Publication:

An observational study on different gynaecological problems in adolescents in a tertiary care centre

Background Adolescence (10–19 years) is a transformative period marked by significant biological and physiological changes. In India, adolescents constitute over 21.4% of the population. Gynaecological concerns, particularly menstrual irregularities, are prevalent during this phase due to the immaturity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. This study aims to identify and analyse the wide spectrum of gynaecological disorders among adolescent females to improve reproductive health outcomes for future.

Methods A hospital-based, single-centre cross-sectional observational study was conducted at LLRM Medical College and hospital in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India, from September 2025 to February 2026. The study included 500 adolescent females (10-19 years) attending the outpatient department. Data were collected through detailed clinical histories, physical examinations, and necessary investigations (blood tests and imaging). Statistical analysis was performed using frequencies and percentages.

Results The majority of participants belonged to the mid-adolescent group (14-16 years; 53.8%) and resided in urban areas (63%). A significant "dual burden" of nutrition was observed, with 18.6% underweight and 38.4% overweight/obese. Educational levels were notably low with 43.4% being school dropouts. Menstrual problems were the leading complaint (69.6%). Oligomenorrhoea being the most common specific disorder (54.31%) among menstrual disorder. The most common clinical diagnosis was Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (17.8%), followed by Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (11.4%) and simple ovarian cysts (9.6%). Other findings included vaginal discharge (13.8%) and pelvic inflammatory disease (6.8%).

Conclusions Menstrual disturbances and PCOS constitute the primary gynaecological burden among adolescents in this region. The high prevalence of these conditions along with nutritional imbalances and low educational status highlights a critical need for targeted health education and adolescent-friendly reproductive health services. Early intervention and lifestyle modifications are essential to mitigate long-term reproductive morbidity.