Polycystic ovarian syndrome explained

Irregular or infrequent periods
Periods are essential for health: not only are they a good indicator of general health but the monthly shedding of the womb lining protects against uterine cancer. If irregular and/or infrequent menstruation is a problem, the combined oral contraceptive pill oestrogen and progestogen will probably be prescribed. A course of progestogen may be prescribed several times a year for women who are amenorrheic (having no periods) to induce periods. It is thought that having around six menstrual periods a year is enough to protect against uterine cancer.

Infertility
Infertility can be a consequence of PCOS. Many women with this condition are obese and the first line of treatment will be losing weight. Losing five per cent of your body weight may significantly increase your rate of ovulation.

The drug most used to increase fertility is an ovulation-stimulating drug called clomiphene citrate, known also as Clomid. Taken early in the menstrual cycle it induces ovulation in about 80 per cent of PCOS cases. If this is unsuccessful, injectable hormones may be used, but this increases the risk of multiple births, a risk greater with PCOS. Some women will choose to undergo in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment if other methods don't work.

Newer approaches to treating PCOS include the use of insulin-sensitising drugs such as metforminulin. Studies suggest that these drugs may be useful to reduce levels of insulin in the future, especially in the regulation of periods and the treatment of infertility. At the moment, doctors are divided upon whether these drugs should be used and many are waiting for the results of further clinical trials.

Diabetes
PCOS is associated with insulin resistance and diabetes, but not all women who have PCOS are insulin-resistant or diabetic. If you have PCOS, you should also be regularly monitored for diabetes. This condition probably becomes more common in those with PCOS as they get older, affecting around one third of women, especially if they are overweight.

For more information contact: Verity, the Polycystic Ovaries Self Help Group,
52 Featherstone Street,
London EC1Y 8RT.
www.verity-pcos.org.uk.