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The effect of metformin on hirsutism in polycystic ovary syndrome.

AbstractOBJECTIVE:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive disorder characterised by insulin resistance and often associated with hirsutism. Insulin sensitising agents, such as metformin, improve both the biochemical and reproductive parameters; however, no study has been designed to specifically assess the effect of metformin on hair growth.
DESIGN AND PATIENTS:
Sixteen women with PCOS and hirsutism were enrolled into a 14 month (two 6 month phases with a 2 month washout) double-blind placebo-controlled cross over study.
MEASUREMENTS:
Hirsutism was assessed using the Ferriman and Gallwey (F-G) score, patient self-assessment and growth velocity. Weight, height and waist-hip ratio were recorded. Gonadotrophins, androgens, plasma glucose and lipids were also measured.
RESULTS:
Ten women completed the full 14 month study. There was a significant improvement in hirsutism at the end of the metformin phase compared with placebo: F-G score 15.8+/-1.4 vs 17.5+/-1.2 (P=0.025) and patient self-assessment 2.4+/-0.1 vs 3.3+/-0.3 (P=0.014). Growth velocity, in millimetres per day at the end of each phase also improved (0.67+/-0.17 vs 0.77+/-0.11; P=0.03). There was a non-significant improvement in both sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and free androgen index (FAI), although there was a significant difference between baseline and metformin treatment for SHBG (P=0.023) and FAI (P=0.036). Metformin treatment also reduced weight significantly (91.5+/-7.6 vs 94.0+/-9.8 kg; P=0.009) and led to a significant improvement in cycle frequency (0.53+/-0.12 vs 0.35+/-0.08 cycles per month; P=0.008).
CONCLUSION:
We have demonstrated that metformin treatment in a group of women with PCOS results in a clinically and statistically significant improvement in hair growth compared with placebo.
AuthorsChristopher J G Kelly, Derek Gordon
JournalEuropean journal of endocrinology (Eur J Endocrinol) Vol. 147 Issue 2 Pg. 217-21 (Aug 2002) ISSN: 0804-4643 [Print] England
PMID12153743 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
Chemical References
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Placebos
  • Metformin
Topics
  • Body Constitution
  • Body Height
  • Body Weight
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Hair (growth & development)
  • Hirsutism (drug therapy, etiology)
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents (therapeutic use)
  • Menstrual Cycle
  • Metformin (therapeutic use)
  • Placebos
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (complications)
  • Reproducibility of Results

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