Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

2007-05-01T11:22:00.000+01:00

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

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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

eTextbooks

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

TRIP Evidence Reviews: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)