title: Polycystic ovarian syndrome management options.
abstract: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder of androgen excess and ovarian dysfunction. Hirsutism and elevated free testosterone levels are the most consistent signs of the androgen excess. Irregular, infrequent, or absent menses and infertility are symptoms of ovulatory dysfunction. Obesity is also a feature of this syndrome and contributes to associated metabolic abnormalities. Lifestyle modification should be the first treatment and is effective in reducing the signs and symptoms. The ovulatory infertility associated with PCOS can be overcome in most cases with oral (clomiphene citrate or letrozole) or injectable (gonadotropins) agents. Surgical intervention is reserved for cases resistant to medical management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama School of Medicine, 619 19th Street South, Building 176F, Room 10390, Birmingham, AL 35249-7333, USA. wbates@uab.edu
authors.forename: G Wright
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Bates
authors.forename: Anthony M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Propst
mesh_terms: D002996:Clomiphene / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D000077289:Letrozole; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000188:drug therapy; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009570:Nitriles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D014230:Triazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D009570:Nitriles; D014230:Triazoles; D002996:Clomiphene; D000077289:Letrozole; D008687:Metformin