The Effect of Metformin on Different Hormones in PCOS Patients
The Effect of Metformin on Different Hormones in PCOS Patients
Forty eight PCOS patients were included . The diagnosis of PCOS was made based on the three
 criteria set by the Rotterdam Consensus meeting definition of PCOS (ESHRE, ASRM, 2004). The
 criteria were as follows:

 1. history of chronic anovulation defined as cycle length > 35 days, or less than 9 cycles
 per year or amenorrhoea (cycle length > 12wks),

 2. infertility with hirsutism or acne or elevation of one or more of serum androgen levels

 3. ultrasonographic findings of polycystic ovaries ( increased ovarian volume, more than
 eight follicles in an ovary ranging from 2-10mm).

 the studied subjects were to receive metformin 850 mg twice daily over a period of 6 months.
 Blood samples were collected at the start of the study, before receiving metformin, where
 baseline serum insulin (fasting and 2 hr postprandial), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) ,
 total and free testosterone, Dihydroepiandrostenedione sulphate (DHEAS) and Antimullerian
 Hormone (AMH) were obtained before starting metformin. Blood samples were collected at 3 and
 6 months respectively of metformin treatment , to asses its effect on serum levels of the
 previously mentioned hormonal parameters.
Forty eight PCOS patients attending the OBGYN clinic at kasr al aini were included in the
 study. The diagnosis of PCOS was made based on the three criteria set by the Rotterdam
 Consensus meeting definition of PCOS (ESHRE, ASRM, 2004). The criteria were as follows:

 1. history of chronic anovulation defined as cycle length > 35 days, or less than 9 cycles
 per year or amenorrhoea (cycle length > 12wks),

 2. infertility with hirsutism or acne or elevation of one or more of serum androgen levels

 3. ultrasonographic findings of polycystic ovaries ( increased ovarian volume, more than
 eight follicles in an ovary ranging from 2-10mm).

 the studied subjects were to receive metformin 850 mg twice daily over a period of 6 months.
 Blood samples were collected at the start of the study, before receiving metformin, where
 baseline serum insulin (fasting and 2 hr postprandial), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) ,
 total and free testosterone, Dihydroepiandrostenedione sulphate (DHEAS) and Antimullerian
 Hormone (AMH) were obtained before starting metformin. Blood samples were collected at 3 and
 6 months respectively of metformin treatment , to asses its effect on serum levels of the
 previously mentioned hormonal parameters.

 The effect of metformin on PCOS patients regarding its clinical and radiological parameters
 was also assessed. Each patient was asked to keep a diary of her menstrual periods over the
 study period; to elicit if there could be an effect by metformin on the regulation of
 menstrual cycles secondary to improvement of ovarian function as a result of improving
 insulin resistance in such patients. The effect of metformin on ovarian morphology by
 ultrasound was also assessed at baseline, 3months and 6 months of the study period; ovarian
 volume and number of follicles was noted down at each visit.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Non pregnant PCOS patients .

 -  The diagnosis of PCOS was made based on the three criteria set by the Rotterdam
 Consensus meeting definition of PCOS (ESHRE, ASRM, 2004). The criteria were as
 follows:

 1. history of chronic anovulation defined as cycle length > 35 days, or less than 9
 cycles per year or amenorrhoea (cycle length > 12wks),

 2. infertility with hirsutism or acne or elevation of one or more of serum androgen
 levels

 3. ultrasonographic findings of polycystic ovaries ( increased ovarian volume, more
 than eight follicles in an ovary ranging from 2-10mm).

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  those with prior history of glucose intolerance,

 -  history of gestational diabetes,

 -  NIDDM patients,

 -  cushing's syndrome,

 -  thyroid dysfunction,

 -  hyperprolactinemia,

 -  congenital adrenal hyperplasia

 -  patients on prolonged corticosteroid course, or other medications that alter the
 hormonal or metabolic profile; including PCOS patients who were on OCPs or cyclic
 progestagens