Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogenous endocrine disorder that affects 6-20% of reproductive-age women and has widespread effects on human health, including the leading cause of female infertility and metabolic derangement. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview on the current status of PCOS diagnosis, treatment and innovative therapeutic options. The heterogeneity of PCOS makes clinical management difficult, as patients may have a variable combination of hyperandrogenism, ovulatory disfunction and polycystic ovarian morphology. Options for treatment include lifestyle modifications and hormonal therapies, as well as surgical options that are based on patient phenotype and reproductive goals. Novel insulin sensitizers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and targeted hormonal modulators are some emerging investigational therapies that have the potential to target the multiple contributors of PCOS. This review presents the available evidence on PCOS treatment from early, round-the-clock health intervention to a late and symptomatic condition as an effort to provide clinicians with a whole view over PCOS management, revealing the importance of individualized therapeutic approach and further research for new therapeutic means.
Keywords: Polycystic ovary syndrome, PCOS, hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, reproductive endocrinology, metabolic syndrome
How to cite this article: Pandey, V. K., Roy, B. K., Kumar, M., Kesarwani, R., Kumar, A., Golder, S., & Pandey, M. (2026). PCOS across the spectrum: Current diagnostic practices, treatment modalities, and investigational therapies. International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology; 2026;16(4s): 338-345; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.4s.40