treatment options for patients with acne vulgaris and polycystic ovary syndrome

Last edited 08/2021 and last reviewed 08/2021

Treatment options for people with polycystic ovary syndrome

For people with polycystic ovary syndrome and acne:

  • treat their acne using a first-line treatment option
  • if the chosen first-line treatment is not effective, consider adding ethinylestradiol with cyproterone acetate (co-cyprindiol) or an alternative combined oral contraceptive pill to their treatment
  • for those using co-cyprindiol, review at 6 months and discuss continuation or alternative treatment options

Consider referring people with acne and polycystic ovary syndrome with additional features of hyperandrogenism to an appropriate specialist (for example, a reproductive endocrinologist)

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