Adolescents with Irregular Periods May Have PCOS
Yet one more thing to worry about with adolescent girls. Though we've always been told otherwise, turns out irregular periods in young girls may be something to worry about. According to newswise.com, "While irregular periods are common among teenage girls, an underlying hormonal disorder may be to blame if this problem persists." The disorder is called polycystic ovarian syndrome (or PCOS), and it's not anything cancer-causing or life-threatening, but it can affect fertility. PCOS is an endocrine disorder that is characterized by an excess of androgens or male hormones in the body. The imbalance of hormones interferes with the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries, which can prevent ovulation and menstruation, newswise.com notes. Menstruation begins, on average, at age 12, and a normal menstrual cycle is usually 28 days. Experts say that girls should have a regular menstrual cycle within approximately two years after they get their first period ...