11/29/2025
WHO RELEASES FIRST-EVER GLOBAL INFERTILITY GUIDELINE, INCLUDING PCOS RECOMMENDATIONS
The World Health Organization has introduced a landmark infertility guideline, now including updated recommendations for PCOS.
It was an honor for Sasha Ottey, Executive Director of PCOS Challenge, to serve on the WHO External Review Group for this guideline. This involvement is part of PCOS Challenge’s ongoing efforts to strengthen PCOS-related guidance and practice in ways that close gaps, elevate standards, and ensure patient-centered perspectives are integrated into care.
KEY PCOS-RELATED RECOMMENDATIONS
◼️ As part of PCOS care, it is good practice to offer support with lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet, regular physical activity and/or weight management.
◼️ Letrozole (Femara) as the first medication, rather than clomiphene citrate (Clomid) or metformin.
◼️ Use clomid and metformin together, instead of using clomiphene citrate alone or metformin alone in countries where letrozole is not used for this purpose.
◼️ If oral medicines are unsuccessful, use injectable gonadotrophins rather than laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD).
◼️ If these treatments still do not lead to pregnancy, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is recommended instead of continuing to wait without treatment changes.
VIEW GUIDELINE RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY
https://pcos.ch/who-infertility-guideline-summary
VIEW FULL GUIDELINE
https://pcos.ch/who-infertility-guideline
We recognize that some recommendations may not be fully feasible or affordable in all settings, and PCOS Challenge is committed to advancing solutions that balance evidence, access, and affordability. Looking ahead, we will continue working to ensure that future guidelines more fully reflect these principles.
SHARE YOUR COMMENTS
Let us know your thoughts on the guideline and how it may affect your approach to PCOS and infertility treatment. Together, we can advance patient-centered approaches and improve outcomes for individuals with PCOS and infertility.
