Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) treatment

Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the most common endocrine and gynecological disorders in women of reproductive age and may remain undiagnosed for a long time. Many patients consult a doctor only when menstrual cycle disorders, difficulties with conception, or other complaints appear.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is not simply the presence of cystic formations but a complex hormonal syndrome that affects ovarian function, metabolism, and the overall condition of the female body. Polycystic ovary syndrome is accompanied by ovulation disorders, changes in sex hormone levels, and may have long-term consequences without timely treatment and monitoring.

At the medical center «Oxford Medical», a comprehensive approach to the diagnosis and treatment of PCOS is applied, taking into account the patient’s age, reproductive plans, and concomitant disorders.

Make an appointment for a doctor’s consultation to receive individualized recommendations and determine the optimal treatment strategy.

To understand what PCOS is, it is important to consider this disorder as a systemic process. In clinical practice, the disease is also known as Stein–Leventhal syndrome. It is characterized by a combination of hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive disorders.

The development of PCOS is based on an imbalance of sex hormones, particularly an increased level of androgens. This leads to impaired normal maturation of follicles: ovulation does not occur, and immature follicles accumulate in the ovarian tissue. That is why ultrasound examination often reveals multifollicular ovaries, which are not always an independent disease but may be a component of polycystic ovary syndrome.

In PCOS, the ovaries in women increase in volume, their capsule becomes thickened, and follicles are located mainly along the periphery. Such cystic changes in the ovaries are a consequence of chronic absence of ovulation and prolonged hormonal imbalance, rather than separate cysts in the conventional sense.

Insulin resistance plays an important role in the development of the syndrome. Impaired tissue sensitivity to insulin stimulates excessive androgen production, which in turn further suppresses ovulation. Thus, a vicious circle is formed, and without treatment the disease may progress and affect not only reproductive function but also the overall health of the woman.

PCOS belongs to diseases with a multifactorial mechanism of development. In most cases, the syndrome is formed under the influence of several factors that disrupt hormonal regulation and the functioning of the reproductive system.

The main factors that increase the risk of PCOS include:

• hereditary predisposition — the presence of menstrual cycle disorders, hormonal disturbances, or polycystic ovary syndrome in close female relatives;
• endocrine disorders — dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary system, adrenal glands, or thyroid gland, which affect the synthesis of sex hormones;
• metabolic changes — insulin resistance, carbohydrate metabolism disorders, excess body weight, or obesity, which aggravate hormonal imbalance;
• chronic stress and psycho-emotional overload — prolonged exposure to stress factors can disrupt neuroendocrine regulation;
• inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs — previous or chronic inflammatory processes may negatively affect ovarian function;
• sleep and rest disorders — lack of sleep can affect hormonal balance.

The combination of several factors significantly increases the likelihood of PCOS formation and determines the individual characteristics of the disease course.

It should be taken into account that the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome do not always appear simultaneously. The disease may progress gradually, and therefore even minor changes in the menstrual cycle or other manifestations of the condition are grounds for consulting a doctor and undergoing an in-depth examination.

The issue of pregnancy planning is one of the most important for women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Despite common fears, PCOS and pregnancy are not mutually exclusive concepts; however, the presence of this syndrome may complicate conception and requires proper medical supervision.

The main reason for difficulties in achieving pregnancy in PCOS is the absence of regular ovulation. Due to hormonal imbalance, follicles do not mature into a полноценная egg cell, which reduces the likelihood of natural conception. At the same time, in many women ovulation may occur periodically, so the possibility of pregnancy depends on the individual characteristics of the disease course.

Even after pregnancy occurs, women with PCOS require more careful monitoring. The syndrome may increase the risk of early pregnancy loss, gestational diabetes, arterial hypertension, and other complications.

It is important to understand that PCOS is not a sentence for motherhood. Timely diagnosis, an individualized approach to treatment, and regular medical monitoring allow most women to realize their reproductive plans and carry a healthy pregnancy.

Prevention of polycystic ovary syndrome is aimed at reducing the risk of disease progression, the development of complications, and deterioration of hormonal and metabolic status.

The main preventive measures include:

• regular preventive examinations by a gynecologist;
• regular laboratory monitoring of hormonal profile and carbohydrate metabolism indicators as recommended by a doctor;
• body weight control and maintenance of stable physical activity;
• balanced nutrition with limitation of excessive intake of simple carbohydrates and fats;
• timely treatment of endocrine disorders, particularly thyroid diseases;
• reduction of chronic stress and normalization of sleep and rest patterns.

Adherence to these recommendations allows better control of the course of PCOS, maintenance of a stable condition of the body, and reduction of the risk of long-term complications.

Treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome is selected individually and depends on the clinical picture, the woman’s age, the presence of concomitant disorders, and reproductive plans.

Conservative treatment

Conservative therapy is the main method of treating PCOS in most patients. It is aimed at correcting hormonal imbalance, normalizing the menstrual cycle, and reducing manifestations of hyperandrogenism.

Within the conservative approach, the following may be used:

• hormonal medications to regulate the menstrual cycle;
• agents to reduce androgen levels;
• pharmacological correction of carbohydrate metabolism disorders in the presence of insulin resistance;
• symptomatic treatment of associated manifestations.

The treatment regimen is determined by the doctor individually after examination and may be adjusted depending on the dynamics of the patient’s condition.

Surgical treatment

Surgical methods of treatment are used on a limited basis, particularly in cases of ineffectiveness of conservative therapy. The purpose of surgical intervention is to restore ovulatory function rather than to radically cure the syndrome.

Modern operations are performed using minimally invasive techniques, with maximal preservation of ovarian tissue. The appropriateness of surgical treatment is determined individually by the doctor after evaluating the results of medical therapy.

Long-term follow-up and monitoring

PCOS belongs to chronic conditions, therefore treatment is not limited to a single course of therapy. Regardless of the chosen method, regular follow-up with a doctor is recommended to monitor hormonal levels, the menstrual cycle, and overall health.

Effective treatment of PCOS involves a combination of a properly selected therapy method and systematic medical monitoring, which helps reduce disease manifestations and prevent the development of complications.

The cost of treating polycystic ovary syndrome is formed individually and depends on the scope of required examinations, the chosen treatment strategy, the duration of therapy, and the need for additional medical supervision.

You can ознакомиться with current prices for private clinic services in Kyiv on our website or by contacting the contact center. The doctor can provide more precise guidance regarding treatment strategy and cost during the consultation.

You can make an appointment at a convenient time by phone or via the online chat on the website.