An Update of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Causes and Therapeutic Options

October 2022 in “ Heliyon ”

Abeer Rababa'h, Bayan R. Matani, Alaa Yehya

androgenic alopecia metformin clomiphene citrate letrozole gonadotrophins laparoscopic ovarian drilling bariatric surgery artificial insemination in-vitro fertilization Clomid Femara IVF

TLDR Polycystic ovary syndrome, a disorder causing menstrual issues and infertility, can be treated with lifestyle changes, medication, herbal remedies, surgery, and assisted reproductive techniques like artificial insemination and IVF.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder causing menstrual irregularities, chronic anovulation, hirsutism, androgenic alopecia, and acne, and is associated with 80% of anovulatory infertility. Treatment strategies include lifestyle interventions, pharmacological agents like metformin and clomiphene citrate, and herbal medicine. Weight loss is the first line treatment for overweight females with PCOS seeking pregnancy. Medications used for ovulation induction include Clomiphene citrate, Letrozole, Metformin, and Gonadotrophins. Genetic testing could help identify patients who may not respond to metformin. Herbal medicine is also gaining popularity in managing PCOS symptoms. Surgical interventions, such as Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling (LOD) and bariatric surgery, provide alternatives for patients unresponsive to conventional medical therapy. Assisted reproductive techniques, specifically artificial insemination and in-vitro fertilization (IVF), are used for infertile females with PCOS. The document also discusses the impact of COVID-19 on IVF and fertility attempts.

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