Well known PCOS Treatments

Birth Control Pills – For women that are not trying to conceive, birth control pills will help regulate the menstrual cycle, help reduce male hormones, and help with skin’s complexion and acne.

Diabetes medications such as Metformin (or Glucophage) – Metformin affects the way the body responds to insulin. It helps to make the insulin you have work better, it does not actually lower blood sugar itself. Metformin helps improve the way your body uses insulin so that it does not need to produce as much to control your blood sugar. Because insulin levels are reduced, male hormone production decreases as well. With this decrease in androgens women may see improvement in male hair growth and ovulation may return.

Fertility Medications such as Clomid - Fertility medications may be used to induce ovulation.

Anti-androgen medications such as Spironolactone - For women that are not trying to get pregnant, anti-androgens may be effective in treating skin conditions or excessive hair growth.

Weight Loss – Obesity is linked to PCOS. Losing weight may help improve insulin regulation and glucose levels. However, because insulin regulation may be a factor in weight control, losing weight may be difficult.

Surgery – If other methods of PCOS treatment do not work, your doctor may suggest ovarian drilling. This is not done as a first response to PCOS but sometimes used if other methods do not work. Ovarian drilling is done by inserting a small telescope into the abdomen. Small holes are drilled into the ovary with an electrosurgical needle. This procedure destroys a small portion of the ovary, which may reduce androgen levels and bring about ovulation.