Gynecological care in young women: a high-risk period of life

Abstract

Adolescence has been described as period of life when emotions are heightened and regulatory controls are reduced, and this can result in an escalation in risk-taking. Importantly for younger females, risk behaviors associated with the onset of sexual activity, and alcohol and substance abuse may coincide with pathologies such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and abnormal uterine bleeding, an iron-deficient diet (vegetarian or vegan) and a negative body image leading to eating disorders. Girls transitioning through adolescence face a number of specific emotional and physical issues related to the onset of menarche and regular menstrual cycles. Menstruation combined with these risk behaviors and pathologies, and the rapid growth and development that is taking place, often results in numerous unwanted effects including iron deficiency. A low iron level is the most common cause of anemia in adolescent girls and can be detrimental to mood and cognition as well as physical well-being. In this article we review the impact of menarche, poor nutrition and some of the risk behaviors and pathologies that predispose females to challenges associated with adolescence, including anemia. We also examine factors that need to be taken into consideration during the initial, and follow-up, consultations with young women. Finally, we present some of the latest advice regarding nutrition and oral iron supplementation, particularly extended-release ferrous sulfate with mucoproteose, with a view to minimizing the development and risks of anemia in this vulnerable population.

Chinese abstract

青春期被描述为一个人生时期，此阶段情绪容易高涨，控制力减少，这可能会导致危险升级。重要的是，对于年轻女性，与性活动，酒精及药物滥用等有关的危险行为与一些病理疾病的发病相一致，如多囊卵巢综合征（polycystic ovary syndrome，PCOS），异常子宫出血，缺铁饮食（素食或纯素饮食），追求负面的身体形象，而导致饮食失衡。青春期女孩面临许多特异的情感问题，和与月经初潮和规律周期相关的身体问题。月经与这些危险行为以及病理生理变化，身体迅速的生长发育等等因素经常会导致不良后果，如缺铁。缺铁是青春期女性贫血的最常见原因，这可能不利于情绪认知以及身体健康。此文，我们对初潮，营养不良，一些危险行为和青少年易患的病理性疾病包括贫血的影响进行综述。我们同样把在青春期开始阶段和后续阶段的女性的一些影响因素纳入了分析。最后，我们对影响和口服铁剂补充特别是缓释硫酸亚铁提出了一些新的见解，以期这一弱势群体的缺铁风险最小化。

• Adolescence
• anemia
• cynecological consultation
• polycystic ovary syndrome
• risk behaviors

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Steve Clissold PhD, Content Ed Net, for providing editorial support in the preparation of the article.