PCOS For Dummies by Gaynor Bussell

Author:Gaynor Bussell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2011-07-21T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Taking Medications

In This Chapter

Going the drug route to treat PCOS

Reducing insulin resistance

Controlling your blood glucose levels

Getting your periods on schedule

Minimizing acne and hairiness

Putting a halt to endometrial buildup

Losing weight

PCOS has the dubious distinction of being the most common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age. Despite this, there is no cure for the disorder, and most treatments are aimed at improving the symptoms. However, certain medications can definitely help treat the symptoms, and some medications attempt to treat the underlying cause of PCOS: insulin resistance. In this chapter, we look at the drugs available and talk about the pros and cons of using them.

Following the Current Medical Approach

The typical American approach to medical issues is to take a pill in the hopes that the condition will go away. Although some medications may help the symptoms of PCOS fade into the background, they won’t cure the disorder.

That doesn’t mean that the medications aren’t worth taking, though. Reducing the symptoms — particularly major symptoms like insulin resistance — can start a domino effect that improves other symptoms as well. Some of the drugs used to treat PCOS are used off-label — meaning that they were tested and approved in clinical trials for other medical uses. (See the sidebar “What does off-label mean?” for more about off-label drug use.)

Table 7-1 lists some of the common symptoms of PCOS and which drugs may be prescribed for them. The following sections go into more detail.

Table 7-1 PCOS Symptoms and Treatments

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