Treatment Options for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

February 2011 in “ International journal of women's health ”

Ahmed Badawy, Abubaker Elnashar

Studysummary This review discusses treatments for various symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome, including lifestyle changes, medical, and surgical interventions, but does not present new clinical results.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

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Research cited in this study

13 / 13 results

research Finasteride Treatment for One Year in 35 Hirsute Patients

27 citations , July 2009 in “Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes”

This study found that finasteride significantly improved hirsutism scores in women over 12 months and was well-tolerated with no serious side effects.

research Evaluation and Treatment of Hirsutism in Premenopausal Women: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline

502 citations , February 2008 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism”

This review discusses hirsutism management guidelines, recommending androgen testing only for women with abnormal hirsutism scores and advocating for combined therapy approaches depending on severity and underlying conditions, but it reports no new clinical results.

research Hair Loss in Women

129 citations , October 2007 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

This article discusses the evaluation and management of a 45-year-old woman with diffuse scalp-hair loss and reports no new clinical findings.

Criteria for Defining Polycystic Ovary Syndrome as a Predominantly Hyperandrogenic Syndrome: An Androgen Excess Society Guideline

research Criteria for Defining Polycystic Ovary Syndrome as a Predominantly Hyperandrogenic Syndrome: An Androgen Excess Society Guideline

1744 citations , August 2006 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This review discusses definitions of polycystic ovary syndrome and reports no new clinical results; the authors support using modified 1990 NIH criteria and acknowledge ongoing evolution as research advances.

research Hirsutism

271 citations , December 2005 in “New England journal of medicine/The New England journal of medicine”

This article discusses evaluation and treatment options for a 19-year-old woman with slowly progressive hair growth and reports no new clinical findings.

research Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Diagnosis, Symptoms, and Management

8 citations , September 2005 in “Practical diabetes”

This article discusses management strategies for polycystic ovary syndrome, emphasizing the role of insulin resistance and the importance of addressing associated cardiovascular risk factors; it reports no new clinical results.

research Finasteride Versus Cyproterone Acetate-Estrogen Regimens in the Treatment of Hirsutism

39 citations , August 2004 in “International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics”

This study found that both finasteride and a regimen of cyproterone acetate plus ethinyl estradiol effectively reduced hirsutism in women, with similar results despite differing hormonal effects.

research Revised 2003 Consensus on Diagnostic Criteria and Long-Term Health Risks Related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

4809 citations , January 2004 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This review discusses polycystic ovary syndrome, emphasizing its broad range of manifestations and associations with risks like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular events, but reports no new clinical results.

research Use of Cyproterone Acetate, Finasteride, and Spironolactone to Treat Idiopathic Hirsutism

56 citations , April 2003 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This study found that while cyproterone acetate, finasteride, and spironolactone had similar short-term effects in treating idiopathic hirsutism, spironolactone provided more lasting benefits one year after treatment.

research Comparison of Diane 35 and Diane 35 Plus Finasteride in the Treatment of Hirsutism

63 citations , March 2001 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This study found that Diane 35 combined with finasteride led to a greater reduction in hirsutism scores over 12 months compared to Diane 35 alone.

research Management of Hirsutism

55 citations , March 2000 in “American journal of clinical dermatology”

Antiandrogens, particularly flutamide and CPA, are most effective for treating hirsutism, with long-term use needed for best results.

A Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing Low Dose Flutamide, Finasteride, Ketoconazole, and Cyproterone Acetate-Estrogen Regimens in the Treatment of Hirsutism

research A Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing Low Dose Flutamide, Finasteride, Ketoconazole, and Cyproterone Acetate-Estrogen Regimens in the Treatment of Hirsutism

113 citations , April 1999 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This study found that all four treatments—flutamide, finasteride, ketoconazole, and EE-CPA—significantly reduced hirsutism, but EE-CPA and flutamide appeared most effective, with varying effects on androgen levels and side-effect profiles.

research The Effects of Two Doses of Spironolactone on Serum Androgens and Anagen Hair in Hirsute Women

142 citations , February 1985 in “Fertility and sterility”

This study found that spironolactone reduced serum androstenedione and anagen hair shaft diameter in hirsute patients but did not significantly alter unbound testosterone levels, suggesting its effects are primarily peripheral.