ESPE Abstracts

Aim: Oligo- or amenorrhea is one of the most important features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Anti-Mullerien Hormone (AMH) plays an inhibitory role in follicular development and contributes to hyperandrogenism in PCOS. Our aim was to assess differences in serum AMH and androstenedione levels, and clinical characteristics between adolescent girls with and without oligomenorrhea.

Participants and methods: Sixty-eight adolescent girls with oligomenorrhea were included in the study. Sixty-four adolescent girls without menstrual irregularities also studied as a control group. All adolescent girls in this study were menarche at least 3 years ago. Oligomenorrhea was defined menstrual periods occurring at intervals of greater than 35 days, with only four to nine periods in a year. Anthropometric indices and the presence of hirsutism were assessed. Blood sample was drawn for serum AMH and androstenedione levels in the follicular phase. Transabdominal pelvic ultrasound (TPU) was performed to all participants.

Results: Mean age of the participants was 17.06±0.95 years. Serum AMH and androstenedione levels in adolescent girls with oligomenorrhea were significantly higher compared with those without oligomenorrhea (P<0.001 and P=0.022, respectively). Menarcheal age did not differ significantly between the two groups (P=0.956). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of anthropometric parameters (P>0.05). The frequency of hirsutism in the girls with oligomenorrhea was 27.9%, whereas it was 5.9% in the control group. 61.8% of girls with oligomenorrhea had polycystic ovarian appearance in TPU. It was also 27.9% in control group. There was positive correlation between BMI and androstenedione levels (r: 0.269, P:0.022).

Conclusions: Hirsutism and polycystic appearance in TPU which are important components of PCOS are more common in adolescents girls with oligomenorrhea. Adolescent girls with oligomenorrhea have higher androstenedione and AMH levels than girls with regular menstruation. The high AMH level is one of the diagnostic criteria for PCOS. High androstenedione level is a sensitive marker of hyperandrogenemia, one of the PCOS criteria. High androstenedione levels are associated with high BMI values.