Connection with Infertility

For women in the reproductive age range, polycystic ovary syndrome is a serious, common cause of infertility, because of the endocrine abnormalities which accompany elevated insulin levels. Because anovulation usually forms part of the clinical picture, a lot of patients present with the complaint of infertility.

Clomiphene citrate (CC) is the first-line medication that is used to induce ovulation in women with PCOS. Patients with PCOS are frequently resistant to CC, resulting in numerous cycles where CC is unsuccessful. Metformin (Glucophage) may then be added – especially in cases where the patient has confirmed insulin resistance. Letrozole [FemaraR] can be used as a second-line ovulation induction agent if CC failed.