Treatment of clomiphene-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome with metformin and clomiphene citrate

AIM: To observe the treatment effects of metformin combined with clomiphene citrate (CC) on CC resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: The patients with CC resistant POCS were first given metformin for 2 months, then given metformin and CC for 3 cycles, during which time the patients' sexual hormone changes, ovarian follicular development, endometrial thickness and their patterns, and pregnancy rate were observed and the results were compared with those of simple CC cycles. RESULTS: There were 19 cases of CC resistant PCOS among the 87 PCOPS patients. After the treatment of metformin for 2 months the patients' LH and T levels declined and E2 level rose (P0.01). In the following 3 treatment cycles of metformin and CC, 9-14 mm of thickness and A pattern of endometrium increased, ovulation rate was 35% and pregnancy rate was 32%. These changes were very significant compared with those of simple CC cycles ( P0.01 ). CONCLUSION: Metformin combined with CC is an effective treatment for CC resistant PCOS.