Bengaluru, September 1, 2026: Irregular periods, persistent acne or sudden changes in weight during the teenage years should not simply be brushed aside as “growing up,” says senior gynaecologist Dr Vidya V Bhat, urging parents to start conversations about PCOS much before their daughters reach adulthood.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is no longer a concern discussed only when a woman faces difficulty conceiving. Gynaecologists are increasingly seeing younger girls and adolescents with symptoms that may warrant closer attention. At the same time, experts caution that not every irregular period in a teenager indicates PCOS, making informed medical evaluation important.
“We should not wait until a young woman is in her twenties and worried about fertility before we start talking about PCOS. The conversation needs to begin much earlier. A girl should understand that her periods are an important indicator of her health and just like her growth, nutrition and emotional wellbeing,” says Dr. Vidya V. Bhat, Medical Director, Radhakrishna Multispeciality Hospital & IVF Centre
For adolescents growing up, long academic hours, sedentary routines, increasing screen time, irregular sleep and easy access to processed foods can make maintaining healthy habits more challenging. However, Dr Bhat stresses that PCOS cannot simply be labelled a “lifestyle disease” and is not limited to girls who are overweight.
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“PCOS does not have one particular body type. I have seen young women with PCOS who are overweight as well as those who are lean. The important thing is to recognise the pattern of symptoms and not judge a girl by her weight,” she says.
Parents should pay attention to persistent menstrual irregularities, prolonged gaps between periods, excessive facial or body hair, troublesome acne or other noticeable hormonal changes. At the same time irregular cycles are common in the early years after menstruation begins, so self-diagnosis should be avoided.
Dr Bhat believes the focus should be on educating girls rather than frightening them. “Menstrual health is health. We need to make it normal for a teenage girl to talk about her periods, acne, unwanted hair or changes in her body without embarrassment openly. Early awareness does not mean labelling every girl with PCOS it means knowing when something needs attention,” she says.
PCOS can affect more than reproductive health and may be associated with metabolic concerns. Early counselling around nutrition, physical activity, sleep and overall wellbeing can therefore help young women develop healthier habits long before fertility becomes a concern.
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“PCOS should never make a young girl feel that something is wrong with her or that her future is uncertain. With the right guidance and medical care when needed, it is a condition that can be managed. Our responsibility is to identify those who need help and support them early,” Dr Bhat concludes.
The message for all families is simple: don’t panic about every irregular period but don’t ignore persistent changes either. Start the conversation early, listen without judgement and seek medical advice when concerns continue.
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