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Date of Award

Spring 2025

Degree Name

Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)

Department

Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences

First Advisor

Lori Bodenheimeer

Abstract

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder affecting women of reproductive age, with prevalent characteristics including oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, infertility, hyperandrogenism, obesity, and polycystic ovaries. This disease can be owed to the imbalance of FSH and LH, increasing androgen production by the ovaries, and preventing follicular maturation and ovulation. A large concern for most patients when diagnosed with PCOS is infertility and their ability to conceive a child. Approaches to management for PCOS include lifestyle modifications versus different types of pharmacological management to induce ovulation, including clomiphene citrate and letrozole. Most patients today prefer holistic approaches to manage their health, and want to avoid any unnatural materials administered into their bodies. Lifestyle modification strategies, including dietary changes with calorie restriction and exercise, have been shown to be as effective as pharmacological management for treating ovulation and improving infertility. Research also shows letrozole to be a superior drug to clomiphene, as it has higher success rates with ovulation and pregnancy rates. It is vital for patients who prefer natural approaches to have autonomy over their health, and understand that holistic approaches will provide them similar results, and tend to be the preferred treatment. However, it is important to understand lifestyle management requires strict discipline with their health in order to get the desired outcomes.

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Treatment Strategies to Improve Fertility Outcomes in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder affecting women of reproductive age, with prevalent characteristics including oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, infertility, hyperandrogenism, obesity, and polycystic ovaries. This disease can be owed to the imbalance of FSH and LH, increasing androgen production by the ovaries, and preventing follicular maturation and ovulation. A large concern for most patients when diagnosed with PCOS is infertility and their ability to conceive a child. Approaches to management for PCOS include lifestyle modifications versus different types of pharmacological management to induce ovulation, including clomiphene citrate and letrozole. Most patients today prefer holistic approaches to manage their health, and want to avoid any unnatural materials administered into their bodies. Lifestyle modification strategies, including dietary changes with calorie restriction and exercise, have been shown to be as effective as pharmacological management for treating ovulation and improving infertility. Research also shows letrozole to be a superior drug to clomiphene, as it has higher success rates with ovulation and pregnancy rates. It is vital for patients who prefer natural approaches to have autonomy over their health, and understand that holistic approaches will provide them similar results, and tend to be the preferred treatment. However, it is important to understand lifestyle management requires strict discipline with their health in order to get the desired outcomes.