Current Pharmacotherapeutic Approach to the Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

Purpose: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of infertility and the treatment aims to correct the menstrual cycle, excess androgen characteristics such as hirsutism, acne, and alopecia and increase the pregnancy rates in patients who are planning to conceive. The objective of this review is to provide an overall view on the currently available treatment options for PCOS.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the database using MEDLINE, PUBMED, SCIENCE DIRECT, SPRINGER LINK, EMBASE, OVID and SCOPUS

Findings: The results of this review showed a wide range of therapeutic options that improves the overall life style of the PCOS patient. The proposed mechanism of PCOS include hypothalamic abnormal gonadotrophic releasing hormone pulsatile secretion, excess of luteinizing hormone, increased ovarian or adrenal androgen production, cortisol increased catabolism, and abnormalities in insulin production or action.

Implications: The current available therapeutic options include estrogen receptor modulators, insulin sensitizing agents, aromatase inhibitors, gonadotropins, combined oral contraceptives and anti-androgens which provides a successful improvement in the clinical presentation of the patient interfering with one or more mechanisms of PCOS.