Drug treatments and lifestyle changes in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): A narrative review of the literature

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v14i5.48947

Keywords:

Polycystic ovary syndrome, Hiperandrogenism, Lifestyle, Drug therapy.

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age. A set of hormonal imbalances, such as increased androgen production and insulin resistance, is responsible for the clinical picture of this condition, including significant dermatological manifestations. So, strategies such as diet, weight control and exercise are used in PCOS therapy, complementing drugs such as oral contraceptives, metformin and antiandrogens. The objective of this systematic review is to analyze the available pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for managing hyperandrogenism and the dermatological manifestations associated with PCOS.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Azziz, R., Carmina, E., Chen, Z., Dunaif, A., Laven, J. S., Legro, R. S. et al. (2016). Polycystic ovary syndrome. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2, 16057. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2016.57.

Barber, T. M., Hanson, P., Weickert, M. O. & Franks, S. (2019). Obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome: implications for pathogenesis and novel management strategies. Clin Med Insights Reprod Health. 13, 1179558119874042. doi:10.1177/1179558119874042.

Benesova, J., Skodova, J., Hlavacova, N. et al. (2022). Vitamin D supplementation and its impact on hormonal and metabolic parameters in women with PCOS: a randomized controlled trial. Gynecol Endocrinol. 38 (5), 394–400. doi:10.1080/09513590.2021.1976375.

Brasil. (2020). Protocolo Clínico e Diretrizes Terapêuticas: Síndrome dos Ovários Policísticos. Brasília, DF: Ministério da Saúde. https://www.gov.br/conitec/pt-br/midias/protocolos/publicacoes_ms/pcdt_sndrome-ovrios-policsticos_isbn.pdf.

Casarin, S. T. et al. (2020). Tipos de revisão de literatura: considerações das editoras do Journal of Nursing and Health. Journal of Nursing and Health. 10 (5). https://periodicos.ufpel.edu.br/index.php/enfermagem/article/view/19924.

Costello, M. F., Misso, M. L., Balen, A. et al. (2018). International evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 90 (3), 294–5. doi:10.1111/cen.14034.

De Leo, V., Musacchio, M. C., Cappelli, V., Massaro, M. G., Morgante, G. & Petraglia, F. (2016). Genetic, hormonal and metabolic aspects of PCOS: an update. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 14 (1), 38. doi:10.1186/s12958-016-0174-2.

Ganie, M. A. & Kalra, S. (2011). Polycystic ovary syndrome - A metabolic malady, the mother of all lifestyle disorders in women - Can Indian health budget tackle it in future? Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 15 (4), 239–41. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.85579.

Garg, D., Sharma, N. R., Dutta, D. & Sharma, A. (2021). Yoga as a therapeutic intervention in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 43, 101346. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101346.

Gowri, B., Malini, S. S. & Pathak, S. S. (2019). Effect of lifestyle modification on clinical, hormonal and biochemical profile in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 23 (5), 551–55. doi:10.4103/ijem.IJEM_104_19.

Goodman, N. F., Cobin, R. H., Futterweit, W., Glueck, J. S., Legro, R. S. & Carmina, E. (2015). AACE, ACE, AES. Guide To The Best Practices In The Evaluation And Treatment Of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome--Part 1. Endocr Pract. 21 (11), 1291–300. doi:10.4158/EP15748.DSC.

He, Y., Chen, X., Ji, X. et al. (2021). Effects of Myo-inositol supplementation on insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Gynecol Endocrinol. 37 (6), 512–9. doi:10.1080/09513590.2020.1859570.

Jensterle, M., Kocjan, T., Pfeifer, M., Prezelj, J., Dolzan, V. & Janez, A. (2015). Short-term treatment with low-dose liraglutide leads to significant weight loss and reduction of insulin resistance in obese women with PCOS. Eur J Endocrinol. 172 (3), 309–15. doi:10.1530/EJE-14-0705.

Johnson, N. P. (2014). Metformin use in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Ann Transl Med. 2 (6), 56. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2014.05.01.

Kaya, C., Alay, M. Guzel, A. I. et al. (2020). Effects of Coenzyme Q10 supplementation on metabolic and hormonal parameters in women with PCOS: a randomized controlled trial. Gynecol Endocrinol. 36 (1), 1–5. doi:10.1080/09513590.2019.1645455.

Kong, L., Zhang, H., Wang, L. et al. (2021). Effect of lifestyle intervention on menstrual regularity and ovulation in obese PCOS women: A meta-analysis. Obes Rev. 22 (3), e13120. doi:10.1111/obr.13120.

Lagana, A. S., Vitale, S. G., Noventa, M. et al. (2018). Pinitol supplementation for PCOS: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Gynecol Endocrinol. 34 (5), 370–7. doi:10.1080/09513590.2017.1397110.

Legro, R. S., Arslanian, S. A., Ehrmann, D. A. et al. (2013). Diagnosis and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 98 (12), 4565–92. doi:10.1210/jc.2013-2350.

Li, X., Yu, Y., Liu, Y. et al. (2021). Effect of Berberine on Insulin Resistance in Women with PCOS: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 9983837. doi:10.1155/2021/9983837.

Lim, S. S., Hutchison, S. K., Van Ryswyk, E. & Norman, R. J. (2019). Lifestyle changes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 3 (3), CD007506. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007506.pub4.

Mancini, A., Raimondo, S., Persano, M., Di Segni, C., Silvestrini, A. & Meucci, E. (2020). Oxidative stress and supplementation with coenzyme Q10 and melatonin in PCOS women: a pilot study. Gynecol Endocrinol. 36 (6), 511–5. doi:10.1080/09513590.2020.1735049.

Mattos, P. C. (2015). Tipos de revisão de literatura. Unesp, 1-9. Recuperado de https://www.fca.unesp.br/Home/Biblioteca/tipos-de-evisao-de-literatura.pdf.

Melo, A. S., Ferriani, R. A. & Navarro, P. A. (2015). Treatment of infertility in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: approach to clinical practice. Clin Med Insights Reprod Health. 9, 1–9. doi:10.4137/CMRH.S20362.

Moran, L. J., Ko, H., Misso, M., Marsh, K., Noakes, M., Talbot, M. et al. (2013). Dietary composition in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review to inform evidence-based guidelines. J Acad Nutr Diet. 113 (4), 520-45. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2012.11.018.

Morgante, G., Massaro, M. G., Di Sabatino, A., Cappelli, V. & De Leo, V. (2018). Therapeutic approach for metabolic disorders and infertility in women with PCOS. Gynecol Endocrinol. 34 (1), 4–9. doi:10.1080/09513590.2017.1390509.

Mu, L., Cui, J., Zhang, L. et al. (2022). Probiotics supplementation improves hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Nutr. 9, 884140. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.884140.

Pereira A. S. et al. (2018). Metodologia da pesquisa científica. [free e-book]. Editora da UAB/NTE/UFSM.

Rafiee, M., Rostami, D., Ghaffari, A. et al. (2021). Magnesium supplementation improves insulin sensitivity and glucose control in women with PCOS: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Biol Trace Elem Res. 199 (6), 2376–84. doi:10.1007/s12011-020-02318-1.

Rojas, J., Chávez, M., Olivar, L. et al. (2014). Polycystic ovary syndrome, insulin resistance, and obesity: navigating the pathophysiologic labyrinth. Int J Reprod Med. 719050. doi:10.1155/2014/719050.

Rother, E. T. (2007). Revisão sistemática x revisão narrativa. Acta Paul. Enferm. 20 (2). https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-21002007000200001.

Sam S. (2007). Obesity and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Obes Manag. 3 (2), 69–73. doi:10.1016/j.obhd.2007.03.005.

Sirmans, S. M. & Pate, K. A. (2014). Epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. Clin Epidemiol. 6, 1–13. doi:10.2147/CLEP.S37559.

Spritzer, P. M., Lecke, S. B., Satler, F. & Morsch, D. M. (2015). Adipose tissue dysfunction, adipokines, and low-grade chronic inflammation in polycystic ovary syndrome. Reproduction. 149 (5), R219–R227. doi:10.1530/REP-14-0435.

Tan, K., Coster, T., Mousa, A. et al. (2024). Laser and light-based therapies for hirsutism in PCOS: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Dermatol. 160 (7), 746–57. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2024.0623.

Teede, H. J., Misso, M. L., Costello, M. F. et al. (2018). Recommendations from the international evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. Hum Reprod. 33 (9), 1602–18. doi:10.1093/humrep/dey256.

Teede, H. J., Misso, M. L., Deeks, A. A. et al. (2011). Assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome: summary of an evidence-based guideline. Med J Aust. 195 (6), S65–S112. doi:10.5694/mja11.10915.

Toulis, K. A., Goulis, D. G., Farmakiotis, D. et al. (2009). Adiponectin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and a meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update. 15 (3), 297–307. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmn065.

Wang, Y., Zhao, X., Wang, Y. et al. (2020). Zinc supplementation improves insulin resistance and lipid profile in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 57, 126425. doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2019.126425.

Zheng, Y., Ran, Y., Ma, W. et al. (2022). Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on metabolic parameters and reproductive hormones in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 20 (1),30. doi:10.1186/s12958-022-00896-5. 10).

Published

2025-05-28

Issue

Section

Health Sciences

How to Cite

Drug treatments and lifestyle changes in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): A narrative review of the literature. Research, Society and Development, [S. l.], v. 14, n. 5, p. e10514548947, 2025. DOI: 10.33448/rsd-v14i5.48947. Disponível em: https://ojs34.rsdjournal.org/index.php/rsd/article/view/48947. Acesso em: 28 jun. 2025.