Cedars-Sinai investigators analyzed data from a clinical trial comparing two infertility treatments in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)—a hormonal disorder that can lead to infertility, miscarriage and premature birth. Their findings, published in Obstetrics & Gynecology, show that women with PCOS and high levels of androgen hormones have lower pregnancy and live birth rates as compared with women with PCOS without high levels of androgens. Miscarriage rates were not different between the two groups of women.

“Polycystic ovary syndrome is not just one disease entity, but a disease spectrum—and one that affects an estimated 10% of women of childbearing age,” said Jessica Chan, MD, associate professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cedars-Sinai and first author of the study. “As it may take longer to conceive with the type of PCOS that includes high levels of androgens, these patients may be advised to start trying to conceive sooner or to seek fertility care more expeditiously.”

Although more research is needed to understand the different forms the disease can take, investigators hope these findings will help clinicians guide women with different types of PCOS regarding pregnancy and live birth expectations.

Additional Cedars-Sinai authors include Margareta Pisarska, MD. Other authors include Richard S. Legro, MD, Esther Eisenberg, MD, and Nanette Santoro, MD.

Funding was provided by the CREST grant R25 HD075737SRI/Bayer Innovation Grant. 

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