Use of metformin for women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects up to 15% of women of reproductive age and is characterized by hyperandrogenism, menstrual disturbance, anovulatory infertility and obesity. A large body of evidence has indicated that increased insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinaemia play a key role in the pathogenesis of PCOS. At least 40% of women with PCOS are obese and are more insulin resistant than weight-matched individuals with normal ovaries. Obesity, and particularly abdominal obesity as indicated by an increased waist:hip ratio, is correlated with reduced fecundity, menstrual disorders and hyperinsulinaemia. Metformin, an oral anti-diabetic, reduces serum insulin concentrations and improve the symptoms of PCOS. The aim of this systematic review (Tang et al., 2012) is to ascertain the effectiveness of metformin in improving reproductive outcomes in womenwith PCOS.