Metformin therapy in girls with polycystic ovary syndrome: a self-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome is not uncommon in women of reproductive age. We conducted this study to determine the clinical, hormonal, and biochemical effects of metformin therapy on girls with polycystic ovary syndrome. METHODS In a self-controlled clinical trial conducted at the Gynecology Center of Yahyanejad Hospital, affiliated to Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, North of Iran, 36 girls with polycystic ovary syndrome were studied. The patients were treated with 500 mg of metformin three times a day for six months. Clinical symptoms, menstrual pattern, and hirsutism, as well as serum concentration of sex steroid (follicular stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, dihydroepiandrosterone, testosterone, 17-OH progesterone, estradiol), and lipids (triglyceride, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein) were assessed pre- and posttreatment. RESULTS Sixteen girls (53% of those with menstrual disturbances) experienced more regular cycles during the treatment. A significant decrease in weight (P = 0.004) and body mass index (P = 0.006) was noticed after six months of treatment. The number of patients with hirsutism was also decreased. The mean levels of triglyceride (P = 0.03) and low-density lipoprotein (P = 0.0.01) were decreased while high density lipoprotein (P = 0.003) was increased significantly. We also found a significant decrease in luteinizing hormone (P = 0.006), estradiol (P = 0.005), and dihydroepi-androsterone (P = 0.026) after treatment. Changes in the follicular stimulating hormone and 17-OH progesterone levels were not significant. CONCLUSION Metformin therapy has many useful effects in these patients.