Pharmacological Therapies For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Alternative To Hormone Therapies

An Integrative Review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18316/sdh.v12i3.11029

Keywords:

Polycystic ovary syndrome, Drug therapy, Efficacy

Abstract

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent endocrine pathology in women of reproductive age and its pathophysiology is associated with insulin resistance, increased risk for cardiovascular disease, obesity, depression and infertility. Objective: To explain current and relevant information available in the literature on drugs used in the treatment of PCOS and alternatives to the use of hormonal contraceptives, regarding their effects, efficacy and safety. Materials and methods: This is an integrative literature review based on the search for articles published between 2017 and 2022 in the electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE and SCIELO. The selection criteria and analysis process were guided by the PRISMA 2020 flowchart. Results: 10 randomized clinical trials were selected, citing 13 drugs from different pharmacological classes. The drugs mentioned were: metformin, empagliflozin, dapagliflozin, canagliflozin, liraglutide, exenatide, saxagliptin, pioglitazone, clomiphene hydrochloride, amlodipine, fezolinetant, phentermine and topiramate. Conclusion: Most of the drugs presented in this review demonstrated similar effectiveness and many times superior to the drug commonly used in PCOS, metformin. They also demonstrated broader therapeutic effects than oral hormonal contraceptives. In general, they were well tolerated and had mild or moderate adverse effects.

References

Teede HJ, Misso ML, Costello MF, Dokras A, Laven J, Moran L, et al. Recommendations from the international evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. Human Reproduction. 2018 Jul 19;33(9):1602–18.DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dey256.

Escobar-Morreale HF. Polycystic ovary syndrome: definition, aetiology, diagnosis and treatment. Nature Reviews Endocrinology. 2018 Mar 23;14(5):270–84. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2018.24.

Meier RK. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Nursing Clinics of North America. 2018 Sep;53(3):407–20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2018.04.008.

Greenwood EA, Pasch LA, Cedars MI, Legro RS, Eisenberg E, Huddleston HG. Insulin Resistance is Associated with Depression Risk in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Fertility and sterility [Internet]. 2018 Jul 1 [cited 2020 Jun 5];110(1):27–34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.03.009.

Polak K, Czyzyk A, Simoncini T, Meczekalski B. New markers of insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome. Journal of Endocrinological Investigation. 2016 Jul 29;40(1):1–8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-016-0523-8.

Moghetti P. Insulin Resistance and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2016 Nov 11;22(36):5526–34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2174/1381612822666160720155855.

Pani A, Gironi I, Di Vieste G, Mion E, Bertuzzi F, Pintaudi B. From Prediabetes to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Lifestyle and Pharmacological Management. International Journal of Endocrinology. 2020 Jun 8;2020:1–10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/6276187.

Osibogun O, Ogunmoroti O, Michos ED. Polycystic ovary syndrome and cardiometabolic risk: Opportunities for cardiovascular disease prevention. Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine. 2020 Oct;30(7):399–404. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcm.2019.08.010.

Dokras A, Stener-Victorin E, Yildiz BO, Li R, Ottey S, Shah D, et al. Androgen Excess- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society: position statement on depression, anxiety, quality of life, and eating disorders in polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertility and Sterility. 2018 May;109(5):888–99. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.01.038.

Chen X, Kong L, Piltonen TT, Gissler M, Lavebratt C. Association of polycystic ovary syndrome or anovulatory infertility with offspring psychiatric and mild neurodevelopmental disorders: a Finnish population-based cohort study. Human Reproduction. 2020 Aug 31;35(10):2336–47. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deaa192.

Marcondes JAM, Barcellos CRG, Rocha MP. Dificuldades e armadilhas no diagnóstico da síndrome dos ovários policísticos. Arquivos Brasileiros de Endocrinologia & Metabologia [Internet]. 2011 Feb 1;55:6–15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0004-27302011000100002.

Lim SS, Kakoly NS, Tan JWJ, Fitzgerald G, Bahri Khomami M, Joham AE, et al. Metabolic syndrome in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression. Obesity Reviews. 2018 Oct 19;20(2):339–52. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12762.

Banaszewska B, Wrotyńska-Barczyńska J, Spaczynski RZ, Pawelczyk L, Duleba AJ. Effects of Resveratrol on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2016 Nov;101(11):4322–8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2016-1858.

Jin P, Xie Y. Treatment strategies for women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Gynecological endocrinology: the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology [Internet]. 2018;34(4):272–7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590.2017.1395841.

Hari Kumar KVS, Kumar Y, Kotwal N, Singh Y, Upreti V, Somani S. A randomized, controlled trial comparing the metformin, oral contraceptive pills and their combination in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. 2018;7(3):551. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_83_17.

Souza MT de, Silva MD da, Carvalho R de. Revisão integrativa: o que é e como fazer. Einstein (São Paulo) [Internet]. 2010 Mar;8(1):102–6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/s1679-45082010rw1134.

Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. Systematic Reviews. 2021 Mar 29;10(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-021-01626-4.

Brasil. Resolução no 466, de 12 de dezembro de 2012. Dispõe sobre diretrizes e normas regulamentadoras de pesquisas envolvendo seres humanos. Diário Oficial [da] República Federativa do Brasil. [Internet]. Jun 13, 2013. Disponível em: http://bit.ly/1mTMIS3.

Elkind-Hirsch KE, Paterson MS, Seidemann EL, Gutowski HC. Short-term therapy with combination dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor saxagliptin/metformin extended release (XR) is superior to saxagliptin or metformin XR monotherapy in prediabetic women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a single-blind, randomized, pilot study. Fertility and Sterility. 2017 Jan;107(1):253-260.e1. DOI: https://doi-org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.09.023.

Frøssing S, Nylander M, Chabanova E, Frystyk J, Holst JJ, Kistorp C, et al. Effect of liraglutide on ectopic fat in polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized clinical trial. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. 2017 Aug 11;20(1):215–8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.13053.

Javed Z, Papageorgiou M, Deshmukh H, Rigby AS, Qamar U, Abbas J, et al. Effects of empagliflozin on metabolic parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized controlled study. Clinical Endocrinology. 2019 Apr 2;90(6):805–13. DOI: https://doi-org/10.1111/cen.13968.

Zheng S, Liu E, Zhang Y, Long T, Liu X, Gong Y, et al. Circulating zinc-α2-glycoprotein is reduced in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, but can be increased by exenatide or metformin treatment. Endocrine Journal. 2019;66(6):555–62. DOI: https://doi-org/10.1507/endocrj.EJ18-0153.

Guo Q, Shan J, Xu Y, Hu Y, Huo C, Song J, et al. Pioglitazone Metformin Complex Improves Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Comorbid Psychological Distress via Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation: A Prospective Clinical Study. Mediators of Inflammation. 2020 Apr 28;2020:1–7. DOI: https://doi-org/10.1155/2020/3050487.

Elkind-Hirsch KE, Chappell N, Seidemann E, Storment J, Bellanger D. Exenatide, Dapagliflozin, or Phentermine/Topiramate Differentially Affect Metabolic Profiles in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism [Internet]. 2021 Jun 7 [cited 2023 Mar 5];106(10):3019–33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgab408.

Tao T, Zhang Y, Zhu YC, Fu JR, Wang YY, Cai J, et al. Exenatide, Metformin, or Both for Prediabetes in PCOS: A Randomized, Open-label, Parallel-group Controlled Study. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism [Internet]. 2021 Mar 8 [cited 2022 Oct 14];106(3):e1420–32. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgaa692.

Fraser GL, Obermayer-Pietsch B, Laven J, Griesinger G, Pintiaux A, Timmerman D, et al. Randomized Controlled Trial of Neurokinin 3 Receptor Antagonist Fezolinetant for Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2021 May 17;106(9):e3519–32. https://doi-org/10.1210/clinem/dgab320.

Cai M, Shao X, Xing F, Zhang YQ, Gao X, Zeng Q, et al. Efficacy of canagliflozin versus metformin in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized, open‐label, noninferiority trial. 2021 Nov 25;24(2):312–20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.14583.

Naderpoor N, Shorakae S, de Courten B, Misso ML, Moran LJ, Teede HJ. Metformin and lifestyle modification in polycystic ovary syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis. Human Reproduction Update. 2015 Jun 9;21(5):560–74. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmv025.

Rosa-e-Silva AC. Conceito, epidemiologia e fisiopatologia aplicada à prática clínica. In: Síndrome dos ovários policísticos. São Paulo: Federação Brasileira das Associações de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia (Febrasgo); 2018. Cap. 1. p. 1-15. (Série Orientações e Recomendações Febrasgo, nº 4, Comissão Nacional de Ginecologia Endócrina). Disponível em: https://www.febrasgo.org.br/media/k2/attachments/Vol.Z47ZnZ9Z-Z2019.pdf.

Legro RS, Brzyski RG, Diamond MP, Coutifaris C, Schlaff WD, Casson P, et al. Letrozole versus Clomiphene for Infertility in the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. New England Journal of Medicine. 2014 Jul 10;371(2):119–29. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1313517.

Morley LC, Tang T, Yasmin E, Norman RJ, Balen AH. Insulin-sensitising drugs (metformin, rosiglitazone, pioglitazone, D-chiro-inositol) for women with polycystic ovary syndrome, oligo amenorrhoea and subfertility. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2017 Nov 28. DOI: https://doi-org/10.1002/14651858.CD003053.pub6.

Esteban-Jiménez O, Navarro-Pemán C, Urieta-González L. Seguridad de los iSGLT-2. Revisión de las reacciones adversas notificadas a nivel nacional. Medicina de Familia SEMERGEN. 2018 Jan;44(1):23–9. DOI: https://doi-org/10.1016/j.semerg.2017.10.003.

Amiri M, Ramezani Tehrani F, Nahidi F, Kabir A, Azizi F, Carmina E. Effects of oral contraceptives on metabolic profile in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A meta-analysis comparing products containing cyproterone acetate with third generation progestins. Metabolism. 2017 Aug;73:22–35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metabol.2017.05.001.

Amiri M, Kabir A, Nahidi F, Shekofteh M, Ramezani Tehrani F. Effects of combined oral contraceptives on the clinical and biochemical parameters of hyperandrogenism in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care. 2018 Jan 2;23(1):64–77. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13625187.2018.1435779.

Nordio M, Basciani S, Camajani E. The 40:1 myo-inositol/D-chiro-inositol plasma ratio is able to restore ovulation in PCOS patients: comparison with other ratios. European review for medical and pharmacological sciences [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2019 Jul 27];23(12):5512–21. DOI: https://doi-org/10.26355/eurrev_201906_18223.

Shokrpour M, Foroozanfard F, Afshar Ebrahimi F, Vahedpoor Z, Aghadavod E, Ghaderi A, et al. Comparison of myo-inositol and metformin on glycemic control, lipid profiles, and gene expression related to insulin and lipid metabolism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Gynecological Endocrinology. 2019 Jan 4;35(5):406–11. DOI: https://doi-org/10.1080/09513590.2018.1540570.

Published

2025-04-22

Issue

Section

Artigos de Revisão