Abstract
For up to eight years after menarche, adolescents are in a developmental stage where
PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) symptoms are physiological. The diagnostic criteria
for PCOS in adult women therefore only partially apply. A new German S2k guideline
and the international PCOS guideline of 2023 provide standardized diagnostic criteria
for hyperandrogenemia and menstrual disorders in adolescence. The provisional diagnosis
of PCOS at risk has been introduced for adolescents who only partially meet the criteria
and this diagnosis must be revisited three and eight years after menarche. Recommendations
for therapy focus on providing information and lifestyle advice to adolescents and
on the prevention and treatment of possible comorbidities such as obesity, insulin
resistance and hypertension. This paper presents an overview of a structured diagnostic
workup and therapeutic approaches to support adolescents with PCOS.
Keywords
polycystic ovary syndrome - adolescence - diagnostic criteria - prevention - guideline
