Hormonal
Oral contraceptives are the primary medical treatment for regulating menstrual cycles and treating hirsutism in PCOS, but they do not address the underlying insulin resistance and may worsen lipid profiles.
Oral contraceptives are a common and effective way to regulate periods and reduce excess hair growth in PCOS. They work by lowering active testosterone. However, they don't fix insulin resistance and might affect your cholesterol, so your doctor will check your lipids and blood pressure. They are not suitable for everyone, especially smokers over 35.
The mainstay for decades has been oral contraceptives, which are nearly always effective at normalizing menstrual cycles... By decreasing gonadotropin production and increasing sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), oral contraceptives generally decrease bioavailable testosterone levels by 40% to 60%.
Why this rating
The paper states they are 'nearly always effective' for cycle regulation and reduce testosterone by 40-60%, but notes potential detriment to insulin sensitivity.
Source
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Diagnosis and Management
M. T. Sheehan · Clinical Medicine & Research · 2004
DOI 10.3121/cmr.2.1.13
More from this paper
- Lifestyle modification and weight loss are the primary, constant interventions for managing insulin resistance and its associated long-term health risks in patients with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).Good
- Metformin therapy improves menstrual function and ovulation rates in PCOS patients, with efficacy varying based on baseline testosterone levels and severity of menstrual irregularities.Good
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