PCOS Treatment

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is very common accounting for 50% of women with irregular periods and 25% of young infertile woman. The most common clinical features include irregular periods and excess hair growth. Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound is not absolutely necessary for diagnosis or PCOS treatment. Polycystic ovaries do not cause the syndrome but rather are caused by hormonal abnormalities, in particular elevated testosterone and insulin levels. Most cases of PCOS, but not all, are associated with insulin resistance and being overweight. Most thin women with increased hair growth and irregular periods also have PCOS.

PCOS Treatment Options

The treatment for PCOS depends on the patient’s goal of whether or not she wants to conceive.

Birth Control

For patients not trying to conceive, we usually recommend birth control pills to regulate their menstrual cycles. Of course, for those patients who wish to conceive, this is not the best PCOS treatment option.

Weight Loss

If patients display signs of insulin resistance or are overweight, metformin, a common anti-diabetic drug, is added to help reduce insulin levels which in turn help regulate ovulatory cycles. 5-10% weight loss of a patient’s body weight can help normalize insulin and other hormonal abnormalities.

Spironolactone

Spironolactone, a water pill also used to treat high blood pressure, is also commonly used to reduce testosterone-induced hair growth. Spironolactone blocks the testosterone receptors on the hair follicles.

Clomid

For women who wish to conceive, Clomid, an infertility drug, acts on the central nervous system to help trick the body into ovulating. This is often used along with metformin in women who show any sign of insulin resistance. Although many women ovulate on Clomid, because it can have negative effects on cervical mucus production and endometrial lining, use for longer than 3-4 months is discouraged.

Injectable FSH

Some women with PCOS do not respond to Clomid. For these women, injectable fertility drugs in the form of FSH is necessary. The injectable recombinant FSH need to be monitored closely. The goal with either of these infertility drugs is to induce 1 to 2 follicles to mature to reduce the chance of multiple pregnancies. With Clomid, there is a 6-8% chance of twins. In women with PCOS, when using recombinant FSH, it can be difficult to get 1 to 2 follicles to mature and therefore, fairly often, PCOS patients treated with recombinant FSH will need to have their cycles cancelled or be converted to IVF and undergo an egg retrieval.

Fertility Centers of New England is Here to Help

If you’d like to learn more about treatment options for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), reach out to us to schedule a consultation.