Health and fertility in World Health Organization group 2 anovulatory women
May 2012
in “Human Reproduction Update”
TLDR Women with PCOS may take longer to get pregnant but can have a normal family size, and should manage their overall health to reduce long-term health risks.
The document from May 19, 2012, reviews health and fertility issues in WHO group 2 anovulatory women, with a focus on those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It finds that PCOS, a common cause of infertility, has a multifactorial etiology with genetic predisposition. Women with PCOS may have increased time to pregnancy but not necessarily reduced family size or higher miscarriage rates. Clomiphene citrate is the first-line treatment for anovulatory infertility in PCOS, followed by gonadotrophins and laparoscopic ovarian surgery, with aromatase inhibitors like letrozole also showing promise. The document stresses the importance of monitoring general health in these patients due to long-term metabolic and cardiovascular risks, advocating for early prevention and healthy lifestyle changes. It also notes that modest weight loss can restore fecundity in overweight PCOS patients. Specific prevalence rates of skin conditions in Turkish women with PCOS are provided, and the document discusses the risks of multiple pregnancies and long-term health issues like endometrial cancer and Type 2 diabetes associated with PCOS. The need for careful ovulation induction and vigilance for long-term health risks is emphasized.
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