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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Treatments

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder that affects the female reproductive system and causes hormonal imbalance. According to Web MD, PCOS affects about one in 15 women. PCOS is associated with small cysts forming on the ovaries. Although the cysts are not harmful, they lead to hormonal imbalances, which lead to problems such as irregular ovulation and periods, weight gain, acne, problems getting pregnant, thinning hair on the head and the abnormal growth of hair on the face and body. If left untreated, PCOS can lead to other problems including insulin resistance, diabetes and high blood pressure. Although there are no cures for PCOS, there are many treatments available to manage the symptoms.

  1. Weight Control

    • Avoiding weight gain and losing weight can help manage the symptoms of PCOS. Weight control can lower insulin and androgen levels. It can also decrease the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes. According to Web MD, losing 5 to 7 percent of body weight over 6 months can establish regular ovulation and improve fertility in more than 75 percent of women with PCOS.

    Medications

    • There are several medications used to treat the symptoms and effects of polycystic ovary syndrome. The first is estrogen and progestin combined hormonal contraception in the form of the birth control pill or patch. The hormones in these contraceptions help restore a normal menstrual cycle and thus normal ovulation. And because a normal menstrual cycle means a woman is shedding the lining of her uterus regulary, this treatment for PCOS also reduces the risk for uterine cancer. According to Web MD, the Yazmin birth control pill is thought to be the best choice of combined hormome treatment for women with PCOS because it contains a form of progestin that is also an anti-androgen. Because androgens cause many of the noticeable effects of PCOS, such as the growth of facial hair and acne, anti-androgens and androgen-lowering medications help minimize these effects.

      Another prescription medication that is used to treat PCOS is spironolactone, which is sold under the brand name Aldactone. Spironolactone is an androgen-lowering drug that can help with some of the side effects of PCOS, including hair loss, acne and the growth of hair on the face and body.

      Insulin-sensitizing drugs are also commonly prescribed to reduce insulin resistance in women with PCOS. These are diabetes medications, such as Metformin, which is sold under the brand name Glucophage; pioglitazone, which is sold as Actos; and rosiglitazone, which is sold as Avandia. These drugs help control insulin and blood sugar levels, and lower androgen levels. They also reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease, and restore regular ovulation, thus restoring fertility.

      Clomiphene, which is sold under the brand names of Clomid and Serophene, is a fertility drug used to stimulate ovulation.

    Surgery

    • Some women who do not respond to medications need surgical intervention. Surgery is performed occasionally in women with PCOS. One surgery is laparoscopic ovarian drilling. In this procedure, your doctor will destroy parts of the ovary using electrocautery or laser through a small incision.

      Another surgery done to restore ovarian function is an ovarian wedge resection. In this procedure, part of the ovary is actually removed to help restore ovulation. This treatment is rare because it can damage the ovary and scar tissue can lead to further problems.

    Acne treatments

    • Many women want to treat the acne that comes along with PCOS. Birth control pills and patches are often prescribed to fight acne. Topical antibiotics such as Accutane are also sometimes prescribed to women with PCOS to fight acne. Peeling medications, such as Retin-A, are also commonly prescribed.

    Facial Hair Treatments

    • In addition to the medications above, there are other treatments for the treatment of unwanted facial and body hair in women with PCOS. Eflornithine, which is sold under the brand name Vaniqa, is commonly prescribed to help reduce the appearance of unwanted facial hair. Electrolysis or laser hair removal is an option for women who want to remove hair permanently.

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