Gender diversity in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Creator(s)

Cintya Schweisberger, Children's Mercy Kansas CityFollow
Laurie L. Hornberger, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Romina Barral, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Charles Burke
Emily Paprocki, Children's Mercy Kansas CityFollow
Ashley K. Sherman, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Heidi Vanden Brink, Children's Mercy Kansas CityFollow
Tania S. Burgert, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-5-2022

Identifier

DOI: 10.1515/jpem-2022-0249

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of our study was to describe the prevalence of gender diverse (GD) youth among adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review on patients who met NIH criteria for PCOS in our Multidisciplinary Adolescent PCOS Program (MAPP). We compared those with PCOS to MAPP patients who did not meet PCOS criteria as well as to non-PCOS patients from the Adolescent Specialty Clinic (ASC). Variables analyzed included gender identity, androgen levels, hirsutism scores, and mood disorders. We used chi-square, Fisher's exact, t-tests, and Wilcoxon rank sum tests to compare groups. Gender identities self-reported as male, fluid/both or nonbinary were pooled into the GD category.

Results: Within the MAPP, 7.6% (n=12) of PCOS youth self-identified as GD compared to 1.8% (n=3) of non PCOS youth (p=0.01, chi-square). When compared to non-PCOS GD adolescents from ASC (4.4%; n=3), the difference to PCOS youth was no longer significant (p=0.56). Among MAPP patients, gender diversity was associated with higher hirsutism scores (p < 0.01), but not higher androgen levels. In PCOS, depression/anxiety was higher in GD vs cisgender youth (100% vs. 37.6%, p < 0.01 and 77.8% vs. 35.8%, p=0.03 respectively).

Conclusions: Gender diversity was observed more commonly in those meeting PCOS criteria. PCOS GD youth were more hirsute and reported more depression/anxiety. Routine screening for differences in gender identity in comprehensive adolescent PCOS programs could benefit these patients, as alternate treatment approaches may be desired to support a transmasculine identity.

Journal Title

Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism : JPEM

Volume

35

Issue

11

First Page

1422

Last Page

1428

MeSH Keywords

Adolescent; Humans; Female; Male; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Hirsutism; Gender Identity; Androgens; Retrospective Studies

Keywords

adolescent PCOS; depression; gender diversity; gender identity; multidisciplinary clinic; non-binary; polycystic ovary syndrome; testosterone; transgender

Recommended Citation

Schweisberger CL, Hornberger L, Barral R, et al. Gender diversity in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2022;35(11):1422-1428. Published 2022 Oct 5. doi:10.1515/jpem-2022-0249