Zdravniški Vestnik (Mar 2009)

THE ROLE OF METFORMIN IN THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME

  • Renata Košir,
  • Helena Meden Vrtovec

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 78, no. 3

Abstract

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Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder affecting wo- men of reproductive age in 10–20 % under the American criteria and 15–22 % under the European criteria. It is presented with disorders in the menstrual cycles, hirsutism, acne, alopecia and obesity. Nowadays, metformin drug has joined the traditional and establis- hed methods of treatment that are mainly focused to prevention of the leading symptom (hirsutism or irregular periods or fertility problems). Metformin is a peroral anti-diabetic agent that increases insulin sensitivity. Insulin stimulates androgen secretion by the ovari- an stroma and appears to affect the normal development of ovarian follicles by suppres- sing apoptosis and permitting the survival of follicles otherwise destined to disappear. The long term sequelae of insulin resistance may be the development of insulin-dependent dia- betes and dyslipidemia. Conclusions The results of meta-analysis and other studies confirm that metformin prevents the pro- gress of insulin resistance, has a favourable impact on loosing weight and is effective in induction of ovulation, mainly in clomiphen resistant women.