Managing Insulin Resistance in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients: A Literature Review

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. It is a complex disease with varied clinical manifestations. Multiple factors contribute to its pathogenesis insulin resistance being the common pathway; about 30–80% of PCOS patients have insulin resistance. Genetic factors contribute to the development of PCOS and insulin resistance. This review looks at the data available in literatures for insulin resistance in PCOS patients. Weight reduction by dietary intervention and increased physical activity is the primary target in obese PCOS patients. Metformin is the drug of first choice for treating insulin resistance in PCOS patients with impaired glucose tolerance if lifestyle modification fails, other important option is pioglitazone, but weight gain is a concern; new therapeutic options like incretin mimetics and SGLT2 inhibitors which seem to hold promise but need further validation in PCOS before they can be used on a widespread scale.