Is Valproate Pharmacotherapy Associated with Polycystic Ovaries

OBJECTIVE:To review and evaluate the published data associating the use of valproate with the development of polycystic ovaries.DATA SOURCES:A computerized search of MEDLINE (1966–May 1999) and Current Contents was performed. Also, bibliographies were cross-referenced to yield additional pertinent publications. All articles written in English were considered for review.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:All pertinent clinical studies and review articles associating valproate with polycystic ovaries and other endocrinologic disorders were evaluated.DATA SYNTHESIS:Valproate is among the most commonly used medications today effective in the treatment of a variety of neurologic and psychiatric disorders. An accumulating body of literature has suggested an increase in the incidence of polycystic ovarian syndrome among women treated with valproate. The syndrome is characterized as hyperandrogenism and chronic anovulation in the absence of identifiable adrenal or pituitary pathology. It is a highly prevalent sy...