Ultra-short metformin pretreatment for clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome.

Author(s): Hwu YM, Lin SY, Huang WY, Lin MH, Lee RK

Affiliation(s): Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, No.92, Section 2, Chung-Shan North Road, Taipei, Taiwan. hu4416@yahoo.com

Publication date & source: 2005-07, Int J Gynaecol Obstet., 90(1):39-43.

Publication type: Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of ultra-short (12 days) metformin pretreatment in clomiphene-citrate (CC) resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHOD: Eighty women with CC-resistant PCOS were randomly allocated to metformin pretreatment or usual treatment. Forty women received 1500 mg metformin daily for 12 days, followed by clomiphene 150 mg daily for 5 days along with metformin. Forty women (control group) received the same dose of clomiphene but no metformin pretreatment. RESULTS: In the metformin group, 17 (42.5%) women ovulated, and 6 (15%) conceived. In the control group, 5 (12.5%) women ovulated but none conceived. Compared with the control group, the metformin group had significantly higher ovulation (P = 0.03) and pregnancy rates (P = 0.026). CONCLUSION: Twelve days of metformin pretreatment improves ovulation and pregnancy rates in women with CC-resistant PCOS.