Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Understanding and Management

January 2004 in “ Elsevier eBooks ”

Richard S. Legro

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome PCOS hyperandrogenic chronic anovulation insulin-mediated glucose uptake hirsutism insulin sensitivity Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome PCOS excess male hormones irregular ovulation insulin resistance excessive hair growth improving insulin response

Studysummary This review discusses the complexities and challenges in treating polycystic ovarian syndrome and concludes that while lifestyle and insulin-sensitizing treatments show promise, randomized controlled trials are lacking.

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Research cited in this study

14 / 14 results

research Spironolactone Versus Placebo or in Combination with Steroids for Hirsutism and/or Acne

112 citations , April 2009 in “Cochrane library”

This review found some evidence suggesting that spironolactone can effectively reduce hirsutism in women but did not support its use for treating acne vulgaris.

research Objective Assessment of Treatment Response in Hirsutism

16 citations , November 2008 in “Hormone research”

In this study, cyproterone acetate treatment in hirsute women resulted in a 19% reduction in hair growth rate and a 33% improvement in physician-rated hirsutism scores.

research Relationship of the Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Controlled, Population-Based Study

61 citations , February 2001 in “American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology”

This study suggests that polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms are uncommon among women with metabolic syndrome, indicating it may represent only a specific subset within the broader context of metabolic syndrome.

Comparison of Spironolactone, Flutamide, and Finasteride Efficacy in the Treatment of Hirsutism: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

research Comparison of Spironolactone, Flutamide, and Finasteride Efficacy in the Treatment of Hirsutism: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

94 citations , January 2000 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This study found that spironolactone, flutamide, and finasteride are similarly effective in reducing hair diameter and Ferriman-Gallwey scores in women with hirsutism over a 6-month treatment period.

research Screening for 21-Hydroxylase-Deficient Nonclassic Adrenal Hyperplasia Among Hyperandrogenic Women: A Prospective Study

216 citations , November 1999 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This study found that a basal 17-hydroxyprogesterone level is effective for screening nonclassic adrenal hyperplasia in women, with a 4 ng/mL cutoff providing high specificity and positive predictive value.

research Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Unselected Black and White Women of the Southeastern United States: A Prospective Study

633 citations , September 1998 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This study observed that among a cohort of reproductive-aged women in the U.S., the prevalence of PCOS was about 4.0%, with no significant racial differences between White and Black women.

research Comparison of a Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist and a Low Dose Oral Contraceptive Given Alone or Together in the Treatment of Hirsutism

62 citations , December 1995 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism”

This study found that combining a GnRH agonist with a low-dose oral contraceptive was more effective in treating hirsutism than either agent alone and prevented hypoestrogenic side effects.

research Leuprolide and Estrogen Versus Oral Contraceptive Pills for the Treatment of Hirsutism: A Prospective Randomized Study

74 citations , December 1995 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism”

This study found that treatment with leuprolide plus cyclic estrogen/progestin may lead to a faster and greater improvement in hirsutism compared to a standard oral contraceptive regimen.

research Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Clinical and Biochemical Features

1947 citations , September 1995 in “New England journal of medicine/The New England journal of medicine”

This article discusses the heterogeneity of polycystic ovary syndrome, its association with insulin resistance, and its implications for long-term health, but reports no new clinical results.

research A Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing Finasteride to Spironolactone in the Treatment of Hirsute Women

52 citations , January 1995 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This study observed that finasteride and spironolactone both led to a similar significant, but limited, improvement in hirsutism despite their differing effects on androgen levels.

research Clinical and Hormonal Effects of the 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride in Idiopathic Hirsutism

33 citations , October 1994 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This study found that finasteride treatment significantly reduced hirsutism scores in women with idiopathic hirsutism over 6 months and was well tolerated.

research Effects of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Circulating Androgens and Gonadotropin Secretion in Hirsute Women

22 citations , September 1994 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This study found that three months of oral finasteride treatment significantly decreased dihydrotestosterone levels and hair growth in hirsute women without negatively affecting gonadotropin secretion.

research Side Effects of Spironolactone Therapy in the Hirsute Woman

80 citations , January 1988 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

This study observed that high-dose spironolactone frequently caused metrorrhagia in women with idiopathic hirsutism, leading the authors to suggest lower starting doses or additional hormonal therapy.

research Classification of the Types of Androgenetic Alopecia (Common Baldness) Occurring in the Female Sex

666 citations , September 1977 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This article presents a classification system for stages of female-pattern androgenetic alopecia to aid early diagnosis and mentions existing systems for rare male-pattern cases, but reports no new clinical results.