Reproductive health
Medicines for Polycystic ovary syndrome
A common hormonal condition causing irregular periods, signs of raised male-type hormones such as acne or excess hair, and often insulin resistance — managed mainly through weight and lifestyle support alongside medicines that regulate cycles or improve insulin handling.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Polycystic ovary syndrome?
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a common hormonal condition that typically shows up as some combination of irregular or absent periods, signs of raised male-type hormones (androgens) such as acne or excess facial and body hair, and ovaries that look "polycystic" on a scan. Not everyone has all three, and the picture varies from person to person.
- How it is treated: There is no single cure, so care is built around the symptoms that affect you most and around protecting long-term health.
- Self-care: A balanced diet and regular physical activity that support a healthy weight are central to PCOS, as even modest weight loss can make periods more regular, ease symptoms and lower the long-term risk of type 2 diabetes.
- When to seek help: See your GP if you have irregular or absent periods, troublesome acne or excess hair, or difficulty conceiving, as these can be assessed and managed.
What it is
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a common hormonal condition that typically shows up as some combination of irregular or absent periods, signs of raised male-type hormones (androgens) such as acne or excess facial and body hair, and ovaries that look "polycystic" on a scan. Not everyone has all three, and the picture varies from person to person. Behind it lies a hormonal imbalance, and many people with PCOS also have insulin resistance, where the body has to make more insulin to keep blood sugar steady; this is part of why weight tends to rise more easily and why PCOS carries a higher long-term risk of type 2 diabetes. PCOS can also affect fertility, because cycles where an egg is not released make conceiving harder, and it can have an emotional impact through its effect on periods, skin and weight. It is a long-term condition, but its features can be managed well, and the approach is tailored to which symptoms matter most to each person.
How it is treated
There is no single cure, so care is built around the symptoms that affect you most and around protecting long-term health. Weight and lifestyle support is central: even modest weight loss, where weight is raised, can help restore more regular cycles, improve symptoms and lower the future risk of type 2 diabetes. For irregular periods and the skin and hair effects of raised androgens, the combined pill is a common choice, as it regulates the cycle and reduces acne and excess hair over time. Where insulin resistance is part of the picture, metformin can improve how the body handles insulin and may help make cycles more regular. Acne and excess hair can also be addressed directly with their own treatments. Because of the raised long-term risk, weight, blood pressure and blood sugar are kept under review. When the priority is having a baby, fertility is managed with specialist input, as treatments to encourage ovulation may be needed.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Polycystic ovary syndrome
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Symptom checker
Symptoms that can point to Polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome can be one cause of these symptoms. Each guide explains the other possible causes and the red-flag warning signs that mean you should get urgent help:
Clinical formulas & tools
Calculators used in Polycystic ovary syndrome
Risk scores and formulas that inform assessment and treatment decisions in this condition:
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
A balanced diet and regular physical activity that support a healthy weight are central to PCOS, as even modest weight loss can make periods more regular, ease symptoms and lower the long-term risk of type 2 diabetes.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
See your GP if you have irregular or absent periods, troublesome acne or excess hair, or difficulty conceiving, as these can be assessed and managed. If you have PCOS, it is also worth regular checks of weight, blood pressure and blood sugar, given the higher long-term risk of type 2 diabetes.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Polycystic ovary syndrome: frequently asked questions
What medicines are used for polycystic ovary syndrome?
There is no single medicine that cures PCOS, so treatment targets the symptoms that matter most. The combined pill is commonly used to regulate periods and reduce the acne and excess hair caused by raised androgens. Metformin can improve how the body handles insulin and may help make cycles more regular, particularly where insulin resistance is present. Acne and excess hair can also be treated directly, and lifestyle support runs alongside all of these. Your clinician will tailor the plan to your symptoms and goals.
Does losing weight help PCOS?
For people who are above a healthy weight, even modest weight loss can make a real difference — periods often become more regular, symptoms ease, and the long-term risk of type 2 diabetes falls. This is why weight and lifestyle support sits at the centre of managing PCOS. It is not about quick or extreme changes but about steady, sustainable habits around eating and activity, with support from your healthcare team if you need it.
Will PCOS stop me having children?
PCOS can make conceiving harder because cycles where an egg is not released are more common, but many people with PCOS go on to have children, sometimes with help. Reaching a healthy weight can improve the chances of regular ovulation, and where extra help is needed, fertility is managed with specialist input, including treatments to encourage ovulation. If you are trying to conceive, it is worth discussing this early with your GP.
Does PCOS increase my risk of diabetes?
Yes — PCOS is linked with insulin resistance, where the body has to work harder to keep blood sugar steady, and this raises the long-term risk of type 2 diabetes. That is why weight, blood pressure and blood sugar are kept under review in people with PCOS. The good news is that lifestyle measures, and sometimes medicines such as metformin, can improve insulin handling and help lower that risk.
Keep reading
Related articles
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Polycystic ovary syndrome.
- NICE CKS: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
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