CONTRACEPTIVE PHARMACOTHERAPY AND THE KETOGENIC DIET AS ALLIES IN THE TREATMENT OF POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS)

Abstract

Polycytic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrinopathy marked by reproductive and metabolic complications. Due to the heterogeneity of manifestations of the pathology, there is no broad agreement on its ideal treatment. However, the correlation of PCOS with metabolic disorders evokes the fact that eating habits can act in its control, not only, as currently occurs, with contraceptive pills. Thus, the objective was to correlate whether there is a therapeutic gain in the association of contraceptives with nutritional measures in the control of PCOS. A narrative literature review was carried out, based on the central themes of PCOS, ketogenic diets and hormonal treatment of the syndrome, in Google Scholar, National Library of Medicine (PubMed) and Scientific Electronic Library (SciELO). Thus, hormonal treatment, with the use of contraceptive pills, is applied on a large scale. Despite controlling hyperandrogynism, the results cease with the interruption of the drug use, in addition to not encompassing the psychological and quality of life spheres of the PCOS carrier. There is also the risk of chronic inflammation resulting from the syndrome, as it can lead to insulin resistance. In this sense, ketogenic diets, which use fat and ketosis as energy, have the ability to reduce cardiovascular damage and androgen production. Finally, emphasizing that the investigation of the diet of women with PCOS is necessary, since it is a metabolic syndrome. In addition, health agencies should work together with multidisciplinary health teams, stimulating a broad understanding of PCOS and raising awareness to affected women about the need for treatment.