Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Treatment

Mayo Clinic endocrinologists and gynecologists have extensive experience treating the various manifestations of PCOS, using the treatments listed below.

Long term, the most important aspect of treatment is managing cardiovascular risks such as obesity, high blood cholesterol, diabetes or pre-diabetes and high blood pressure. To help guide ongoing treatment decisions, a physician will want to see the patient regularly for a physical examination and measurement of blood pressure and glucose and lipid levels. A physician may also refer patients to a trained dietitian for guidance on weight management.

Hormone Treatments

These are prescribed for irregular periods. Oral contraceptives or birth control pills that contain a combination of estrogen and progesterone regulate menstrual periods.

Hormone Blockers

These are used to treat excessive production of androgens. The drugs block the effects of male hormones such as unwanted hair, male pattern baldness and acne.

Insulin Resistance

New medications lower insulin levels. Though not yet approved for PCOS treatment, they show some promise. It may take six months to see results, but insulin lowering medication plus exercise and diet may result in regular menstruation and ovulation for most patients.

Lifestyle Modification

Weight loss and exercise help to lower insulin levels, which reduce the ovaries' production of testosterone. This is often effective for overweight PCOS patients.

Infertility Treatments

If infertility problems are not resolved with drug therapy or lifestyle modification, gynecologists and gynecologic surgeons use standard fertility treatments such as ovulation induction and in vitro fertilization.

Surgery

If medications don't help achieve pregnancy, an outpatient surgical procedure (laparoscopic ovarian drilling) may be recommended. The surgeon makes small punctures on the stroma (outer layer of the ovary) with a needle electrode, to decrease androgen production and increase the chances of ovulation.