TAUFIK RECOMENDATIONS 4

OVULATION INDUCTION IN POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME

 JOGC, No. 242, May 2010; 32(5):495–502

 

Recommendations

1. Weight loss, exercise, and lifestyle modifications have been proven effective in restoring ovulatory cycles and achieving pregnancy in overweight women with PCOS and should be the first-line option for these women. (II-3A) Morbidly obese women should seek expert advice about pregnancy risk. (III-A)

2. Clomiphene citrate has been proven effective in ovulation induction for women with PCOS and should be considered the first-line therapy. Patients should be informed that there is an increased risk of multiple pregnancy with ovulation induction using clomiphene citrate. (I-A)

3. Metformin combined with clomiphene citrate may increase ovulation rates and pregnancy rates but does not significantly improve the live birth rate over that of clomiphene citrate alone.(I-A) Metformin may be added to clomiphene citrate in women with clomiphene resistance who are older and who have

visceral obesity. (I-A)

4. Gonadotropin should be considered second-line therapy for fertility in anovulatory women with PCOS. The treatment requires ultrasound and laboratory monitoring. High costs and the risk of multiple pregnancy and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome are drawbacks of the treatment. (II-2A)

5. Laparoscopic ovarian drilling may be considered in women with clomiphene-resistant PCOS, particularly when there are other indications for laparoscopy. (I-A) Surgical risks need to be considered in these patients. (III-A)

6. In vitro fertilization should be reserved for women with PCOS who fail gonadotropin therapy or who have other indications for IVF treatment. (II-2A)