Use of Metformin Versus Chromium Picolinate in the Management of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

In a randomized controlled clinical trial conducted at Suez Canal University Hospitals from January to December 2016, 60 female patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) were divided into two groups to compare the effects of metformin and chromium picolinate. Group I received metformin 500 mg twice daily, while Group II received chromium picolinate 200 μg once daily for 3 months. Out of the initial 60 patients, 54 completed the study. The results showed significant improvements in both groups for various PCOS-related parameters, but no significant differences were found between the groups in terms of ovulation and pregnancy rates. However, chromium picolinate had fewer side effects compared to metformin, with abdominal discomfort being significantly more common in the metformin group (p=0.018). The study concluded that chromium picolinate was better tolerated than metformin and could potentially replace metformin in some PCOS patients due to its lower side effects.