Читать книгу The Ultimate PCOS Handbook - Theresa Cheung - Страница 27

Puberty is the beginning of a physical transformation towards fertility, which usually takes about four years to complete. Body shape, hormone levels and behaviour all begin to change in response to hormonal instructions. Breasts develop, pubic hair grows, bones strengthen and height and weight increase.

In women without PCOS, before the onset of puberty, the pituitary gland prompts the ovaries and adrenal glands to start producing larger amounts of the sex hormones oestrogen and androgen.

Oestrogens, often known as the ‘female’ hormones, control breast development and changes in the vagina and its excretions. Before the first menstrual period (called menarche), levels of oestrogen in the bloodstream begin to fluctuate widely. The womb lining (endometrium) is affected by these hormonal changes until a point is reached when it starts to grow.

Meanwhile androgens, often known as the ‘male’ hormones, control the growth of pubic hair under the arms and in the pubic area, stimulate growth and weight gain and speed up the maturation of the bones and an increase in muscle mass. But androgens mostly come to a teenage girl’s attention when they cause that common and unwanted effect of puberty – acne.

These physical changes may also be accompanied by emotional conflicts, some of which are hormonally triggered. Sudden, unpredictable mood swings in adolescents can be due to the surges in these hormones (think about any PMS or PCOS mood swings you get and it might take you back to your teens).