Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Symptoms, Risks, and Treatments

    December 2015 in “ Kosin Medical Journal ”
    Yong Ji, Min Jeong Kim
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    TLDR PCOS treatment should address both symptoms and metabolic risks, starting with lifestyle changes and possibly including medication.
    Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects 6%-7% of women of reproductive age and is characterized by symptoms such as chronic anovulation, hyperandrogenism, irregular menses, infertility, hirsutism, acne, and male-pattern hair loss. It also carries a risk for serious metabolic complications like type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The review from 2015 highlights that treatment should not only focus on symptomatic relief but also on managing metabolic risks. Lifestyle interventions are recommended as the first-line treatment, particularly for overweight individuals, while pharmacological options include hormonal contraceptives, anti-androgens, and insulin-sensitizers like metformin.
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