1. Surprising Benefits of Sex Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Yeast Infection Quiz
3. What's Causing Your Pelvic Pain Slideshow

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

Mary Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP

Mary Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP

Mary D. Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP is the Chair of the Department of Medicine at Michigan State University. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt Medical School, and completed her residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Indiana University.

View Full Profile

There are a number of treatments that have been shown to be effective in the treatment of PCOS. Treatment is dependent upon the stage of the woman's life and may be directed toward establishing regular menstrual cycles, controlling abnormal uterine bleeding, controlling excess hair growth, management of associated conditions such as insulin resistance, or promoting the chances of pregnancy when desired.

A number of medical conditions may be associated with PCOS, and treatment may be required that is directed at these co-existent conditions. Associated conditions that may require specific medical treatments include:

• type 2 diabetes,
  
  
• insulin resistance,
  
  
• elevated blood pressure (hypertension),
  
  
• heart disease,
  
  
• obesity, and
  
  
• elevated blood cholesterol and LDL ("bad" cholesterol) levels.

Must Read Articles Related to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Diabetes There are two types of diabetes, type 1 (insulin dependent), and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). type 1 diabetes is caused by heredity, environmental factors, o...learn more >>

Hair Loss Most people lose approximately 100 scalp hairs per day. Common causes of hair loss include female- and male-pattern baldness, alopecia areata, certain medicatio...learn more >>

High Blood Pressure High blood pressure (hypertension) may be present in an individual, without any symptoms. Thus, it is called the "silent killer." Secondary causes of high blood...learn more >>

See the Entire Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Topic Guide »