed even after a decent night’s sleep, it could be a result of PCOS. It’s important to remember that teenagers should only need 8-10 hours of sleep to perform at their best! 

PCOS can show up in teens, so it’s important to know the signs! 

Even before a diagnosis, a woman who realizes she has PCOS can take steps to treat the symptoms and prevent them from getting worse. Making important lifestyle changes when you’re young to manage your PCOS can be super beneficial for your future and prevent some symptoms from becoming chronic. 

I hope this post helped you get a better understanding of the early signs of PCOS so you can help the young woman in your life who may be struggling. And, if a PCOS diagnosis does happen, don’t worry! I’ve worked with Cysters who were able to heal their symptoms even before getting a diagnosis. You never have to wait to start creating a healthy lifestyle designed for you and your teen’s bodies. You can download The Cysterhood app for all the resources and support you need to get your teen through the journey.

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