Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMenstrual IssuesInfertilityInsulin ResistanceWeight GainHyperandrogenismFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Menstrual Issues
Infertility
Insulin Resistance
Weight Gain
Hyperandrogenism
Frequently Asked Questions
Read on to learn about the medications used to manage PCOS symptoms.
Dan Dalton / Getty Images
Menstrual Dysfunction
Some drug therapies can regulate hormones to restore a normalmenstrual cycle.
There are two types of oral medications commonly used to treat menstrual irregularities in PCOS:
Protective Effects and ProgesteroneIn addition to these oral medications,vaginal contraceptive ringsandintrauterine devices (IUDs) containing progesteronecan help to treat menstrual irregularities associated with PCOS.They may offer other health benefits including protection against:Endometrial cancerEctopic pregnancyOvarian and breast cysts
Protective Effects and Progesterone
In addition to these oral medications,vaginal contraceptive ringsandintrauterine devices (IUDs) containing progesteronecan help to treat menstrual irregularities associated with PCOS.They may offer other health benefits including protection against:Endometrial cancerEctopic pregnancyOvarian and breast cysts
In addition to these oral medications,vaginal contraceptive ringsandintrauterine devices (IUDs) containing progesteronecan help to treat menstrual irregularities associated with PCOS.They may offer other health benefits including protection against:
Why Women With PCOS Have Irregular Periods
For many women, PCOS-related hormonal dysfunction can make it difficult to get pregnant. This is often related to irregular or absent ovulation (anovulation), which means that a woman doesn’t release an egg that can be fertilized.
There are medications that can improve the chances of getting pregnant for those experiencing infertility. these treatments are used either alone or in combination.
Medications used for treating infertility in PCOS include:
In experimental studies, the non-hormonal supplementinositolhas shown promise in promoting ovulation when treating PCOS. However, a review of 30 clinical trials involving inositol was completed as part of a process to inform updated 2023 international guidelines for managing PCOS.The review of inositol compared with other therapies found evidence for its use in PCOS to be limited and inconclusive.
Why Women With PCOS Have Difficulty Conceiving
Diabetes drugs are commonly used (sometimes off-label) to treat insulin resistance in women with PCOS, the options of which include:
In addition to medications, lifestyle modifications (including routine exercise and diets low in fat and refined sugars) are considered central to treatment.
An Overview of Oral Diabetes Medications
Roughly half of women with PCOS areoverweight or obese.Not only does PCOS contribute to weight gain, but it also makes it far more difficult forwomen to lose weight. In addition to exercise and diet, drug therapies are sometimes used to assist with weight loss.
Current options may include:
It’s important to note thatBelviq (lorcaserin),a previously prescribed weight-loss medication, was withdrawn from the market in February 2020 due to concerns regarding an increased occurrence of cancer in those taking the drug.
Why Losing Weight Is Hard With PCOS
Women with PCOS often have elevated levels of male hormones (androgens), includingtestosterone. The condition, referred to ashyperandrogenism, can lead to lead to the onset of secondary male characteristics in such as male-pattern hair loss andhirsutism(excessive facial and body hair growth).
Hyperandrogenism is commonly treated with drugs that either block androgen production or counteract the effects of abnormal hair growth.
These include:
In addition to changes in hair growth, hyperandrogenism can lead to the development of acne. PCOS-induced acne is typically treated with topical preparations such asbenzoyl peroxide,salicylic acid,retinoids, orantibiotics.
Lifestyle Changes in PCOSMedication for treating PCOS often is used in combination with recommended lifestyle changes that include weight loss and exercise. Your healthcare provider may offer these recommendations as a first-line intervention before prescribing medication.
Lifestyle Changes in PCOS
Medication for treating PCOS often is used in combination with recommended lifestyle changes that include weight loss and exercise. Your healthcare provider may offer these recommendations as a first-line intervention before prescribing medication.
A Word From Verywell
To better cope with the symptoms that PCOS can cause, you may need to work with one or more doctors experienced with the disorder. This may include agynecologist, anendocrinologist, or a fertility specialist known as a reproductive endocrinologist.
Because the treatment of PCOS can affect other hormone-influenced conditions, including high blood pressure and diabetes, it is important that these specialists work in coordination with yourprimary care physicianor any other specialist you may be seeing.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIf you have infertility issues with PCOS, your doctor may prescribe medications to help regulate ovulation. These include Clomid (clomiphene citrate), Femara (letrozole), and Glucophage (metformin). Gonadotropins, which are hormone injections, may also be an option for stimulating the growth of an egg follicle. When medications haven’t worked, other options may includeintrauterine insemination(IUI) andin vitro fertilization(IVF).Learn MoreAn Overview of PCOS & InfertilityWeight loss medications may help with regulating ovulation in PCOS patients who are overweight or obese. One study found that orlistat, a weight-loss medication, helped induce ovulation at a similar rate as metformin, an insulin-sensitizing medication, but with fewer side effects.It may be an option if you have PCOS and a BMI of 35 or more. Studies of patients who had sleeve gastrectomy found that along with weight loss, androgen levels dropped and patients had more regular menstruation and ovulation.Your doctor can help you weigh the benefits and risks of bariatric surgery.Learn MoreWeight Loss Surgery for PCOS
If you have infertility issues with PCOS, your doctor may prescribe medications to help regulate ovulation. These include Clomid (clomiphene citrate), Femara (letrozole), and Glucophage (metformin). Gonadotropins, which are hormone injections, may also be an option for stimulating the growth of an egg follicle. When medications haven’t worked, other options may includeintrauterine insemination(IUI) andin vitro fertilization(IVF).Learn MoreAn Overview of PCOS & Infertility
If you have infertility issues with PCOS, your doctor may prescribe medications to help regulate ovulation. These include Clomid (clomiphene citrate), Femara (letrozole), and Glucophage (metformin). Gonadotropins, which are hormone injections, may also be an option for stimulating the growth of an egg follicle. When medications haven’t worked, other options may includeintrauterine insemination(IUI) andin vitro fertilization(IVF).
Learn MoreAn Overview of PCOS & Infertility
Weight loss medications may help with regulating ovulation in PCOS patients who are overweight or obese. One study found that orlistat, a weight-loss medication, helped induce ovulation at a similar rate as metformin, an insulin-sensitizing medication, but with fewer side effects.
It may be an option if you have PCOS and a BMI of 35 or more. Studies of patients who had sleeve gastrectomy found that along with weight loss, androgen levels dropped and patients had more regular menstruation and ovulation.Your doctor can help you weigh the benefits and risks of bariatric surgery.Learn MoreWeight Loss Surgery for PCOS
It may be an option if you have PCOS and a BMI of 35 or more. Studies of patients who had sleeve gastrectomy found that along with weight loss, androgen levels dropped and patients had more regular menstruation and ovulation.Your doctor can help you weigh the benefits and risks of bariatric surgery.
Learn MoreWeight Loss Surgery for PCOS
Tips for Coping With PCOS
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ndefo UA, Eaton A, Green MR.Polycystic ovary syndrome: A review of treatment options with a focus on pharmacological approaches.P T. 2013;38(6):336–55.University of California at Los Angeles Health.Understanding the link between birth control pills and potential reduced risk of certain cancers.Legro RS.Evaluation and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. In: Endotext.Bahamondes L, Valeria Bahamondes M, Shulman LP.Non-contraceptive benefits of hormonal and intrauterine reversible contraceptive methods.Hum Reprod Update. 2015;21(5):640-651. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmv023Madej P, Franik G, Kurpas P, Owczarek A, Chudek J, Olszanecka-Glinianowicz M.Evaluation of adipokines, inflammatory markers, and sex hormones in simple and complex breast cysts' fluid.Dis Markers. 2016;2016:5174929. doi:10.1155/2016/5174929American Society for Reproductive Medicine.Recommendations from the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.Sawant S, Bhide P.Fertility treatment options for women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Clin Med Insights Reprod Health. 2019;13:1179558119890867. doi:10.1177/1179558119890867American Society for Reproductive Medicine.Recommendations from the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.Fitz V, Graca S, Mahalingaiah S, Liu J, Lai L, Butt A,et al.Inositol for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis to Inform the 2023 Update of the International Evidence-based PCOS Guidelines.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2024 May 17;109(6):1630-1655. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgad762.Ibricevic D, Asimi ZV.Frequency of prediabetes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Med Arch. 2013;67(4):282-5. doi:10.5455/medarh.2013.67.282-285Dashti S, Latiff LA, Zulkefli NABM, et al.A review on the assessment of the efficacy of common treatments in polycystic ovarian syndrome on prevention of diabetes mellitus.J Family Reprod Health. 2017;11(2):56-66.Legro RS.Obesity and PCOS: Implications for diagnosis and treatment.Semin Reprod Med.2012;30(6):496-506. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1328878U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves new drug treatment for weight management, first since 2014.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA requests the withdrawal of the weight-loss drug Belviq, Belviq XR (lorcaserin) from the market.Pasquali R, Zanotti L, Fanelli F, et al.Defining hyperandrogenism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A challenging perspective.J Clin Endocrinol Metab.2016;101(5):2013-22. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-4009Malhotra N, Arora T, Suri V, Jena SK, Verma A, Gowri M,et al.Individualized lifestyle intervention in PCOS women (IPOS): a study protocol for a multicentric randomized controlled trial for evaluating the effectiveness of an individualized lifestyle intervention in PCOS women who wish to conceive.Trials. 2023 Jul 18;24(1):457. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07466-y. Erratum in: Trials. 2023 Jul 31;24(1):486. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07535-2.Kumar P, Arora S.Orlistat in polycystic ovarian syndrome reduces weight with improvement in lipid profile and pregnancy rates.J Hum Reprod Sci. 2014;7(4):255. doi:10.4103/0974-1208.147492Lee R, Joy Mathew C, Jose M, Elshaikh A, Shah L, Cancarevic I.A review of the impact of bariatric surgery in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Cureus. 2020. doi:10.7759/cureus.10811
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ndefo UA, Eaton A, Green MR.Polycystic ovary syndrome: A review of treatment options with a focus on pharmacological approaches.P T. 2013;38(6):336–55.University of California at Los Angeles Health.Understanding the link between birth control pills and potential reduced risk of certain cancers.Legro RS.Evaluation and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. In: Endotext.Bahamondes L, Valeria Bahamondes M, Shulman LP.Non-contraceptive benefits of hormonal and intrauterine reversible contraceptive methods.Hum Reprod Update. 2015;21(5):640-651. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmv023Madej P, Franik G, Kurpas P, Owczarek A, Chudek J, Olszanecka-Glinianowicz M.Evaluation of adipokines, inflammatory markers, and sex hormones in simple and complex breast cysts' fluid.Dis Markers. 2016;2016:5174929. doi:10.1155/2016/5174929American Society for Reproductive Medicine.Recommendations from the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.Sawant S, Bhide P.Fertility treatment options for women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Clin Med Insights Reprod Health. 2019;13:1179558119890867. doi:10.1177/1179558119890867American Society for Reproductive Medicine.Recommendations from the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.Fitz V, Graca S, Mahalingaiah S, Liu J, Lai L, Butt A,et al.Inositol for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis to Inform the 2023 Update of the International Evidence-based PCOS Guidelines.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2024 May 17;109(6):1630-1655. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgad762.Ibricevic D, Asimi ZV.Frequency of prediabetes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Med Arch. 2013;67(4):282-5. doi:10.5455/medarh.2013.67.282-285Dashti S, Latiff LA, Zulkefli NABM, et al.A review on the assessment of the efficacy of common treatments in polycystic ovarian syndrome on prevention of diabetes mellitus.J Family Reprod Health. 2017;11(2):56-66.Legro RS.Obesity and PCOS: Implications for diagnosis and treatment.Semin Reprod Med.2012;30(6):496-506. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1328878U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves new drug treatment for weight management, first since 2014.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA requests the withdrawal of the weight-loss drug Belviq, Belviq XR (lorcaserin) from the market.Pasquali R, Zanotti L, Fanelli F, et al.Defining hyperandrogenism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A challenging perspective.J Clin Endocrinol Metab.2016;101(5):2013-22. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-4009Malhotra N, Arora T, Suri V, Jena SK, Verma A, Gowri M,et al.Individualized lifestyle intervention in PCOS women (IPOS): a study protocol for a multicentric randomized controlled trial for evaluating the effectiveness of an individualized lifestyle intervention in PCOS women who wish to conceive.Trials. 2023 Jul 18;24(1):457. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07466-y. Erratum in: Trials. 2023 Jul 31;24(1):486. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07535-2.Kumar P, Arora S.Orlistat in polycystic ovarian syndrome reduces weight with improvement in lipid profile and pregnancy rates.J Hum Reprod Sci. 2014;7(4):255. doi:10.4103/0974-1208.147492Lee R, Joy Mathew C, Jose M, Elshaikh A, Shah L, Cancarevic I.A review of the impact of bariatric surgery in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Cureus. 2020. doi:10.7759/cureus.10811
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ndefo UA, Eaton A, Green MR.Polycystic ovary syndrome: A review of treatment options with a focus on pharmacological approaches.P T. 2013;38(6):336–55.University of California at Los Angeles Health.Understanding the link between birth control pills and potential reduced risk of certain cancers.Legro RS.Evaluation and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. In: Endotext.Bahamondes L, Valeria Bahamondes M, Shulman LP.Non-contraceptive benefits of hormonal and intrauterine reversible contraceptive methods.Hum Reprod Update. 2015;21(5):640-651. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmv023Madej P, Franik G, Kurpas P, Owczarek A, Chudek J, Olszanecka-Glinianowicz M.Evaluation of adipokines, inflammatory markers, and sex hormones in simple and complex breast cysts' fluid.Dis Markers. 2016;2016:5174929. doi:10.1155/2016/5174929American Society for Reproductive Medicine.Recommendations from the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.Sawant S, Bhide P.Fertility treatment options for women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Clin Med Insights Reprod Health. 2019;13:1179558119890867. doi:10.1177/1179558119890867American Society for Reproductive Medicine.Recommendations from the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.Fitz V, Graca S, Mahalingaiah S, Liu J, Lai L, Butt A,et al.Inositol for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis to Inform the 2023 Update of the International Evidence-based PCOS Guidelines.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2024 May 17;109(6):1630-1655. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgad762.Ibricevic D, Asimi ZV.Frequency of prediabetes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Med Arch. 2013;67(4):282-5. doi:10.5455/medarh.2013.67.282-285Dashti S, Latiff LA, Zulkefli NABM, et al.A review on the assessment of the efficacy of common treatments in polycystic ovarian syndrome on prevention of diabetes mellitus.J Family Reprod Health. 2017;11(2):56-66.Legro RS.Obesity and PCOS: Implications for diagnosis and treatment.Semin Reprod Med.2012;30(6):496-506. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1328878U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves new drug treatment for weight management, first since 2014.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA requests the withdrawal of the weight-loss drug Belviq, Belviq XR (lorcaserin) from the market.Pasquali R, Zanotti L, Fanelli F, et al.Defining hyperandrogenism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A challenging perspective.J Clin Endocrinol Metab.2016;101(5):2013-22. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-4009Malhotra N, Arora T, Suri V, Jena SK, Verma A, Gowri M,et al.Individualized lifestyle intervention in PCOS women (IPOS): a study protocol for a multicentric randomized controlled trial for evaluating the effectiveness of an individualized lifestyle intervention in PCOS women who wish to conceive.Trials. 2023 Jul 18;24(1):457. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07466-y. Erratum in: Trials. 2023 Jul 31;24(1):486. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07535-2.Kumar P, Arora S.Orlistat in polycystic ovarian syndrome reduces weight with improvement in lipid profile and pregnancy rates.J Hum Reprod Sci. 2014;7(4):255. doi:10.4103/0974-1208.147492Lee R, Joy Mathew C, Jose M, Elshaikh A, Shah L, Cancarevic I.A review of the impact of bariatric surgery in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Cureus. 2020. doi:10.7759/cureus.10811
Ndefo UA, Eaton A, Green MR.Polycystic ovary syndrome: A review of treatment options with a focus on pharmacological approaches.P T. 2013;38(6):336–55.
University of California at Los Angeles Health.Understanding the link between birth control pills and potential reduced risk of certain cancers.
Legro RS.Evaluation and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. In: Endotext.
Bahamondes L, Valeria Bahamondes M, Shulman LP.Non-contraceptive benefits of hormonal and intrauterine reversible contraceptive methods.Hum Reprod Update. 2015;21(5):640-651. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmv023
Madej P, Franik G, Kurpas P, Owczarek A, Chudek J, Olszanecka-Glinianowicz M.Evaluation of adipokines, inflammatory markers, and sex hormones in simple and complex breast cysts' fluid.Dis Markers. 2016;2016:5174929. doi:10.1155/2016/5174929
American Society for Reproductive Medicine.Recommendations from the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
Sawant S, Bhide P.Fertility treatment options for women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Clin Med Insights Reprod Health. 2019;13:1179558119890867. doi:10.1177/1179558119890867
Fitz V, Graca S, Mahalingaiah S, Liu J, Lai L, Butt A,et al.Inositol for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis to Inform the 2023 Update of the International Evidence-based PCOS Guidelines.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2024 May 17;109(6):1630-1655. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgad762.
Ibricevic D, Asimi ZV.Frequency of prediabetes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Med Arch. 2013;67(4):282-5. doi:10.5455/medarh.2013.67.282-285
Dashti S, Latiff LA, Zulkefli NABM, et al.A review on the assessment of the efficacy of common treatments in polycystic ovarian syndrome on prevention of diabetes mellitus.J Family Reprod Health. 2017;11(2):56-66.
Legro RS.Obesity and PCOS: Implications for diagnosis and treatment.Semin Reprod Med.2012;30(6):496-506. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1328878
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves new drug treatment for weight management, first since 2014.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA requests the withdrawal of the weight-loss drug Belviq, Belviq XR (lorcaserin) from the market.
Pasquali R, Zanotti L, Fanelli F, et al.Defining hyperandrogenism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A challenging perspective.J Clin Endocrinol Metab.2016;101(5):2013-22. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-4009
Malhotra N, Arora T, Suri V, Jena SK, Verma A, Gowri M,et al.Individualized lifestyle intervention in PCOS women (IPOS): a study protocol for a multicentric randomized controlled trial for evaluating the effectiveness of an individualized lifestyle intervention in PCOS women who wish to conceive.Trials. 2023 Jul 18;24(1):457. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07466-y. Erratum in: Trials. 2023 Jul 31;24(1):486. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07535-2.
Kumar P, Arora S.Orlistat in polycystic ovarian syndrome reduces weight with improvement in lipid profile and pregnancy rates.J Hum Reprod Sci. 2014;7(4):255. doi:10.4103/0974-1208.147492
Lee R, Joy Mathew C, Jose M, Elshaikh A, Shah L, Cancarevic I.A review of the impact of bariatric surgery in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Cureus. 2020. doi:10.7759/cureus.10811
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