title: Polycystic ovary syndrome: chemical pharmacotherapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common reproductive endocrine disease among women of childbearing age. The clinical features are heterogeneous and vary in intensity. Hirsutism, menstrual disorders and infertility are the most frequent conditions observed; however, long-term complications (dyslipidemia, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, endometrial cancer) are also often described. Each disorder may be managed by tailored strategies, employing sequential or combined pharmacological and/or non-pharmacological treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors review the drugs used for PCOS management and discuss new approaches. A systematic MEDLINE search regarding the randomized controlled trials, retrospective and observational studies about medical treatments of PCOS, the Cochrane library for reviews and also search for registered trials on ClinicalTrials.gov is performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A uniform treatment for PCOS patients does not exist. Clinicians should perform an accurate evaluation of patients' characteristics, identifying the phenotypic target and, subsequently, the best-tailored treatment to manage one or more clinical issues. Lifestyle intervention should always be the first recommended approach unless other issues indicate that drug or hormonal interventions are superior.
authors.affiliation: 'Magna Graecia' University, Cancer Center of Excellence "Tommaso Campanella" of Germaneto, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oncology Unit , Viale Europa, loc. Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro , Italy +39 328 5692428 ; +39 0961 883234 ; rita.mocciaro@hotmail.it.
authors.forename: Morena Luigia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Rocca
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Venturella
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mocciaro
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Cello
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sacchinelli
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Trapasso
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zullo
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morelli
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000188:drug therapy; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000188:drug therapy; D008019:Life Style; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000188:drug therapy; D064887:Observational Studies as Topic; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: cardiovascular risk; endometrial cancer; hyperandrogenism; infertility; menstrual disorder; oligoamenorrhea; polycystic ovary syndrome