The Effect of Alfacalcidiol and Metformin on Phenotype Manifestations in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – A Preliminary Study

In a preliminary study of 39 obese, insulin-resistant, and vitamin D deficient women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), researchers examined the impact of alfacalcidiol, metformin, and their combination on various PCOS symptoms over 6 months. The study revealed that the combination of alfacalcidiol and metformin significantly reduced total testosterone levels, while metformin alone only caused a slight, non-significant decrease. No significant changes in other androgen levels were noted across the groups. Menstrual cycle regularity improved significantly in the metformin group (90%) and non-significantly in the other groups (78% for alfacalcidiol and 80% for the combination). There was no significant improvement in acne and hirsutism, and while the pregnancy rate was higher in the metformin group, it was not statistically significant. The study concluded that vitamin D supplementation alone did not significantly impact androgen levels or clinical hyperandrogenism in PCOS, but it could enhance the effects of metformin on testosterone levels and LH/FSH ratio. However, it did not significantly affect clinical hyperandrogenism or pregnancy rates, indicating the need for larger studies to confirm these findings.