Ovarian Drilling

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome who are hoping to conceive have reasons for both hope as well as concern.If you have not conceived after three months of a particular therapy, it is time to meet with your physician to review your case and determine whether other therapies may be more appropriate.

One alternative that appears effective is ovarian drilling. For women who have a specific indication for diagnostic laparoscopy, this procedure should be considered, in which a laser fibre or electrosurgical needle punctures are used. We prefer to use a monopolar needle placed into each ovary six to eight times. An electrical current is placed through the needle and ultimately destroys some of the male hormone (androgen) producing tissue in the central portion of the ovary. It is thought that excess androgen production interferes with normal follicle development. Those who demonstrate a normalization of male hormone levels after this procedure have the greatest benefit. It successfully restores ovulation in up to 80% of women.