Sex Hormone Treatment for Female Children and Young Adults with Disorders Affecting Hypothalamic, Pituitary, and Ovarian Function

Normal hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) endocrine function is essential for female pubertal and psychosocial development and for ongoing adult physical, sexual, and psychosocial health. Girls with hypogonadism, any endocrine disorder causing abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) or with contraception needs may require sex hormone treatment. Challenges include evolving needs of a young girl through the course of sexual maturation, potential health risks related to the use of sex hormones for pubertal induction, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), menstrual management, and/or contraception.

To ensure optimal sex hormone treatment, both a comprehensive understanding of the underlying disorder affecting HPO endocrine function and a professional communication with the patient and physicians involved are warranted. In this narrative mini-review, we discuss pubertal induction and HRT for girls with hypogonadism and the management of AUB and contraception for young women up to age 30 years. Additionally, we provide advice on management of AUB and contraception in young women with common conditions including polycystic ovary syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia and others. A PubMed-literature search including articles published over the last 20 years, together with clinical experience of the authors was integrated to provide treatment recommendations.

Sex hormone treatment, where needed, requires comprehensive understanding of a range of available options. When tailored to individual needs, with flexibility to accommodate changing circumstance in young women it is safe, well tolerated and provides both physical and psychosocial health.