Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which a woman has many cysts (fluid-filled sacs) on her ovaries. PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility. Women with PCOS often have irregular or absent menstrual periods. Some symptoms include thinning hair; weight gain; acne; high cholesterol; high blood pressure; and hirsutism (HER-suh-tiz-um, or excess body hair). Many women with PCOS will develop Type 2 diabetes, and women with PCOS have a greater risk of heart attack and endometrial cancer. There is no cure for PCOS, but there are treatments available.
Treatments
Women with PCOS who are not trying to get pregnant can take birth control pills. The pill can help regulate hormone levels, and can relieve acne caused by PCOS, regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce hirsutism. Pills that contain only progesterone can regulate menstrual period and reduce the risk of endometrial cancer, but will not treat hirsutism or acne. Symptoms will return when you stop taking the pill, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Sometimes doctors prescribe metformin (Glucophage®), which is a diabetes medicine, for women with PCOS. Some women who take metformin experience less unwanted hair growth, and metformin can help some women with PCOS lose excess weight and improve their cholesterol level. Metformin can also cause ovulation to return in some women with PCOS, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
For women with PCOS who want to become pregnant, doctors may prescribe fertility medications that stimulate ovulation, such as clomiphene citrate (Clomid®, Serophene®). These drugs can be used alone, or along with metformin. Medications that stimulate ovulation increase the risk of multiple births. Doctors may also prescribe gonadotropins (goe-NAD-oh-troe-pins), which are hormones secreted by the pituitary gland that affect the function of the ovaries. Gonadotropins are more expensive than clomiphene, have a higher risk of multiple births than clomiphene and must be injected. Some women with PCOS who wish to become pregnant choose in vitro fertilization (IVF) which can be effective but is very expensive at about $12,400 per treatment, according to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.
There are a few options for women with PCOS who suffer from unwanted hair growth, such as unwanted facial hair. Vaniqa® cream can reduce facial hair for some women. Spironolactone (speer-on-oh-lak-tone) (Aldactone®) or Finasteride (Propecia®) are medicines known as anti-androgens, and can reduce unwanted hair growth due to "male" hormones in women with PCOS and reduce hair loss caused by androgens. Women who are pregnant or wish to become pregnant should tell their doctor before taking Aldactone®, and women should not breastfeed while taking Aldactone®. Women who are or may become pregnant should not take or handle Propecia®. Some women with PCOS have unwanted hair removed with laser treatments or electrolysis.
"Ovarian drilling" is a laparoscopic surgery that is used to increase fertility for some women with PCOS who have not responded to fertility medications. The surgeon punctures the ovary with a small needle and sends an electric charge into the ovary to destroy a small portion of the ovary and lower androgen levels. The effects are temporary, and there is a risk of scarring of the ovary, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Doctors recommend a healthy lifestyle for women with PCOS. Women with PCOS who suffer from obesity can improve their hormone levels and increase their fertility by reaching a healthy weight. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes. It is important to talk to your doctor about your options for managing your PCOS, and decide what treatments are right for you.
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