List of Treatments for PCOS

Adjustable Gastric Band

Overview
Adjustable gastric band (also known as the lap-band or LABG) is a type of bariatric surgery, or surgery intended to help people lose weight. In obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), bariatric… read more

Aldactone (Spironolactone)

Overview
Aldactone is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, edema, and other conditions. Aldactone is also referred to by its drug name,… read more

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS)

Overview
Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (also known as the duodenal switch or BPD/DS) is a type of bariatric surgery, or surgery intended to help people lose weight. Duodenal switch surgery is the most… read more

Birth control pill (Progestin only)

Overview
Birth control pills are prescription drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent pregnancy. A birth control pill containing only a progestin may also be referred to as a “mini-pill.”… read more

Birth control pill (Estrogen and progestin)

Overview
Birth control pills are prescription drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent pregnancy. A birth control pill containing both an estrogen and a progestin may be referred to as a… read more

Clomid (Clomiphene)

Overview
Clomid is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat infertility related to ovulatory dysfunction. Clomid is also referred to by its drug name, Clomifene.

Clomid is a… read more

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)

Overview
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments are popular with many women who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). CAM treatments may include acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs,… read more

Cyst aspiration

Overview
Cyst aspiration is a surgical procedure intended to relieve discomfort and improve fertility in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Cyst aspiration may be considered in cases where fertility… read more

Depo-Provera (Medroxyprogesterone)

Overview
Depo-Provera is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent pregnancy. Depo-Provera may be referred to by its drug name, Medroxyprogesterone.

Depo-Provera is a… read more

Dietary Supplements

Overview
Dietary supplements are very popular among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Some women with PCOS may benefit from supplements containing certain nutrients. A few supplements claim to be specially… read more

Dilation and curettage (D&C)

Overview
Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a surgical procedure used to diagnose or treat problems including heavy or abnormal uterine bleeding, polyps, and fibroid tumors. Dilation refers to the opening of the cervix.… read more

Electrolysis

Overview
Electrolysis is a medical procedure to remove hair permanently.

What does it involve?
The goal of electrolysis is to permanently remove individual hairs from your face or body.

Choose an experienced,… read more

Endometrial Ablation

Overview
Menorrhagia, or excessive bleeding during menstruation, is a common symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Endometrial ablation is a procedure that destroys the endometrium, or lining of the uterus, to… read more

Exercise

Overview
Exercise can help everyone stay healthy and feel their best. For women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), eating a nutritious diet and staying physically active are two of the most important ways you can… read more

Femara (Letrozole)

Overview
Femara is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Femara is also referred to by its drug name, Letrozole. In women with polycystic… read more

Fortamet (Metformin)

Overview
Fortamet is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help improve blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Fortamet is considered an adjunct treatment to diet and… read more

Gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y)

Overview
Gastric bypass (also known as a Roux-en-Y) is a type of bariatric surgery, or surgery intended to help people lose weight. In obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), bariatric surgery may also… read more

Glucophage (Metformin)

Overview
Glucophage is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help improve blood glucose control in children and adults with type 2 diabetes. Glucophage is considered an adjunct… read more

Glumetza (Metformin)

Overview
Glumetza is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help improve blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Glumetza is considered an adjunct treatment to diet and… read more

Gonal-F (Follitropin alfa for injection)

Overview
Gonal-F is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat infertility related to ovulatory dysfunction. Gonal-F is also referred to by its drug name, Follitropin alfa for… read more

Hysterectomy

Overview
Hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus. Hysterectomy may or may not include oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries) and excision of the cervix. Hysterectomy and oophorectomy and are considered radical… read more

Laser hair removal

Overview
Laser hair removal is a medical procedure to reduce unwanted hair on a long-term basis.

Laser hair removal works best on those with dark hair. People with blond, red, gray, or white hair may not be good… read more

Levothroid (Levothyroxine)

Overview
Levothroid is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat hypothyroidism and pituitary thyroid stimulating hormone suppression. Levothroid is also referred to by its drug… read more

Levothyroxine

Overview
Levothyroxine is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat hypothyroidism and pituitary thyroid stimulating hormone suppression. In cases of polycystic ovary syndrome… read more

Levoxyl (Levothyroxine)

Overview
Levoxyl is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat hypothyroidism and pituitary thyroid stimulating hormone suppression. Levoxyl is also referred to by its drug name,… read more

Lupron depot (Leuprolide acetate for depot suspension)

Overview
Lupron Depot is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat women with fibroids and endometriosis. Lupron Depot may be referred to by its drug name, Leuprolide acetate for… read more

Metformin

Overview
Metformin is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help improve blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Metformin is considered an adjunct treatment to diet and… read more

Mirena IUD (Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system)

Overview
Mirena is an intrauterine device (IUD) approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent pregnancy and treat heavy menstrual bleeding in women who want an intrauterine device for birth control.… read more

Nutrition

Overview
Like everyone else, women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) feel their best when they consistently eat a healthy, balanced diet. For those with PCOS, nutrition is one of the most important ways you can… read more

Oophorectomy

Overview
Oophorectomy is surgery to remove the ovaries. Oophorectomy may be considered in cases of severe polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that has not responded to medications or more conservative surgeries such as… read more

Ovarian drilling

Overview
Ovarian drilling (also known as modified wedge resection or “whiffle ball” surgery) is a type of surgery intended to restore regular periods and improve fertility in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).… read more

Ovidrel (Choriogonadotropin alfa injection)

Overview
Ovidrel is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat infertility in women as part of an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) program. Ovidrel is also referred to by its… read more

Propecia (Finasteride)

Overview
Propecia is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat male pattern hair loss in men. Propecia is also referred to by its drug name, Finasteride. In cases of polycystic… read more

Proscar (Finasteride)

Overview
Proscar is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men. Proscar is also referred to by its drug name, Finasteride. In cases of… read more

Repronex ((Menotropins for injection))

Overview
Repronex is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat infertility related to ovulatory dysfunction in women who have previously undergone pituitary suppression. Repronex is… read more

Riomet (Metformin)

Overview
Riomet is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help improve blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Riomet is considered an adjunct treatment to diet and… read more

Saxenda (Liraglutide)

Overview
Saxenda is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to manage chronic weight problems in adults who are overweight or obese. Saxenda is considered an adjunct treatment to diet and… read more

Sleeve gastrectomy

Overview
Sleeve gastrectomy (also known as the sleeve) is a type of bariatric surgery, or surgery intended to help people lose weight. In obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), bariatric surgery may also… read more

Synthroid (Levothyroxine)

Overview
Synthroid is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat hypothyroidism and pituitary thyroid stimulating hormone suppression. Synthroid is also referred to by its drug name,… read more

Unithroid (Levothyroxine)

Overview
Unithroid is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat hypothyroidism and pituitary thyroid stimulating hormone suppression. Unithroid is also referred to by its drug name,… read more

Vaniqa (Eflornithine)

Overview
Vaniqa is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce unwanted facial hair in women. Vaniqa is also referred to by its drug name, Eflornithine.

Vaniqua is a member of a… read more

Victoza (Liraglutide)

Overview
Victoza is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat type 2 diabetes in adults. Victoza is considered an adjunct treatment to diet and exercise. Victoza is also referred to… read more