HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Should patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome be treated with metformin?

Abstract
The recognition of insulin resistance as a principal factor in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) has led to the use of insulin-lowering agents, also called 'insulin-sensitizing drugs', for its treatment. The most extensively studied insulin-lowering agent in the treatment of PCOS is metformin: an oral antihyperglycaemic agent used initially in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metformin is effective in the treatment of PCOS-related anovulation and infertility. Moreover, preliminary evidence indicates that metformin may also be effective in decreasing the risk of early spontaneous miscarriage in women with PCOS. Metformin also appears to induce cardioprotective effects on serum lipids as well as plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 and may decrease the risk of development of type 2 diabetes. The highly promising therapeutic profile of metformin is related to the role of this agent in controlling an important aetiologic factor in the pathogenesis of PCOS: hyperinsulinaemia.
AuthorsEmre Seli, Antoni J Duleba
JournalHuman reproduction (Oxford, England) (Hum Reprod) Vol. 17 Issue 9 Pg. 2230-6 (Sep 2002) ISSN: 0268-1161 [Print] England
PMID12202407 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
Chemical References
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Metformin
Topics
  • Abortion, Spontaneous (prevention & control)
  • Cardiovascular Diseases (etiology)
  • Diabetes Mellitus (drug therapy)
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents (therapeutic use)
  • Menstrual Cycle
  • Metformin (therapeutic use)
  • Ovulation Induction
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (drug therapy, physiopathology)
  • Risk Factors

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: