Therapeutic Effects of Metformin on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Objective: To assess the therapeutic effects of metformin on insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS). Methods: Forty-five patients with PCOS were treated with oral administration of 500 mg metformin once and three times a day for 12 weeks.The following aspects were compared before and after the treatment: body weight index,insulin,insulin resistance index(HOMA IR), blood glucose, blood lipid, sex hormone concentration and ovulation rate.Results: After the metformin treatment, fasting insulin(FINS) level decreased from(18.50±6.50) mIU/L to (13.95±4.73) mIU/L(P0.01), the area under insulin curve decreased from(128.45±14.23) to (80.50±4.61)(P0.01),HOMA IR decreased from(4.08±1.16) to (2.73±0.85)(P0.01), the testosterone level deceased from (2.82±1.02)nmol/L to (2.21±0.75)nmol/L(P0.01),free testosterone index decreased from ( 8.45±1.85) to (5.48±1.06)(P0.01),sex hormone conjugating globulin level increased from (31.87±13.66)nmol/L to (39.24±14.24)nmol/L(P0.01). 27 cases with metformin treatment alone had restored menstrual cycle, ovulationary rate was 60%, 4 cases became pregnant. Conclusion: Metformin may ameliorate hyperandrogenism and resume ovulation by decreasing insulin level.