KatCarney

Nat Clin Pract Endocrinol Metab. 2008 May;4

Drug insight: insulin-sensitizing drugs in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome--a reappraisal.

Dunaif A; Medscape.

Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E Chicago Avenue, Tarry 15-709, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. a-dunaif@northwestern.edu

The recognition that insulin resistance has a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) revolutionized our understanding of this complex disorder. PCOS causes major metabolic and reproductive morbidities, including substantially increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus and the metabolic syndrome.

Insulin-sensitizing drugs (ISDs) ameliorate reproductive abnormalities, restore ovulation and regular menses, increase pregnancy rates and reduce androgenic symptoms in affected women with PCOS.

Accordingly, ISDs, specifically metformin, have been widely adopted as therapy for this condition. A recent, large, randomized, multicenter, clinical trial that assessed live-birth rates rather than surrogate end points suggested that metformin alone is inferior to clomiphene citrate in treating infertility associated with PCOS.

There is, furthermore, no evidence to support the use of metformin during pregnancy to prevent spontaneous abortions or gestational diabetes mellitus in women with PCOS. Renewed safety concerns about thiazolidinediones followed recent studies that reported increased cardiovascular morbidity with these agents. These concerns might preclude thiazolidinedione use in otherwise healthy women with PCOS.

Finally, although ISDs improve insulin action and cardiovascular disease risk, there is no evidence that they provide long-term health benefits in PCOS.

This article discusses the role of ISDs in PCOS in light of these new data

__________________

witchy1

So basically it is saying that met will help w/IR, but not have an effect on any other pcos "problems" or pcos itself? That is actually what my Re told me when she prescribed the met.

__________________


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.




To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

PurpleTwilite824

Well this does make sense. It isn't going to *heal* our PCOS triggers, it just controls the insulin resistence because of it thus not making it *worse* while on it.
Obviously something has gone wonky with our systems to cause the PCOS to start up and since no one knows what that is, there is no cure. Metformin is not a CURE for PCOS, it is a treatment option.

Thanks for the ariticle, it's interesting and a great reminder to us all, that although the Metformin helps many, it is just a treatment but there is no cure... yet, anyway.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


Metformin 1500 mg
Cinnamon 1 tsp a day
Provera cycle days 20-30
Diagnosed PCOS with IR

Cali Mom

I never really thought of taking metformin as a treatment for PCOS anyway. When my doc first prescribed it to me he let me know that it was for the IR.

kristin2134

Interesting article. I was under the impression that met helps with fertility by treating the insulin resistance which in turn helps ovulation and helps to regulate your periods. Is this true? My doctor wanted me to try the met for 3 months and see if it regulates my periods, and if not start Femara. Is this just wasting time?

KatCarney

Metformin IS considered a treatment for PCOS. Many women with PCOS have IR as a symptom.

__________________