ARTICLE: Metformin has no impact on PCOS belly fat, and is not a weight loss drug

[KatCarney]

BJOG. 2006 Jul

The effect of metformin on fat distribution and the metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome--a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Lord J, Thomas R, Fox B, Acharya U, Wilkin T.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, UK. jonathan.lord@pms.ac.uk

OBJECTIVE: To establish whether metformin has a significant action in reducing visceral fat and improving other metabolic parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

CONCLUSIONS: Metformin has no clinically significant effect in reducing visceral fat mass, although it does have a beneficial effect on lipids. This trial lends support to the growing evidence that metformin is not a weight loss drug. Metformin might therefore be used as an adjunct to lifestyle modification in women with PCOS, but not as a substitute for it.

DESIGN: Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

SETTING: Reproductive medicine clinic.

POPULATION: Forty women with anovulatory PCOS.

METHODS: Participants were randomised into receiving metformin 500 mg three times a day or placebo for 3 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fat distribution was measured by computed tomography scan. Secondary outcome measures included serum indices of the metabolic syndrome and evidence of ovulation.

RESULTS: We found no significant differences in any of the measures of fat distribution between the placebo and metformin groups. The metformin group had significantly lower total cholesterol (P= 0.02), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P= 0.02) and cholesterol:high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (P= 0.05), but there was no statistically significant treatment effect on androgens, insulin, insulin resistance, triglycerides, ovulation or pregnancy.

[shllss]

Very interesting......

[Jashobeam]

Metformin jump started my weightloss after a plateau, but I started gaining again on it. I'm so sick of belly weight!

[welshgirl]

"should therefore be used in adjunct to lifestyle modification in women with PCOS, but not as a substitute for it."

To me that is the most important part of the article. Met alone isn't going to cut it. But along with proper nutrition, exercise, etc. I think it can help.

Laura

[Eva37]

thanks for the article. Im like jash (by the seem of it), lost weight with the met, then put some back on. Getting it back off again.

[threeblessings]

"should therefore be used in adjunct to lifestyle modification in women with PCOS, but not as a substitute for it."

To me that is the most important part of the article. Met alone isn't going to cut it. But along with proper nutrition, exercise, etc. I think it can help.

Laura

I agree, even though I lost weight right when I started, I'm losing even more and very consistently while I'm eating right. I've exercised the whole time. I totally think it's not a cure all, but used with a life style change, it's great.

[SnowFlower]

That is interesting

[donnadonna]

That's so depressing. Why am I bothering???

[just*me]

This is very interesting....
Thanks for posting it!!

[REW]

That is very interesting. I noticed that when I started taking Met along with a low gi diet and exercise that I didn't lose any weight, but what DID happen is that my belly started to shrink - very noticeably. My testosterone levels also moved to normal levels within 6 months of Met and I got my BFP!

[TTC_Kitty]

Wow, there are good and bad here. I am about to start Met and also have the belly fat, dark hairs, pelvic pain and out of whack sugar. I am hoping this gets me started in the right direction towards a healthy lifestyle as well as give me the ability to begin my TTC journey. Doctor told me that it will be 2-4 mo before they will know if the Met works to make me ovulate. I am so impatient...I want it now.

[mg3day]

Hello everyone I am new to this forum and site but not new to PCOS. I had my hysterectomy last year and was told that I know don't have PCOS anymore but after being taken off of my met I have gained eh weight back, started to get skin tags again, and my blood sugar are all out of whack. It is taking an whole army to convince my DR. that they hyst. did not cure my PCOS and to put me back on the met. I am strict eater and exerciser and not being able to lose this weight is killing me.

[morgan1611]

I did not lose any weight when I started Metformin. However, in 3 years I have gained very little weight rather than the gradual gain I had been experiencing before starting Met.