Caring for Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

    May 2016 in “ The Nurse Practitioner ”
    Katherine Pereira, Kathryn Evans Kreider
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    TLDR Treating PCOS is complex, involving medication like metformin and lifestyle changes, and requires attention to mental health due to high depression and anxiety rates.
    The 2017 document outlines the complexity of diagnosing and managing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which affects 6% to 15% of reproductive-age women and is characterized by hyperandrogenism, anovulation, and a range of associated health conditions. It highlights the genetic and environmental factors contributing to PCOS, the varying clinical presentations, and the use of different diagnostic criteria, including the potential role of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. Treatment options discussed include metformin, particularly for its benefits in restoring menstrual regularity and ovulatory frequency, and a study of 36 obese women with PCOS showed significant weight loss with a combination of liraglutide and metformin. Other treatments like clomiphene and letrozole are effective for ovulation induction, with letrozole having a higher live birth rate. Hormonal therapies and lifestyle interventions are recommended for managing symptoms and reducing health risks, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The document also stresses the importance of regular psychological screening due to the high prevalence of depression and anxiety in women with PCOS.
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