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INTRODUCTION:
Polycystic ovary syndrome is characterized by anovulation (irregular or absent menstrual periods) and hyperandrogenism
(elevated serum testosterone and androstenedione). Patients with this syndrome may complain of abnormal bleeding,
infertility, obesity, excess hair growth, hair loss and acne. In addition to the clinical and hormonal changes
associated with this condition, vaginal ultrasound shows enlarged ovaries with an increased number of small (6-10mm)
follicles around the periphery (Polycystic Appearing Ovaries or PAO). While ultrasound reveals that polycystic
appearing ovaries are commonly seen in up to 20% of women in the reproductive age range, PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome
(PCOS) is a estimated to affect about half as many or approximately 6-10% of women. The condition appears to have
a genetic component and those effected often have both male and female relatives with adult-onset diabetes, obesity,
elevated blood triglycerides, high blood pressure and female relatives with infertility, hirsutism and menstrual
problems.
WHAT CAUSES PCOS?
As of yet, we do not understand why one woman who demonstrates polycystic appearing ovaries on ultrasound has regular
menstrual cycles and no signs of excess androgens while another develops PCOS. One of the major biochemical features
of polycystic ovary syndrome is insulin resistance accompanied by compensatory hyperinsulinemia (elevated fasting
blood insulin levels). There is increasing data that hyperinsulinemia produces the hyperandrogenism of polycystic
ovary syndrome by increasing ovarian androgen production, particularly testosterone and androstenedione and by
decreasing the serum sex hormone binding globulin concentration. The high levels of androgenic hormones interfere
with the pituitary ovarian axis, leading to increased LH levels, anovulation, amenorrhea, and infertility.
NEWER METHODS OF TREATMENT
Traditional treatments have been difficult, expensive and have limited success. Infertility treatments include
weight loss diets, ovulation medications, ovarian drilling surgery and IVF. Other symptoms have been managed by
anti-androgen medication (birth control pills, spironolactone, flutamide or finasteride)
But recently two promising new treatment options have become available. Drs. Velazquez, Nestler and Dunaif have
shown that lowering serum insulin concentrations with metformin (Glucophage 1500 mg a day) or troglitazone (Rezulin
400 mg a day) ameliorates hyperandrogenism, by reduction of ovarian enzyme activity that results in male hormone
production.
For women in the reproductive age range, polycystic ovary syndrome is a serious, common cause of infertility, because
of the endocrine abnormalities which accompany elevated insulin levels. There is increasing evidence that this
endocrine abnormality can be reversed by treatment with widely available standard medications which are leading
medicines used in this country for the treatment of adult onset diabetes, metformin (Glucophage 500 or 850 mg three
times per day with meals) or troglitazone (Rezulin 400 mg once a day). These medications have been shown to reverse
the endocrine abnormalities seen with polycystic ovary syndrome within two or three months. They can result in
decreased hair loss, diminished facial and body hair growth, normalization of elevated blood pressure, regulation
or menses, weight loss and normal fertility. We have seen pregnancies result in less than two months in woman who
conceived in their very first ovulatory menstrual cycle.
The medical literature suggests that the endocrinopathy in most patients with polycystic ovary syndrome can be
resolved with metformin or troglitazone therapy. This is clinically very important because the therapy reduces
hirsutism, obesity, blood pressure, triglyceride levels, and facilitates reestablishment of the normal pituitary_ovarian
cycle, thus often allowing resumption of normal ovulatory cycles and pregnancy. We know the polycystic ovary disease
is associated with increased risk of heart attack and stroke because of the associated heart attack and stroke
risk factors, hypertension, obesity, hyperandrogenism, hypertriglyceridemia, and these are to a large degree resolved
by metformin or troglitazone therapy.
ARE THESE MEDICATIONS SAFE?
Side effects are rare. Fortunately, when given to non_diabetic patients, neither metformin or troglitazone lowers
blood sugar while both appear to be very safe. In the first week of taking the medication, people will often experience
upset stomach or diarrhea which usually resolves after the first week. For those on metformin, this side effect
can be minimized by starting with one pill daily the first week and increasing to twice a day during the second
week. Patients with reduced renal function (creatinine >1.5 or creatinine clearance <60%) are at a higher
risk for a rare side effect of metformin therapy called lactic acidosis, and the drug should be given cautiously,
if at all, to such patients.
While safety during pregnancy has not yet been established, three patients who continued on metformin during their
entire pregnancy and one who remained on troglitazone have delivered normal babies. Dr. Glueck, Nestler, and I
have all had patients who have conceived using metformin and all resulting babies were normal. These drugs are
considered class B meaning that insufficient human data is available but no credible animal data suggests a teratogenic
risk. Although to the best of our present knowledge the risk of birth defects would be small, it must be noted
that maternal diabetes has been associated with an increased risk of birth defects and the underlying elevated
insulin levels may lead to birth defects if not corrected. I feel the most prudent policy is to avoid the use of
the medications during pregnancy until more data is available. Therefore, we ask all patients on these medications
to monitor their basal body temperatures if pregnancy is a possibility. When the temperature remains elevated for
more than 16 days, pregnancy is likely and a home pregnancy test should be performed. If positive, the medication
is discontinued. If negative the BBT chart is reviewed by the physician or nurse to determine the appropriate course
to follow.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Velazquez EM, Mendosa S, Hamer T, Sosa F, Glucck CJ. Metformin therapy in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
reduces hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, hyperandrogenemia, and systolic blood pressure, while facilitating
menstrual regularity and pregnancy. Metabolism 1994,43:647_655.
2. Nestler JE, Jakubowicz DJ. Decreases in ovarian cytochrome P450cl7alpha activity and serum free testosterone
after reduction of insulin secretion in polycystic ovary syndrome. New England J Medicine 1996,335:617_623.
3. Utiger RD. Insulin and the polycystic ovary syndrome. New England J Medicine 1996,335:657_658
4. Dunaif A, Scott D, Finegood D, Quintana ma B, Whitcomb R. The insulin sensitizing agent Troglitazone improves
metabolic and reproductive abnormalities in the polycystic ovary syndrome Endocrinol Metab 1996;81:3299_3306
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