European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

HORMONAL IMBALANCE AND POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS) IN YOUNG WOMEN: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

*Abiroo Binti Arif, Dr. Abhishek Gupta, Dr. Richa Thakur

ABSTRACT

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine and metabolic disorders "affecting young women,
characterized by" hormonal imbalance" involving the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary (HPO) axis, hyperandrogenism, and insulin
resistance. "Findings reveal that "PCOS is not only a reproductive disorder but also a systemic condition with long-term risks,"
including "type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, infertility, and psychological" disorders. Management strategies
encompass lifestyle modifications, pharmacological interventions such as oral contraceptives and insulin sensitizers, and
complementary therapies including yoga and nutraceuticals. Despite extensive research, uncertainties remain regarding adolescent
diagnosis, long-term outcomes, and personalized therapeutic approaches. Addressing these gaps is crucial to enhance early
detection, comprehensive management, "and quality of life among affected young women. Objectives: The purpose of this review
is to provide "a comprehensive analysis" of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome" as a disorder of "hormonalimbalance" in young women.
It aims to describe the prevalence, causes, and pathophysiology of PCOS, examine its clinical manifestations and diagnostic
frameworks, evaluate management strategies, and assess its long-term complications. The paper also highlights research gaps and
proposes future directions for improving diagnosis and treatment in adolescent girls, who represent a particularly vulnerable group.
Methods: This review adopts a narrative approach to synthesizing evidence from secondary sources. Databases including
PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for articles" using keywords such as PCOS, hormonal
imbalance, adolescent PCOS, diagnosis of PCOS, and management of PCOS. Inclusion criteria required that studies be peerreviewed,
published between 2015 and 2025, written in English, and specifically address PCOS in young women. Exclusion
criteria were non-peer-reviewed sources, studies unrelated to PCOS, and articles not available in English. Approximately sixty
relevant studies, including original research, systematic reviews, and clinical guidelines, were selected and analyzed for this
review. Results: My study shows that "Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is "highly prevalent, affecting between 5 and 20
percent of women worldwide, with particularly high rates in South Asia. The pathophysiology of PCOS is rooted in hormonal
imbalance involving HPO axis dysfunction, insulin resistance, and hyperandrogenism. "Clinical manifestations include menstrual
irregularities," infertility, dermatological problems such as acne and hirsutism, obesity, and significant psychological distress. The
criteria used in diagnosis varies, the most commonly used being the Rotterdam criteria which is criticized as over-diagnosing in
adolescents. The approaches to management focus on lifestyle change, which is reinforced by pharmacological interventions,
including" oral contraceptives, anti-androgens, and insulin" sensitizers, and complementary methods. The effects of this condition
in the long term include infertility, "diabetes, cardiovascular disease, endometrial cancer and mental health" complications, which
underlines" the importance of early intervention. Conclusion: PCOS is a heterogenous multi-factorial endocrine dysfunction with
multifactorial reproductive, metabolic, and psychological implications in young women. The pathophysiology of the condition is
based on hormonal imbalance in the HPO axis, excess of androgens, and insulin resistance, and in clinical terms menstrual
dysfunction, infertility, obesity, hirsutism, and mood disorders can be observed. Adolescent diagnosis is especially problematic
because it is mixed with pubertal physiology. There is no universal cure, but lifestyle interventions are the first line with
pharmacological and complementary therapy as the supportive approaches. Long-term complications, including diabetes,
cardiovascular disease, endometrial carcinoma, explain why prompt diagnosis and prophylaxis are an emergency. Additional
research is required, in respect of how to enhance the adolescent-specific diagnostic criteria, integrate genetic and epigenetic data,
take the psychosocial factor into account, and how to elaborate personalized treatment schemes.

Keywords: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome,