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Ultra-short metformin pretreatment for clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome

Hwu YM, Lin SY, Huang WY, Lin MH, Lee RK

International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, 2005

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of ultra-short (12 days) metformin pretreatment in clomiphene-citrate (CC) resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHOD: Eighty women with CC-resistant PCOS were randomly allocated to metformin pretreatment or usual treatment. Forty women received 1500 mg metformin daily for 12 days, followed by clomiphene 150 mg daily for 5 days along with metformin. Forty women (control group) received the same dose of clomiphene but no metformin pretreatment.

RESULTS: In the metformin group, 17 (42.5%) women ovulated, and 6 (15%) conceived. In the control group, 5 (12.5%) women ovulated but none conceived. Compared with the control group, the metformin group had significantly higher ovulation (P = 0.03) and pregnancy rates (P = 0.026).

CONCLUSION: Twelve days of metformin pretreatment improves ovulation and pregnancy rates in women with CC-resistant PCOS.

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Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design.

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