Nonpharmacological therapy to treat PCOS
-
Hi, I am a collegegoer. My girlfriend is also studying in the same college. Recently she was suffering from periods related problem. Initially I thought it as normal menstrual cycle related sickness. She has been consulted with a physician and got to know that she is suffering from PCOS. She needs to take some medications. But the problem is that she is not at all willing to take pills. She has a lot of aversion and I am sure that she won't take them. Please suggest some nonpharmacological therapies to treat PCOS.
-
@Tanisha Lifestyle modification is critical to prevent or delay serious health consequences associated with PCOS, and it should be initiated in all overweight women with the syndrome. Diet and exercise are two of the best initial options to restore fertility and alleviate symptoms in obese women with PCOS. Clinical trials suggest that a diet low in saturated fats and high in dietary fiber with low-glycemic-index carbohydrates is preferred. A study conducted by Huber-Buchholz et al. evaluated the effect of a six-month diet and exercise program in 28 obese women with PCOS who were trying to become pregnant or restore menstrual regularity. Study results demonstrated that with a mean weight loss of 2% to 5%, women were able to reduce central fat by 11%, improve their insulin sensitivity index by 71%, reduce fasting insulin levels by 33%, and reduce LH by 39%. Of the 15 an ovulatory women enrolled in the study, nine regained regular ovulation and two became pregnant. If lifestyle modification fails to reach treatment goals, pharmacologic agents may be used.
Hirsutism is commonly managed with cosmetic hair removal procedures. Women may elect to use laser hair removal, electrolysis, bleaching, depilatory agents, waxing, or shaving. When performing a patient interview, it is important to inquire about a history of excessive, male-pattern hair growth, as hirsutism may be improved or absent due to cosmetic removal.
An additional therapeutic intervention that may be used for ovulation induction is the surgical procedure laparoscopic ovarian drilling, although its use has declined since the 1990s with the introduction of equally effective pharmacologic agents.