Period problems: disorders of menstruation in adolescents

• Published in: Archives of Disease in Childhood Vol. 97; no. 6; pp. 554 - 560
• Main Authors: Peacock, A, Alvi, N S, Mushtaq, T
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 01.06.2012; BMJ Publishing Group; BMJ Publishing Group Ltd; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescents; Adults; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Body Composition; Body Weight; Care and treatment; Causes of; Feeding and Eating Disorders - complications; Female; Females; General aspects; Health aspects; Humans; Medical case management; Medical sciences; Menarche; Menstrual Cycle - physiology; Menstruation disorders; Menstruation Disturbances - diagnosis; Menstruation Disturbances - etiology; Menstruation Disturbances - therapy; Methods; Miscellaneous; Obesity; Physiological aspects; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - diagnosis; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - physiopathology; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - therapy; Pregnancy; Prevention and actions; Puberty; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Scientific Concepts; Sex Education; Teenage girls; United Kingdom; Human; Pediatrics; Menstruation; Menstrual cycle; Adolescent; Period; Child; Public health
• ISSN: 0003-9888; 1468-2044
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.2009.160853

Adolescence is a time of great psychological and physical change. In the UK, girls enter puberty around the age of 10 years with a median age of menarche of 12.9 years; thereafter, it may be several years before regular menstrual cycles are established. Variations in the type and the frequency of periods may create anxiety regarding ill health or serious underlying disorders. With the increase in childhood obesity and subsequent polycystic ovary syndrome, there is a greater awareness and presentation of girls with disorders of menstruation. This review focuses on normal variations of menses and common pathological causes of menstrual problems, including amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia. Further consideration is given to the variations of presentation of polycystic ovary syndrome. It provides a guide to evaluate the various symptoms, investigations and management options.