Infertility Treatment for Women With PCOS

Women with Reference polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Opens New Window do not Reference ovulate Opens New Window regularly and often have difficulty becoming pregnant. Although the medicine clomiphene (such as Clomid) is commonly used to stimulate ovulation, it doesn't work for some women who have PCOS. This is because PCOS ovulation problems are linked to an imbalance of multiple body systems. Often other treatment measures can restore balance to the body's metabolism and hormone system, making ovulation medicine unnecessary (or more effective if it is used).

• Before considering medicine to stimulate ovulation, overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome are advised to lower their Reference body mass index (BMI) Opens New Window with diet and exercise. Even a modest weight reduction may trigger ovulation in women who have PCOS.
• If weight loss does not help start ovulation, clomiphene is usually tried first, sometimes combined with a steroid.
• If clomiphene does not start ovulation, it may be combined with another medicine, such as metformin, to start ovulation. Combining the two treatments may make it more likely that clomiphene will trigger ovulation in women who have PCOS.
• Women who do not ovulate with a combination of medicines are sometimes treated with gonadotropins, which are similar to the hormones the body produces to start ovulation. During this type of treatment, a woman must have daily monitoring of egg follicle development, using blood tests and ultrasound, to prevent Reference ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome Opens New Window.
• If clomiphene does not work, your doctor may try a medicine called letrozole. Letrozole is thought to harm the fetus if it is used during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about being sure you are not pregnant before taking this drug.

Laparoscopic ovarian surgery such as ovarian drilling (partial destruction of an ovary, which can trigger ovulation) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) are sometimes used for women with PCOS who have tried weight loss and fertility medicine, but still are not ovulating.^{Reference 1} For more information, see the topic Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

© 1995-2011, Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.