Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Overview and Management Strategies
July 2017
in “
Medicine
”
TLDR The document concludes that managing PCOS involves lifestyle changes, medication for symptoms, and weight loss for fertility improvement.
The document from 2017 provides an overview of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrine disorder in women, which is associated with anovulation, androgen excess, and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It outlines the genetic and environmental factors involved in PCOS etiology, diagnostic criteria including elevated serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels, and management strategies such as treating infertility, regulating menstruation, and addressing hyperandrogenism symptoms. The document emphasizes the importance of diet and lifestyle changes for overweight and obese women to improve fertility and prevent metabolic consequences. It also discusses the use of cyproterone acetate with ethinylestradiol, eflornithine, and spironolactone for hyperandrogenic symptoms, and the benefits of calorie restriction and metformin for improving insulin sensitivity and fertility. Thiazolidinediones are mentioned but discouraged due to risks. A case study recommends weight reduction as the initial management step for a 32-year-old woman with PCOS-related subfertility.