Treatments for Polycystic ovary syndrome

Treatment list for Polycystic ovary syndrome: The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Polycystic ovary syndrome includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.

Birth control pills - suppresses ovulation.
Progestins
Insulin-sensitizing medications
Weight control
Low-carbo diet
Regular exercise
Antidepressants - if there is also depression.
Antihypertensives - if there is high blood pressure.
Anti-cholesterol medications - if there is high cholesterol.
Ovarian drilling - a form of laparoscopic surgery.
Wedge resection of the ovaries
Fertility-improvement treatments for PCOS:
- Fertility drugs
- Clomid
- Injectable fertility medications
- Clomiphene
- Insulin-sensitizing medications - certain diabetes pills; helps ovulation by controlling insulin.
- Metformin - helps insulin sensitivity
- Steroids - lowers androgen levels.
- Low-dose aspirin - may help pregnancy by reducing uterine clotting.

Treatment of Polycystic ovary syndrome: medical news summaries: The following medical news items are relevant to treatment of Polycystic ovary syndrome:

Treatments of Polycystic ovary syndrome discussion: A woman with PCOS may be able to take fertility drugs, such as Clomid, or injectable fertility medications to induce ovulation. To help ovulation occur, women also can take insulin-sensitizing medications or steroids (to lower androgen levels). Some research also shows that taking low doses of aspirin, which helps prevent blood clotting in the uterine lining and improves blood flow, can improve chances of pregnancy. ¹

The best way to prevent miscarriage in women with PCOS is to normalize hormone levels to improve ovulation, and normalize blood sugar, glucose, and androgen levels. Recently, more doctors are prescribing the drug metformin to help with this.¹

Because there is no cure for PCOS, it needs to be managed to prevent further problems. There are many medications to control the symptoms of PCOS. Doctors most commonly prescribe the birth control pill for this purpose. Birth control pills regulate menstruation, reduce androgen levels, and help to clear acne. Your doctor will talk to you about whether the birth control pill is right for you and which kind to take. Other drugs can help with cosmetic problems. There also are drugs available to control blood pressure and cholesterol. Progestins and insulin-sensitizing medications can be taken to induce a menstrual period and restore normal cycles. Eating a balanced diet low in carbohydrates and maintaining a healthy weight can help lessen the symptoms of PCOS. Regular exercise helps weight loss and also aids the body in reducing blood glucose levels and using insulin more efficiently.

Although it is not recommended as the first course of treatment, surgery called ovarian drilling is available to treat PCOS. This involves laparoscopy, which is done under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. A very small incision is made above or below the navel, and a small instrument that acts like a telescope is inserted into the abdomen. During laparoscopy, the doctor then can make punctures in the ovary with a small needle carrying an electric current to destroy a small portion of the ovary. The success rate is less than 50% and there is a risk of developing adhesions or scar tissue on the ovary. ¹

Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): NWHIC

Last revision: June 10, 2003

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