Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

This review is a pragmatic attempt to highlight recent research and some backround reading in PCOS. It should not be considered exhaustive, simply a way of reviewing some of the major developments and current thinking in the area.

Related Evidence Review: Hirsutism

Click here to see all the TRIP Evidence Reviews.

Evidence-Based Reports

• Review: metformin used alone or combined with clomifene may improve ovulation rates in the polycystic ovary syndrome. Evidence-Based Medicine (Requires free registration), 2005

Clinical Guidelines

• Polycystic ovary syndrome. PRODIGY, 2007
• American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists position statement on metabolic and cardiovascular consequences of polycystic ovary syndrome, 2005
• Diagnosis and management of polycystic ovarian syndrome. University of Texas, School of Nursing, 2006

Systematic Reviews

• Insulin-sensitising drugs versus the combined oral contraceptive pill for hirsutism, acne and risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and endometrial cancer in polycystic ovary syndrome. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2007
• Laparoscopic "drilling" by diathermy or laser for ovulation induction in anovulatory polycystic ovary syndrome. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2005

Recent articles in core journals

• Clomiphene, metformin, or both for infertility in the polycystic ovary syndrome. NEJM, 2007
• A 27-year-old woman with a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome. JAMA, 2007
• Thorough sonographic oocyte retrieval during in vitro fertilization produces results similar to ovarian wedge resection in patients with clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovarian syndrome. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 2006
• Effect of clomifene citrate plus metformin and clomifene citrate plus placebo on induction of ovulation in women with newly diagnosed polycystic ovary syndrome: randomised double blind clinical trial. BMJ, 2006

eTextbooks

• eMedicine
• Merck Manual
• GP Notebook

Clinical Queries

• What effect does metformin have on obesity and the cardiovascular problems seen in women with polycystic ovary syndrome? UK Medicines Information Q&A, 2005
• What effect does metformin have on hirsutism and acne in women with polycystic ovary syndrome? UK Medicines Information Q&A, 2005
• Can metformin benefit women with polycystic ovary syndrome? UK Medicines Information Q&A, 2005
• What are the effects of metformin on pregnancy rates and early pregnancy loss in women with polycystic ovary syndrome? UK Medicines Information Q&A, 2005
• For a woman with a history of Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is use of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) contraindicated? FFPRHC, 2005
• Do patients with polycystic ovary syndrome have reduced oestrogen levels and hence at risk of osteoporosis? NLH Q&A Service, 2005
• For women with migraine and polycystic ovarian syndrome can progestogen-only methods of contraception be used safely, and is there any advantage of one method over another? FFPRHC, 2006
• For women with polycystic ovary syndrome, can combined oral contraception be used safely? FFPRHC, 2006
• An increasing number of women take metformin for polycystic ovarian syndrome: how safe is it in early pregnancy? NLH Q&A Service, 2006

Patient Information

• NHS Direct Online
• Family Doctor
• BUPA Health Information
• Better Health Channel