[Clinical effects of metformin in patients with polcystic ovarian syndrome].

OBJECTIVE

To verify the medical effects of metformin in polycystic ovary syndrome patients.

METHOD: 10 women with polycystic ovary syndrome were including in this prospective clinical study. After a baseline workup, body mass index (BMI) and waist hip index (WHI) were measured; the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome was achieved with the following basal clinical studies: vaginal ultrasound, prolactin, thyroid profile, glucose, insulin, testosterone, androstenedione, 17-hidroxiprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and cortisol. The diagnosis of insulin resistance was achieved by model homeostasis assessment and the relationship glucose/insulin. Patients were given 500 mg of metformin twice a day for 3 months and reevaluated.

RESULTS

8 of 10 patients who completed treatment, showed significant improvement in insulin resistance (only by homeostasis model); there were decrease in hirsutism (mean of 35.07%), without improve menstrual cyclicity, although we achieved at least one menstruation in 42.85% in cases with amenorrhea after 2 or 3 months of treatment. There were no changes in weight, BMI neither in ovarian volume and number of follicles.

CONCLUSION

A 3 month course of metformin therapy in women with polycystic ovary syndrome did not improve menstrual cyclicity, albeit significant decrease in insulin, insulin resistance and hirsutism was obtained.