National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Prader-Willi syndrome

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Does the menstrual cycle happen earlier in Prader-Willi syndrome?

The following information may help to address your question:


Is puberty altered in people with Prader-Willi syndrome?

People with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) typically have hypogonadism, which can manifest as genital hypoplasia (underdevelopment), incomplete pubertal development, and infertility.[1] A small percentage of people with PWS may have early development of pubic hair; more rarely, precocious puberty (abnormally early onset of puberty, before the age of 8) has been reported.[2]
Last updated: 1/7/2015

Can the menstrual cycle happen early in people with Prader-Willi syndrome?

Many people with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) experience delayed puberty which fails to reach completion. Most females never have regular menstrual cycles, with spontaneous menarche occurring in only about 50% of cases.[1][3] Even in those who do experience menstruation, the cycles are often just a periodical vaginal spotting.[1] However, a few cases of precocious puberty with menarche at or before age 8 in people with PWS have been reported.[2][3]
Last updated: 1/7/2015

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  1. Driscoll DJ, Miller JL, Schwartz S, Cassidy SB. Prader-Willi Syndrome. GeneReviews. January 23, 2014; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=gene&part=pws#pws.Clinical_Description. Accessed 9/23/2015.
  2. Crino A, Schiaffini R, Ciampalini P, Spera S, Beccaria L, Benzi F, Bosio L, Corrias A, Gargantini L, Salvatoni A, Tonini G, Trifiro G, Livieri C. Eur J Pediatr. May 2003; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12692714. Accessed 12/2/2008.
  3. Pusz ER, Rotenstein D. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. May 2008; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18655533. Accessed 12/2/2008.