Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) may be increased by premature adrenarche (PA) (PCOS). To investigate PCOS characteristics in young adult women who have a history of PA. From puberty until young adulthood, thirty PA and 42 control girls were tracked. Ovarian function, contraceptive usage, and clinical and biochemical markers of hyperandrogenism were the primary outcome measures. There were no differences in the use of hormonal contraceptives, contraceptive indication, or history of oligo- and amenorrhea. Those with a history of PA had a greater frequency of hirsutism but not acne among women who did not use hormonal contraception. The steroid profiles of the groups were essentially equivalent, but PA women had lower sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations, resulting in a greater free androgen index. The difference in SHBG levels remained after adjusting for body mass index. SHBG had a negative correlation with the insulin resistance homeostasis model evaluation. The concentrations of anti-Müllerian hormone were equivalent between groups.
In young adult women, PA was not linked with obvious ovarian impairment. Women with a history of PA, on the other hand, exhibited lower SHBG levels and hence higher bioavailability of circulating androgens.
Reference: https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/106/9/e3335/6290366
