Management
Medical treatment of PCOS is tailored to the patient's goals. Broadly, these may be considered under four categories:
- Lowering of insulin levels
- Restoration of fertility
- Treatment of hirsutism or acne
- Restoration of regular menstruation, and prevention of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer
In each of these areas, there is considerable debate as to the optimal treatment. One of the major reasons for this is the lack of large scale clinical trials comparing different treatments. Smaller trials tend to be less reliable and hence may produce conflicting results.
General interventions that help to reduce weight or insulin resistance can be beneficial for all these aims, because they address what is believed to be the underlying cause.
In addition, as PCOS appears to cause significant emotional distress, it is recommended that clinicians discuss emotional aspects of PCOS with patients and refer for appropriate support where necessary and in accordance with patient preference.
Read more about this topic: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
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