American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Endocrinology, and Androgen Excess and PCOS Society Disease State Clinical Review: Guide to the Best Practices in the Evaluation and Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - Part 1

    October 2015 in “ Endocrine Practice
    Neil F. Goodman, Rhoda H. Cobin, Walter Futterweit, Jennifer S. Glueck, Richard S. Legro, Enrico Carmina
    Image of study
    TLDR The guide recommends specific methods for diagnosing PCOS and various treatments for its symptoms, while considering the health impacts on adolescents.
    The 2015 document reviews best practices for diagnosing and treating Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), emphasizing the need for accurate clinical assessment and the use of specific criteria for diagnosis, including chronic anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. It highlights the importance of measuring free testosterone levels, using ultrasound for ovarian morphology, and considering serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone and anti-Müllerian hormone levels. The review discusses management strategies for reproductive function, hirsutism, alopecia, and acne, and the use of oral contraceptives, anti-androgens, and metformin for treatment. It also addresses the challenges of diagnosing PCOS in adolescents and the careful approach required, including the potential impact of anti-androgen therapy on bone mass. The document suggests that 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors like finasteride and dutasteride can be effective for hirsutism and alopecia when other treatments fail, with dutasteride being somewhat more successful for alopecia. Metformin is recommended for hirsutism in women with PCOS who have metabolic and glycemic abnormalities, although it is less effective than anti-androgens for hirsutism or acne. The review also notes the importance of considering the effects of anti-androgen therapies on bone and cardiovascular health, especially in adolescents.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    9 / 9 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 12 results

      community C’est terrible - at my wits end

      in Female  448 upvotes 10 months ago
      A 29-year-old woman is experiencing gradual hair thinning since age 15, suspects Androgenic Alopecia, and has tried 5% minoxidil with little success. She has purchased various hair loss treatments including minoxidil, dutasteride, finasteride, and spironolactone, but is cautious about starting them due to potential interactions with her ADHD medication.

      community How does hair loss and recovery work?

      in Chat  12 upvotes 1 month ago
      Hair loss varies due to genetic sensitivity to DHT and other factors. Treatments discussed include finasteride, minoxidil, RU58841, and microneedling.

      community Female, 30, PCOS diagnosis, MPB Norwood 2. Endo refuses to give anything other than Spironolactone. Feel like I’m at my wit’s end here.

      in Female  57 upvotes 10 months ago
      A 30-year-old female with PCOS and male pattern baldness is frustrated with her endocrinologist's recommendation of only Spironolactone and minoxidil, feeling that dutasteride, finasteride, and progesterone would be more effective. Other users suggest various online sources for treatments, warn against self-medicating due to potential risks, and recommend seeking a specialized endocrinologist or considering additional treatments like Inositol, Berberine, and dermaneedling.

      community Why balding gets worse in every generation?

      in Chat  81 upvotes 3 months ago
      Balding seems to worsen with each generation, possibly due to stress, diet, and environmental factors. The user started treatments like Minoxidil and finasteride.

    Similar Research

    6 / 1000+ results