Zdravniški Vestnik (Mar 2009)
THE ROLE OF METFORMIN IN THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME
Abstract
Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder affecting wo- men of reproductive age in 1020 % under the American criteria and 1522 % 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.