Drugs to Treat Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Definition

Ovarian polycystosis is known to most as polycystic ovary syndrome: it is an endocrine disorder characterized by cysts, of enlarged and abnormal size, located on the ovaries.

Causes

The polycystic ovary syndrome is a consequence of alterations in hormonal levels, responsible, in turn, for a failure / incomplete development of Graafian follicles: the latter, healing, leave the cysts as a final result.
Hyperandrogenism → hirsutism → anovulation → menstrual disorders

Risk factors for polycystic ovary syndrome: diabetes, congenital hyperplasia of the adrenal gland, obesity, Cushing's syndrome, tumors of the ovary and adrenal gland

Symptoms

The polycystic ovary syndrome is always characterized by: hyperandogenism, hirsutism, menstrual irregularity (oligomenorrhea), android obesity. Sometimes, the pathological condition is accompanied by: lowering of the voice, acne, alopecia, seborrhea. The most fearful complication is sterility female.

Diet and Nutrition

The information on drugs for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking drugs for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. .

Medicines

Considering that obesity is a possible risk factor for polycystic ovary, a low-calorie and balanced diet is recommended. The drugs are able to decrease the androgenic hyperproduction of the ovary (this objective is also obtained through surgery in case of failure to respond to drug treatment). Some drugs are aimed at increasing the secretion of the FSH hormone; still others block the action of estrogens at the level of membrane receptors. Let's see in more detail the possible drugs used in therapy for the treatment of ovarian polycystosis.

The following are the classes of drugs most used in the therapy against polycystic ovary syndrome, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the active ingredient and the dosage most suitable for the patient, based on the severity of the disease. the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment:

Birth control pill: administration of estrogen-progestin hormones

Ethinylestradiol / Levonorgestrel (eg Loette, Microgynon, Miranova, Egogyn): these are contraceptive pills useful for inhibiting the overproduction of gonadotropins, the main trigger for the manifestation of the polycystic ovary. These drugs are available in packs of 21-28 tablets: each tablet consists of 0.02 mg of ethinylestradiol and 0.1 mg of levonorgestrel. Pharmacological treatment involves taking one tablet a day, for 21 days, possibly at about the same time each day, followed by a free interval of one week.
Desogestrel / Ethinylestradiol (eg Gracial, Novynette, Lucille, Dueva, Securgin): these are coated tablets, 20 mcg of ethnylestradiol and 150 mcg of desogestrel. The posology and method of administration mirrors that described above.

Derivatives of progesterone: cyproterone (eg Androcur, Diane, Visofid): blocks the action of estrogens at the level of membrane receptors, improving the symptoms associated with polycystic ovary syndrome. The dosage and duration of treatment must be established by the doctor.

CLOMIPHENE (eg Clomid, Serophene): in the case of polycystic ovary, the drug increases the secretion of the FSH hormone and helps the ovum to mature and to be released. The drug is taken at a dosage of 50 mg orally, once a day for 5 days. The therapy should be started on the fifth day after the start of menstruation; in the absence of uterine bleeding, consult your doctor. Clomiphene citrate is particularly recommended for women who wish to conceive a child: the drug, in fact, promotes ovulation.

Oral antidiabetic drugs: Since diabetes is one of the possible risk factors for polycystic ovary syndrome, the use of antidiabetic drugs can be a good solution.

METFORMIN (eg. Metforal): the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome associated with hyperglycemia guarantees a significant improvement in symptoms. It is recommended to take 500-850 mg of the drug 2-3 times a day for the first two weeks of therapy; maintenance treatment must be modified by the doctor on the basis of blood glucose values. Do not exceed 3 g / day.

N.B. It should be noted that in case of obesity / overweight associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, the patient should follow a low-calorie and balanced diet, practice sports and take plenty of fluids.

Supplements

In the context of polycystic ovary syndrome, all those supplements, and those healthy eating habits, capable of increasing insulin sensitivity and normalizing glycemic levels, can represent an important dietary support, avoiding excessive peaks.

In particular, at the nutraceutical level, good results have been obtained by administering myo-inositol-based supplements to women with polycystic ovaries, assisted by alpha-lipoic acid.