1. Prevent Pregnancy and Regulate Cycles With Birth Control
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who don't wish to become pregnant should consider using a low dose birth control pill. Going on the pill can regulate hormone levels, which will lead to regular menstrual cycles. Birth control pills also can reduce levels of male hormones, excess hair growth and acne. Some birth control pills can even help a woman with PCOS lose weight.
2. Use Fertility Drugs to Achieve Pregnancy
Many women with PCOS experience infertility or difficulty getting pregnant. If you want to conceive and have polycystic ovarian syndrome, ovarian induction becomes necessary. Inducing ovulation in a woman with irregular menstrual cycles will cause a mature egg to become available for fertilization. The drug Clomid (clomiphene citrate) can induce ovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. If Clomid doesn't help a woman with PCOS conceive, a doctor may suggest the use of gonadotropins (another type of fertility medication). Some women with polycystic ovarian syndrome will ultimately resort to using in vitro fertilization (IVF) to achieve a pregnancy.
3. Consider Diabetes Medications
Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (also known as Stein-Leventhal syndrome) can also have elevated blood glucose levels and insulin resistance. These problems can lead to an increased risk of developing type-2 diabetes. Using diabetes medications such as metformin or glucophage can help. These medications can lower blood glucose levels, increase the effectiveness of insulin in the body, lower the levels of male hormones in the bloodstream and reduce excess hair growth in women with PCOS. In addition, after several months of use, metformin or glucophage can restore normal menstrual cycles. Some women using these medications also find it easier to lose weight.
4. Lower Male Hormone Levels With Antiandrogens
If a woman with PCOS has elevated levels of male hormones in her bloodstream, a doctor may prescribe medications called antiandrogens. These medications, such as spironolactone or aldactone, can lower male hormone levels in women with PCOS. This can also lead to a reduction in excess hair growth and acne.
5. Use Ovarian Drilling as a Last Resort
Women with PCOS who want to get pregnant and have not had success with various fertility drugs, may try ovarian drilling to achieve pregnancy. In this laparoscopic surgery, an electric current destroys a small part of the ovary. This can help lower male hormone levels and induce ovulation in women with PCOS. The effects of this surgery, however, may be temporary.
