15
Views
5
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Review

Current procedures for managing polycystic ovary syndrome

, &
Pages 77-91 | Published online: 10 Jan 2014
 

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common disorder, affecting 6–10% of women of reproductive age. Beyond the cosmetic issue of hyperandrogenic manifestations, it is a disabling syndrome that causes infertility and implicates potential serious long-term metabolic risks for these women. Polycystic ovary syndrome is, thus, an important public health problem that should be managed globally and not only for short-term complaints. With regard to this, lifestyle interventions and insulin sensitizers may be more appropriate treatments for the disease because they directly target the pathophysiology of the disease and, therefore, improve both ovarian dysfunctions and metabolic consequences of the syndrome. However, other interventions are probably more effective and, more rapidly so, for treating clinical manifestations than insulin sensitizers, but could be used in combination in most cases. This review discusses current treatment options for women with polycystic ovary syndrome and explores pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment avenues, with special attention to hyperandrogenism and infertility management.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Notes

OCP: Oral contraceptive pill; PCOS: Polycystic ovary syndrome.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.