Hyperandrogenism and Menstrual Imbalance Are the Best Predictors of Metformin Response in PCOS Patients

January 2022 in “ Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology ”

Emanuele Garzia, Valentina Galiano, Giovanni Marfia, Stefania Elena Navone, Enzo Grossi, Anna Maria Marconi

hyperandrogenism menstrual imbalance metformin Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCOS Body Mass Index BMI free-androgen-index FAI serum testosterone insulin resistance

Studysummary This study aimed to identify reliable predictors for the effectiveness of metformin therapy in weight loss and reduction of plasma androgen levels in PCOS women, highlighting the unpredictability of response to treatment.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The study involved 108 women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) treated with 1500 mg/day of metformin. After 6 months, 52.4% of obese patients showed a Body Mass Index (BMI) reduction and 50.6% of hyperandrogenemic women showed a decrease in free-androgen-index (FAI). The response rates at 12 months were 30.6% and 47% respectively. The study concluded that menstrual pattern imbalance and ovarian androgens excess are the best predictors of metformin response. Lower serum testosterone levels at baseline were found to be the major predictor of treatment discontinuation. The study also found that metformin's effects in women with PCOS are not heavily dependent on the presence of insulin resistance. The research also noted a high dropout rate, with 12.9% of women discontinuing treatment due to side effects and 29.6% discontinuing due to perceived ineffectiveness or missed follow-ups.

View this study on rbej.biomedcentral.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

7 / 7 results

research Diagnosis and Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline

1265 citations , October 2013 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This guideline from the Endocrine Society recommends using the Rotterdam criteria for diagnosing polycystic ovary syndrome and outlines first-line treatments, emphasizing hormonal contraceptives and lifestyle intervention.

research Acne Severity and the Global Acne Grading System in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

22 citations , August 2013 in “International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics”

This study found that GAGS scores for acne were higher in younger women with PCOS and a lower BMI, but showed no association with levels of androgen hormones.

research Defining Hyperandrogenaemia According to the Free Androgen Index in Chinese Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

19 citations , March 2012 in “Clinical Endocrinology”

This study established a normative free androgen index range of 0.7-6.4 and identified a cut-off value of 6.1 for reproductive-age women in southern China, highlighting hyperandrogenic women's increased metabolic disorder risks.

Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Hirsutism: A Consensus Statement by the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society

research Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Hirsutism: A Consensus Statement by the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society

378 citations , November 2011 in “Human reproduction update”

This review discusses the epidemiology, causes, diagnosis, and management of hirsutism in women, noting that effective treatment requires addressing the root cause as well as the hair growth.

Criteria for Defining Polycystic Ovary Syndrome as a Predominantly Hyperandrogenic Syndrome: An Androgen Excess Society Guideline

research Criteria for Defining Polycystic Ovary Syndrome as a Predominantly Hyperandrogenic Syndrome: An Androgen Excess Society Guideline

1744 citations , August 2006 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This review discusses definitions of polycystic ovary syndrome and reports no new clinical results; the authors support using modified 1990 NIH criteria and acknowledge ongoing evolution as research advances.

research Revised 2003 Consensus on Diagnostic Criteria and Long-Term Health Risks Related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

4809 citations , January 2004 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This review discusses polycystic ovary syndrome, emphasizing its broad range of manifestations and associations with risks like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular events, but reports no new clinical results.

research Classification of the Types of Androgenetic Alopecia (Common Baldness) Occurring in the Female Sex

666 citations , September 1977 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This article presents a classification system for stages of female-pattern androgenetic alopecia to aid early diagnosis and mentions existing systems for rare male-pattern cases, but reports no new clinical results.