What treatments are available for women who have been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)?
There is no cure for PCOS, but it can be managed so that other problems are prevented. The treatment plan is determined by the symptoms that a woman is experiencing. A health care provider may use one plan or a combination of plans, depending on a woman’s situation. The following list includes common treatment options: • Birth control pills- Women who are not trying to conceive may find it beneficial to begin taking birth control pills. These can help regulate periods and improve acne and hair growth. Symptoms can return if a woman stops taking the pills. Birth control pills containing only progesterone can help with the irregular periods but will not help with acne or abnormal hair growth. • Diabetes medications- Metformin/Glucophage can regulate the production of glucose and the male hormones. The abnormal hair growth should slow down, and ovulation may return in a few months. Taking metformin will not cause a person to become diabetic. • Fertility medications- The primary fertility
