TLDR Most patients with PCOS were prescribed medroxyprogesterone acetate or oral contraceptives, with some experiencing side effects or needing prescription changes.
This retrospective study analyzed medication use patterns among 212 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) at a tertiary care hospital in South Korea from July 2014 to September 2022. The cohort included 105 adolescents and 107 adults. Common comorbidities were ovarian cysts (9.4%), endometriosis (9%), and diabetes (6.6%), while prevalent symptoms included oligomenorrhea (42.9%) and amenorrhea (34%). Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) was prescribed to 53.8% of patients, and oral contraceptives to 31.1%, with 8% receiving both. Prescription changes occurred in 21.2% of patients, primarily due to side effects (22.2%) and therapeutic failure (17.8%). Adverse drug reactions were reported in 7.1% of patients, with a higher incidence in adults (9.3%) compared to adolescents (4.8%).
7 citations,
August 2023 in “EClinicalMedicine” Anti-androgens can help manage some PCOS symptoms better than metformin but are not more effective than placebos or birth control pills for other symptoms.
82 citations,
November 2016 in “Best Practice & Research in Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology” The conclusion is that managing androgen excess requires long-term treatment, including hormonal contraceptives and androgen blockers, with follow-up after six months.
951 citations,
December 2013 in “Clinical epidemiology” PCOS is a common hormonal disorder in women that can be managed with lifestyle changes and various medications.
989 citations,
August 2007 in “The Lancet” PCOS is a complex condition with major health impacts, needing more research for better diagnosis and treatment.
4809 citations,
January 2004 in “Fertility and Sterility” The 2003 consensus updated PCOS diagnosis criteria and highlighted increased risks of diabetes and heart disease for those affected.
14 citations,
February 2016 in “Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research” Blood tests are needed to confirm high male hormone levels in women with PCOS, as physical signs alone are not reliable.
3 citations,
January 2012 in “Hanyang Medical Reviews” The document concludes that more research is needed to create suitable diagnostic criteria and understand PCOS in Korean women, and genetics may allow for personalized treatment.
10 citations,
December 2010 in “Fertility and Sterility” Patients with PCOS tend to score their hirsutism higher than clinicians, making self-scoring less useful for diagnosis.
10 citations,
November 2010 in “Skin therapy letter” Women with PCOS often have acne because of high androgen levels, and the article reviewed how to treat this type of acne.
85 citations,
June 2006 in “Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” The document concludes that hirsutism is the main sign for diagnosing hyperandrogenism, which requires a detailed patient history and physical exam.
1 citations,
April 1993 in “Problemy e̊ndokrinologii” Spironolactone effectively reduces symptoms of hyperandrogenism like hirsutism and acne.
