Other treatment options
Treating acne
The treatments used for acne in women with PCOS are no different to the usual treatments for acne. Another leaflet discusses acne and its treatment in more detail. Treatment for acne usually works well.
Treating period problems
Some women who have no periods, or infrequent periods, do not want any treatment for this. However, your risk of developing cancer of the uterus (womb) may be increased if you have no periods for a long time. Regular periods will prevent this possible increased risk to the uterus.
Therefore, some women with PCOS are advised to take the contraceptive pill as it causes regular 'withdrawal bleeds' similar to periods. If this is not suitable, another option is to take progestogen hormone for several days every month which will cause a monthly bleed like a period. If neither of these is suitable, your doctor may advise a regular ultrasound scan of your uterus to detect any problems early.
Fertility issues
Although fertility is often reduced, you still need contraception if you want to be sure of not getting pregnant. The chance of becoming pregnant depends on how often you ovulate. Some women with PCOS ovulate now and then, others not at all.
If you do not ovulate but want to become pregnant, then fertility treatments have a high chance of success. The common treatment is with a drug called clomiphene. This works by causing ovulation. Other fertility treatments may be tried if clomiphene does not work. But remember, you are much less likely to become pregnant if you are obese. If you are obese or overweight then losing weight is advised in addition to other fertility treatments.
Metformin and other insulin sensitising drugs
Metformin is a drug that is commonly used to treat people with Type 2 diabetes. It makes the body's cells more sensitive to insulin. This may result in a decrease in the blood level of insulin which may help to counteract the underlying cause of PCOS - see above. Other newer insulin sensitising drugs include rosiglitazone, pioglitazone and D-chiro-Inositol. A specialist may advise that you take metformin or another insulin sensitising drug. However, further research is needed to confirm the role of these drugs in the treatment of PCOS.
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sofia, about 1 year
I suffer from pcos,now i am taking clomiphene as im trying for a baby.im really worry about this.im not over weight but i have irregular periods.this artical really helped me to understand.
Report this commentJo, over 2 years
Go to a homeopathic doctor who may be able to help provide an alternative solution. Buy the book by COlette Harris called the PCOS diet book and this will really help You are not alone and this is a chronic condition but it is a complex syndrome and no two people have the same symptoms. Contact VERITY and or SOUL Cysters and get support and you will see other paths available to you. Good luck
Report this commentSandra, over 2 years
this article was brilliant it really helped me understand. I found out i had polycystic ovary syndrome and now im taking clomiphene as im trying for a baby. Im not over weight but i do grow a bit of hair on my boobs and chest. But reading this article made me understand more about it.
Report this commentLisa, over 2 years
I suffer from pcos, and have done so since just before having my son in 1992. I have seen a specialist who prescribed metformin, then Diannette. Trouble is, i gag when taking pills, and cannot swallow them, and when able to swallow Diannette (just about), it gave me migraines everyday. Now my specialist will not do anything else for me. I also suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome so can't exercise to lose the weight, and i am now 13st 7. I am at my wits end. I have suffered from CFS since i was a child. I need help, and can't get it. It is just so unfair.
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Rachel, about 1 year
i'm in the middle of finding out if i have pcos, very scared of finding out if i do have it. i'm 15st and find i have no will power to loose it. i want a baby very much it gets me down just thinking about it. the girl who i work with is 5 months pregnant and by seeing her bump getting bigger makes me feel angry at myself, she is only 19 and doesn't seem bothered that she's pregnant yet i want a baby so bad. been trying for the past three years.
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