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

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.