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The Effects of Calcium-Vitamin D and Metformin on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Pilot Study

Batool Hossein Rashidi, Fedyeh Haghollahi, Mamak Shariat, Farid Zayerii

Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2009

60 participants · 156 citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of calcium-vitamin D and metformin on the menstrual cycle and ovulation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this pilot study, 60 infertile PCOS patients were enrolled in a randomized clinical trial and divided into three equal groups. Group 1 received 1,000 mg of calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D per day, orally. Group 2 received the same as Group 1, plus 1,500 mg/day of metformin. Group 3 received 1,500 mg/day of metformin. The patients were treated for 3 months and followed up for a further 3 months. Regularity of menses, number of large follicles (> or = 14 mm) and pregnancy rates were compared among the three groups. RESULTS: Generalized estimating equation tests showed that the number of dominant follicles (> or = 14 mm) during the 2-3 months of follow-up was higher in the calcium-vitamin D plus metformin group than in either of the other two groups (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: The effects of metformin and calcium-vitamin D in regulating the menstrual cycle suggest that they could also be effective for the treatment of anovulation and oligomenorrhea, with possible consequences for pregnancy rates in PCOS patients.

How strong is the evidence?

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. Reported size: 60 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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