Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - Improving Outcomes

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - Targeting the Sympathetic Nervous System to Improve Outcomes

Polycystic ovary syndrome affects a striking 9-18% of Australian reproductive aged women and has been associated with a number of metabolic abnormalities.

Given the strong correlation between metabolic abnormalities and increased sympathetic activity, we hypothesise that reducing this activity using medication (moxonidine) can help improve the metabolic abnormalities, and therefore improve outcomes in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Overweight and class I obese pre-menopausal women
• Diagnosis of PCOS by Rotterdam criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any current medication
• pregnancy or the desire to become pregnant
• BMI > 35
• a history of type I diabetes, secondary hypertension not due to PCOS
• cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, liver or thyroid disease
• severe mental illness.