Self-Reported Psychopathological Symptoms in Young Females with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Findings from a Cross-sectional Study

Objective: The Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome (MRKHS) and the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have been associated with disturbances in youths' psychological functioning and psychosexual development. We examined self-reported psychopathological symptoms in young females with MRKHS and those with PCOS at the time of diagnosis, compared with healthy adolescents. Methods: Self-reported questionnaires to measure depression, anxiety and general psychopathological symptoms were obtained from 70 young females aged 11-20 years. Of the total sample, 24 adolescents presented with MRKHS (mean age ± SD: 17.2 ± 1.5), 22 with PCOS (mean age ± SD: 16.9±2.00) and 24 subjects were recruited as healthy age-matched controls (mean age ± SD: 17.3 ±2.2). Results: The MRKHS group showed significantly higher levels of anxiety symptoms compared with the control group. Also, older MRKHS patients (18-20 years old) presented significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety symptoms, phobic anxiety symptoms, and hostility than PCOS patients of the same age group. Older PCOS patients (18-20 years old) reported significantly less attention problems and more somatic complaints compared with MRKHS patients and controls of the same age group. Conclusion: Young females with PCOS and especially with MRKHS appear to be a psychologically vulnerable group. A biopsychosocial approach should emphasize the assessment and treatment of the psychopathological symptoms of these patients alongside somatic treatments.