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Polycystic ovary syndrome - Management
How should I manage women who are overweight?
- Advise the woman if she is overweight that the most effective treatment is to lose weight, and encourage her to do this.
- Explain that weight loss may reduce hyperinsulinism and hyperandrogenism and:
- Reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- Result in menstrual regularity.
- Improve the chance of pregnancy, if that is what she wants.
- Consider referral to a dietitian.
- Consider offering orlistat or sibutramine to assist with weight loss. For further information, see the CKS topic on Obesity.
- Consider bariatric surgery (gastric bypass or banding) in women who are morbidly obese (body mass index greater than 40 kg/m2).
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