If a woman fails to ovulate, then she does not produce progesterone. However, she still makes estrogen, which causes the endometrial lining to thicken. In the absence of progesterone, the lining can get too thick to support itself, which can lead to an untimely heavy bleed. Other women with PCOS may go for 6 months without a period. The excess risk of this cancer in women with PCOS can be entirely eliminated by taking progesterone-type hormones.
Progesterone stops the endometrium from growing out of control.
The medicine can also be given in the form of a shot every 3 months. Birth control pills contain a type of progesterone and also help regulate the menstrual cycle. Women with PCOS also have a higher rate of developing diabetes later in life unless they are of normal body weight. Thus it is important to maintain the proper weight. Obese patients can sometimes correct their PCOS condition by losing weight and keeping it off.