Recent developments in drug treatment strategies for infertility in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2024 Nov;25(16):2191-2202. doi: 10.1080/14656566.2024.2418985. Epub 2024 Oct 20.

Abstract

Introduction: Infertility related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) represents a significant challenge for women of reproductive age. Over the last few years, evidence-based medicine has driven new approaches for treating infertility in patients with PCOS, changing rapidly and deeply the clinical practice.

Areas covered: The authors provide an in-depth examination of recent developments in drug treatment strategies that have impacted the clinical practice and changed the previous approach to infertility in patients with PCOS.

Expert opinion: The authors identify four primary areas of interest that have impacted clinical practice in the last few years. Specifically, they discuss the current role of metformin administration in women with PCOS and infertility, the choice for using clomiphene citrate or letrozole as first-line treatment for ovulation induction, the use of new gonadotropin formulations for in vitro fertilization (IVF) program, and the elective embryo transfer in IVF cycles as golden standard treatment for patients with PCOS at high-risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Keywords: IVF; Infertility; PCOS; management; ovulation induction; treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Clomiphene* / therapeutic use
  • Embryo Transfer
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Female
  • Fertility Agents, Female* / therapeutic use
  • Fertilization in Vitro* / methods
  • Gonadotropins / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Female* / drug therapy
  • Infertility, Female* / etiology
  • Letrozole* / therapeutic use
  • Metformin* / therapeutic use
  • Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Ovulation Induction* / methods
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* / complications
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Letrozole
  • Metformin
  • Fertility Agents, Female
  • Clomiphene
  • Gonadotropins