Use of metformin in polycystic ovary syndrome

Ruchi Mathur, Carolyn J. Alexander, Jacqueline Yano, Bradley Trivax, Ricardo Azziz

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

114 Scopus citations

Abstract

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a myriad of phenotypic and clinical features that may guide therapeutic options for metabolic protection and ovulation induction. The use of metformin may prove beneficial in a subset of the population of women with PCOS. Hyperinsulinemia, as demonstrated by elevated insulin levels on a 2-hour 75-g load glucose tolerance test, is an important parameter in deciding whether or not to initiate metformin therapy to women with PCOS with the hope of preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Cardiovascular risk factors including markers of subclinical inflammation, and dyslipidemia may also be improved by metformin therapy. For ovulation induction, metformin is not as effective as clomiphene citrate as first-line therapy for women with PCOS. There are no clear data to suggest that metformin reduces pregnancy loss or improves pregnancy outcome in PCOS, and it is currently recommended that metformin be discontinued with the first positive pregnancy test result, unless there are other medical indications (eg, type 2 DM). This review addresses practical management guidelines for the uses of metformin in women with PCOS.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)596-609
Number of pages14
JournalAmerican journal of obstetrics and gynecology
Volume199
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • infertility
  • insulin resistance
  • metformin
  • polycystic ovary syndrome
  • pregnancy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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