title: Metformin therapy improves the menstrual pattern with minimal endocrine and metabolic effects in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the clinical, hormonal, and biochemical effects of 4-6 months of metformin therapy in obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Gynecological Endocrine Unit of University Central Hospital, Oulu, Finland.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty obese patients with PCOS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were treated with 0.5 g of metformin three times daily for 4-6 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical symptoms, menstrual pattern, and hirsutism, as well as serum concentrations of sex steroids, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), gonadotropins, and lipids were assessed during the treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven women (68.8% of the women with menstrual disturbances) experienced more regular cycles during therapy. No changes in hirsutism, body mass index, or blood pressure occurred. The mean testosterone level was decreased significantly after 2 months of treatment but returned to the starting level by 4-6 months. Free testosterone levels decreased significantly during the treatment. There was no significant change in the levels of other sex steroids or lipids measured at 4-6 months of treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Metformin therapy is well tolerated by the majority of patients and may be clinically useful, especially in obese patients with PCOS and menstrual disturbances.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Central Hospital of Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Morin-Papunen
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Koivunen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ruokonen
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Martikainen
mesh_terms: D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008598:Menstruation / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008687:Metformin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D008687:Metformin