Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) has negative effect on the development and functioning of the reproductive system in young girls. The time of onset of type 1 DM (especially in the puberty period), duration of the disease, and poor compensation of disturbed carbohydrate metabolism are supposed to be the most probable causes of delayed pubertal development exerting negative effect on the age of menarche and increasing the frequency of menstrual problems (largely oligo- and amenorrhea). Despite a wealth of relevant investigations, the cause of reproductive dysfunction remains unknown even though negative effect of type 1 DM on different components of the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis has been fairly well documented. The pathogenetic mechanisms of reproductive disorders may consist of suppression of pulsed production of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) due to enhanced central dopaminergic and opiate activities, decreased concentration of insulin receptors on GnRH-synthesizing neurones, and changes of serum leptin level in the affected girls. In patients with type 1 DM, hypothalamic effects on the pituitary may be supplemented by the direct action of products of free radical oxidative activity leading to a decrease in the production of trophic hormones. Also considered, is primary ovarian origin of menstrual disturbances in girls with type 1 DM. Of great importance are studies concerning autoantibodies against different ovarian structures, variations in concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and hormone ghrelin.
High prevalence of hirsutism and menstrual disorders in obese adolescent girls and adolescent girls with type 1 diabetes mellitus despite different hormonal profiles