title: The effect of a combination therapy with myo-inositol and a combined oral contraceptive pill versus a combined oral contraceptive pill alone on metabolic, endocrine, and clinical parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Compare the effects of a combined contraceptive pill (OCP) in combination with myo-inositol (MI) on endocrine, metabolic, and clinical parameters in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred fifty-five patients with PCOS were enrolled in this prospective, open-label clinical study. Patients were assigned to receive oral treatment with OCP alone (estradiol (EE) 30 μg/gestodene 75 μg) or in combination with myo-inositol 4 g/die, for 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  OCP plus MI therapy resulted in a higher reduction of FG score compared with OCP alone therapy. The combined therapy (OCP plus MI) significantly decreased hyperinsulinaemia, by positively affecting the fasting insulin and glucose levels and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance parameters, while no significant changes were observed in the OCP group. Androgens serum levels decreased in both groups, but significantly more in the combined therapy group. The lipid profile was improved in the combined therapy group, by reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and enhancing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data show that a combination of combined contraceptive pill and MI may be more effective in controlling endocrine, metabolic, and clinical profile in patients with PCOS than OCP alone, and may reduce insulin levels and insulin resistance. Hence, combined treatment may become a more effective long-term therapeutic choice for controlling PCOS symptoms.
authors.affiliation: University La Sapienza, Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Minozzi
authors.forename: Demetrio
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Costantino
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guaraldi
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Unfer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007294:Inositol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D014280:Triglycerides; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D007294:Inositol; D002784:Cholesterol