Treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: recent trial results

Polycystic ovary syndrome, the most common endocrinopathy affecting women of reproductive age, is considered a form of metabolic syndrome stemming from the interaction of environment and genetic susceptibility. Accordingly, diet modification and a structured exercise protocol are the preferred approaches in the management of this condition. Pharmacological treatment options are moderately effective and, there are plenty of available therapies, such as contraceptive pills, insulin sensitizers and antiandrogens, amongst others. Drugs can be prescribed dependent on the status of the patient (e.g., during pregnancy or adolescence) and the desired outcome (e.g., treatment of hirsutism, irregular menses, infertility). Various drug combinations have been proposed and tested (e.g., spironolactone and metformin), and have demonstrated superior efficacy in trials. In this review, we present the data from trials in polycystic ovary syndrome management and assess the relative benefits of currently available treatments.