Polycystic ovary syndrome: treatment strategies and management

The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is possibly the most common endocrine disorder in premenopausal women, with prevalences in the 6-7% range reported worldwide. Although PCOS is primarily a disorder of androgen excess, affected women frequently present with abdominal adiposity and insulin resistance, explaining the association of PCOS with metabolic comorbidities and an increased cardiovascular risk. Abdominal adiposity, and very especially the compensatory hyperinsulinism resulting from insulin resistance, further contribute to hyperandrogenism. These pathophysiological mechanisms must be considered when deciding the optimal therapy for PCOS patients.

To review the impact of the current approaches to the treatment of PCOS on the metabolic associations and the cardiovascular risk of these women.

Review of published studies addressing the effects of different treatment strategies of PCOS.

The resolution of PCOS after the marked and sustained weight loss attained after bariatric surgery makes this therapeutic option a first-line strategy in women presenting with severe obesity. In patients with lesser grades of obesity who desire fertility, a short trial of metformin, followed by classic ovulation induction and/or assisted reproductive techniques in case pregnancy is not achieved in a few months, is a reasonable approach. If fertility is not an immediate concern, third generation oral contraceptive pills containing a neutral or antiandrogenic progestin remains the drug of choice, considering their efficacy, their excellent tolerability, and their overall metabolic safety.

Strategies targeting obesity and abdominal adiposity, insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism, alone or in combination, are effective in ameliorating the signs and symptoms of hyperandrogenism while improving the metabolic comorbidities and the cardiovascular risk of these patients in most cases.