role of metformin therapy in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

To determine the efficacy of metformin therapy in women with PCOS in terms of ovulation induction and pregnancy. The study was carried out in Outpatient department Gynaecology Unit-1, Nishtar Hospital, Multan from January 2007 to March 2008. A total of 285 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria [oligo/hypomenohorea, infertility, weight gain, hyperandrogenism] were enrolled. Ultrasound pelvis was obtained in all women. Presence of eight or more multiple follicles in one or both ovaries was the cut off number for positive ultrasound. Patients with other causes of infertility were excluded from the study. Metformin was adjusted to 500 mg thrice daily. Six months later patients were evaluated for response to metformin therapy. At the start of the study, 78% women had menstrual irregularity, 54% had primary and 46% had secondary, ultrasound features were found in 94% patients, hirstism in 70% and weight gain was found in 64% of patients. After six months of metformin therapy, ovulation was observed in 66% of women while 52% of patients conceived on metformin, therapy alone. Metformin alone was an effective treatment for PCOS in terms of ovulation induction and pregnancy