Clinical features of girls with oligomenorrhea based on disease duration

Adolescence is a period between puberty and psychophysical maturity, marked by endocrinological, metabolic, and somatic changes. Menstrual cycle disorders are among the most common abnormalities during this period. Objective — to study the features of physical and sexual development as well as the establishment of menstrual function in adolescent girls with oligomenorrhea, depending on the duration of the disease. Materials and methods. The study involved 194 adolescent girls aged 12—18 years with oligomenorrhea (OM). Depending on the duration of OM at the time of examination, they were divided into four groups. Physical and sexual development as well as the age of menarche onset were evaluated. Results and discussion. The majority of girls had growth within the optimal range. Minor deviations in growth, both delays and advancements, were observed in approximately one-third of patients (26.7 %). Among significant deviations, tall stature predominated, and these changes gradually increased with the duration of oligomenorrhea (OM). With physiological BMI indicators, growth changes were noted in 81.3 % of patients. Hirsutism manifestations intensified with the progression of the disease, potentially signaling the development of polycystic ovary syndrome. The level of sexual development in the vast majority of patients with OM (83 %) was within chronological age. However, acceleration was observed in 75 % of girls aged 11—13 years, while delays were noted in 7.2 % of girls aged 14—18 years. Thus, deviations in sexual development were most frequently registered in younger girls (12—13 years). Early and late menarche occurred significantly more often in adolescents with OM lasting more than 2 years. Conclusions. It was established that oligomenorrhea (OM) in nearly half of the girls (49.5 %) is accompanied by disturbances in physical development, the nature and severity of which depend on the duration of OM. A characteristic feature for younger adolescents with OM was accelerated sexual development (76.7 %). A combination of physical and sexual development disorders was recorded in 61.1 % of the girls. Early menarche was registered in 10.7 % of patients and was a predictor of disease chronicity. Hirsutism increased with prolonged OM duration, suggesting a risk for developing polycystic ovary syndrome.