The role of metformin in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review is to provide a critical summary of recent studies on the clinical effects of metformin in polycystic ovary syndrome.


RESULTS
After the recognition that hyperinsulinaemia is a fundamental disturbance in polycystic ovary syndrome, a novel and promising form of therapy in the form of insulin-sensitizing drugs has been introduced. Among these, metformin is the most widely used. This therapeutic intervention has been shown to exert beneficial effects on the endocrine and metabolic disturbances that characterize the syndrome and, more recently, to improve the reproductive outcome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. With rapid progress in this area, metformin use has also been extended to the management of lean polycystic ovary syndrome patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Although most studies are nonrandomized trials, current data provide a rationale for metformin as first-line management for women with polycystic ovary syndrome, alone or in combination with conventional treatments. Controversy still exists, however, regarding the mechanisms by which metformin exerts its beneficial effects in polycystic ovary syndrome.
Tsilchorozidou
Tasoula
T
Department of Medicine, Royal Free and University College London Medical School, The Middlesex Hospital, UK.
Prelevic
Gordana M
GM
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D008687:Metformin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008687:Metformin