There are various differing symptoms for PCOS that women suffer from. Below are different treatments for different types of PCOS symptoms.

Treatments for improving fertility in women with PCOS

Clomifene (e.g. Clomid)

Clomifene is an effective method of achieving ovulation. It is a simple and easy method of treatment with tablets (which are taken 5 days a month). An obvious benefit if pregnancy occurs (pregnancy also lowers the increased risk of ovarian tumour back to that of the normal population).

However, taking Clomifene does have its risks. For example, it increases the chances of multiple pregnancies if several mature follicles develop. There is also an increased risk of ovarian tumours in women having more than 12 cycles of treatment.

Gonadotrophin injections

Gonadotrophin injections develop multiple egg follicles on the ovaries by directly stimulating the ovaries. Ovulation rates of over 90 per cent in most women and pregnancy rates of over 20-25 per cent per cycle make Gonadotrophin injections a more popular method of PCOS treatment.

Like any other form of PCOS treatment, gonadotrophin injections do have their risks. Women can suffer from ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and their chances of multiple pregnancies will increase if many mature follicles develop.

Metformin (e.g. Glucosphage)

Metformin is responsible for the reduction of male steroid by the ovaries. If all other treatments have failed then metformin is used. It improves the uptake of sugars into cells by insulin. It has ovulation rates of upto 90%. The chances of miscarriage are also lowered.

There are not any significant risks with metformin. Considerable gastrointestinal upset has been reported - particularly diarrhoea - which is somewhat improved by reducing the daily dose.

Treatments for other features of PCOS including hirsutism, irregular or absent periods and obesity.

Raised androgen (male sex hormone level)

Metformin reduces the abnormal findings of raised androgens and decreased sex-hormone binding protein in the blood, but it can cause considerable gastrointestinal upset - particularly diarrhoea - which is somewhat improved by reducing the daily dose. It is less effective in women of normal weight and does not improve hirsutism.

Irregular periods

Metformin is also useful for helping the problem of irregular periods with a return of periods in 90-95 per cent of women.

Obesity

Several studies have examined the effect of metformin on weight loss, the majority support its effectiveness.

Hair growth (hirsutism)

Combined oral contraceptive pills, particularly ones containing the anti-androgen cyproterone acetate. These increase the levels of the sex hormone carrier in the blood, leaving less androgen free to cause hair growth. It can take upto six months before any noticeable improvements occur and two to three years to achieve absolute results because of the length of the growth-cycle of hair.

Finasteride helps reduce the amount of hair by preventing androgen entering into cells. Side effects include headache and depression, and contraception is vital to avoid accidental exposure to a foetus. It can be useful as a second choice drug for the treatment of excess hair but is not licensed for this purpose.

Endometrial cancer (cancer of the womb lining)

Progestogens, medroxyprogesterone acetate. Stops endometrium (womb lining) from developing, and combats any tendency towards cell abnormalities and cancer. Occasional bloating and fluid retention occur.

The increased risk of endometrial cancer is thought to be due to certain hormonal abnormalities that result in continuous stimulation of the lining of the womb by oestrogen. However, the mild increase in insulin found in these women may also have negative effects.

It does seem sensible to advise women with absent or very infrequent periods to take occasional progestogen therapy to 'oppose' the oestrogen and minimise the risk of endometrial cancer.

PCOS Natural

While some medical treatments may work well there is significant proof that there are PCOS natural treatments that can essentially cure the symptoms of this condition.

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