TLDR Surgery can be a safe and effective option for infertile women with PCOS who don't respond to medication and want to get pregnant.
The review analyzed 17 studies on the effectiveness of laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) and transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy (THL) in treating infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) resistant to drug therapy. Over 50% of patients experienced spontaneous ovulation after surgery, with no significant differences between LOD and THL. Over 40% of patients delivered, with a higher rate after LOD, but there were eight ectopic pregnancies and sixty-three miscarriages. THL had a lower risk of adhesion formation. Despite the limited and varied data, the review concluded that surgical therapy could be a safe and effective approach for managing PCOS in patients resistant to pharmacological treatment who wish to become pregnant.
54 citations,
August 2017 in “Gynecological Endocrinology” Lifestyle changes and weight loss are key for treating PCOS-related metabolic issues and infertility, with various medications available for specific symptoms.
9 citations,
May 2017 in “Gynecological Endocrinology” Transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy is effective for increasing ovulation and pregnancy rates in women with PCOS who didn't respond to clomiphene.
4025 citations,
December 2003 in “Human Reproduction” The 2003 consensus updated PCOS diagnosis criteria and linked PCOS to higher risks of diabetes and heart problems, recommending lifestyle changes to lower these risks.
21 citations,
November 2017 in “Cochrane library” Ovarian drilling surgery is not clearly better than medical treatments for PCOS symptoms.
9 citations,
May 2017 in “Gynecological Endocrinology” Transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy is effective for increasing ovulation and pregnancy rates in women with PCOS who didn't respond to clomiphene.
36 citations,
October 2021 in “Frontiers in Endocrinology” Insulin resistance and high male hormone levels are major causes of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
4 citations,
November 2012 in “Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Reproductive Medicine” Lifestyle changes and clomiphene are first-line treatments for infertility in women with PCOS, with other options available if these fail.
November 2017 in “Elsevier eBooks” PCOS is a genetic disorder affecting women's reproductive health, with treatments focused on symptoms like insulin resistance and fertility.
