Clinical, metabolic and endocrine parameters in response to metformin in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

There is still some controversy concerning the effects of metformin in the treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). The aim of this study was to asses the effect of metformin on clinical, metabolic and hormone parameters in obese women with PCOS. Thirty obese, non-diabetic women with PCOS received 500 mg of metformin or placebo, TID, over 90 days. Assessed parameters included body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, blood pressure, FSH, LH, total testosterone, SHBG, fasting insulinemia, insulin-to-glucose ratio, total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and menstrual cycles before and after the use of the drugs. Before treatment, patients did not differ in the two groups. After 90 days of metformin use, PCOS women presented significantly lower levels of total testosterone (p = 0.030) and total cholesterol (p = 0.023) compared to the women that used placebo. The other parameters did not differ between the groups. In conclusion, obese women with PCOS may benefit from the use of metformin through the reduction of hyperandrogenemia, total cholesterol, and possibly by restoration of regular menstrual cycles. Further studies with longer follow-ups are necessary to determine cardiovascular and endometrial metformin benefits and insulin-resistance decrease in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.