Fertility treatments for polycystic ovarian syndrome

Cynthia Farquhar

Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) suffer from a hormonal imbalance that prevents ovulation from occurring. For those wishing to become pregnant, different treatments are available to help induce ovulation. Clomiphene, an oral medication, is usually the first option. However, many women with polycystic ovaries are resistant to clomiphene and ovulation does not occur.

Alternative treatments include laparoscopic ovarian diathermy (LOD) or injections of the hormone gonadotropin. During laparoscopic ovarian diathermy, an electrosurgical needle punctures holes in the ovary to destroy the ovarian tissue that produces testosterone. Hormonal balance improves and regular ovulation is often restored.

Professor Cindy Farquhar conducted a trial to compare LOD with gonadotropin therapy for women with PCOS who were resistant to clomiphene. The aim was to determine if there were any significant differences in pregnancy or miscarriage rates between the two treatments.

The results of the study revealed that LOD is a safe and effective alternative to ovulation induction with gonadotropin. Pregnancy and miscarriage rates were similar for both treatments. However, gonadotropin therapy is more expensive, and also carries the risk of ovarian hyper-stimulation and multiple births. LOD, on the other hand, is a one-off procedure that may restore regular ovulation on a more permanent basis.

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