ROLE OF METFORMIN IN CORRECTING HYPERINSULINEMIA, MENSTRUAL IRREGULARITY AND ANOVULATION IN POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME

Authors

  • Shamsa Zafar

Abstract

Background: Previous studies suggest that metformin by reducing hyperinsulinemia is clinicallyuseful in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Our Objective was to observe therole of metformin in correcting oligomenorrhea/amenorrhea and anovulation within six month inhyperinsulinemic women with PCOS. Another aim was to assess the decrease in hyperinsulinemiaand body weight by metformin in our population. Methods: This study was carried out at theDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Islamic International Medical Complex (IIMC)Islamabad, from October 2001 to March 2003. Fifty women fulfilling the clinical and biochemicalcriteria for PCOS and hyperinsulinemia were enrolled. Metformin was started at an oral dose of500mg/day and maintained at 1500mg for 6 months. Besides ultrasonography and body weight,serum FSH, LH, fasting insulin, fasting blood sugar and creatinine levels were performed. Aftersix months menstrual cyclicity, fasting insulin levels, day 21 serum progesterone and bodyweights were assessed. Results: After six months of Metformin therapy, menstrual regularity wasachieved in 19 out of 22 women (86%). Out of these 11 women (50%) were ovulating at sixmonths. On Metformin, the median fasting serum insulin decreased from 23.6 micro U/ml to 20.2micro U/ml (P<0.05).There was no significant weight reduction (p=0.096) with Metformin in sixmonths. Data was analyzed using SPSS by paired t-test.Key words; Metformin, PCOS, menstrual irregularity

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