Metformin and intervention in polycystic ovary syndrome. Endocrine Society of Australia, the Australian Diabetes Society and the Australian Paediatric Endocrine Group.

Item request has been placed! ×
Item request cannot be made. ×
loading   Processing Request
Read More Add to Saved list
  • Author(s): Norman RJ;Norman RJ; Kidson WJ; Cuneo RC; Zacharin MR
  • Source:
    The Medical journal of Australia [Med J Aust] 2001 Jun 04; Vol. 174 (11), pp. 580-3.
  • Publication Type:
    Guideline; Journal Article; Practice Guideline
  • Language:
    English
  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Australasian Medical Publishing Co Country of Publication: Australia NLM ID: 0400714 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 0025-729X (Print) Linking ISSN: 0025729X NLM ISO Abbreviation: Med J Aust Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Publication: : Pyrmont, NSW : Australasian Medical Publishing Co.
      Original Publication: Sydney : Australasian Medical Pub. Co.
    • Subject Terms:
      Insulin Resistance*; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/*drug therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/*etiology ; Glucose Intolerance/*drug therapy ; Glucose Intolerance/*etiology ; Hypoglycemic Agents/*therapeutic use ; Metformin/*therapeutic use ; Microvascular Angina/*drug therapy ; Microvascular Angina/*etiology ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/*complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism ; Endocrinology/methods ; Endocrinology/standards ; Evidence-Based Medicine ; Female ; Glucose Intolerance/metabolism ; Humans ; Microvascular Angina/metabolism ; Treatment Outcome
    • Abstract:
      Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is classically characterised by ovarian dysfunction (oligomenorrhoea, anovulation and infertility), androgen excess (hirsutism and acne), obesity, and morphological abnormalities of the ovaries (cystic enlargement and stromal expansion). More recently, insulin resistance has been found to be common in PCOS, along with an increased prevalence of other features of the "metabolic syndrome", namely glucose intolerance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidaemia. Hyperinsulinaemia is likely to contribute to the disordered ovarian function and androgen excess of PCOS. Reducing insulin resistance by lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise improves endocrine and menstrual function in PCOS. These lifestyle modifications are the best initial means of improving insulin resistance. Metformin, an oral hypoglycaemic agent that increases insulin sensitivity, has been shown to reduce serum concentrations of insulin and androgens, to reduce hirsutism, and to improve ovulation rates. The effect of metformin alone on fertility rates is unknown. Some studies suggest that metformin will reduce total body weight to a small extent, but with a predominant effect on visceral adipose reduction. The effects of metformin on lipid abnormalities, hypertension or premature vascular disease are unknown, but the relative safety, moderate cost, and efficacy in reducing insulin resistance suggest that metformin may prove to be of benefit in combating these components of the "metabolic" syndrome in PCOS. Further properly planned randomised controlled trials are required.
    • Comments:
      Comment in: Med J Aust. 2001 Jun 4;174(11):554-5. (PMID: 11453323)
    • Accession Number:
      0 (Hypoglycemic Agents)
      9100L32L2N (Metformin)
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20010717 Date Completed: 20010802 Latest Revision: 20210501
    • Publication Date:
      20240627
    • Accession Number:
      10.5694/j.1326-5377.2001.tb143439.x
    • Accession Number:
      11453331