Between 5 and 10 percent of all women have polycystic ovary syndrome, a disorder characterized by high androgen levels and the presence of multiple small cysts on the ovaries. Women with PCOS, as it's commonly called, may suffer from excess hair on the face and body and anovulation, or lack of ovulation. They may ovulate infrequently, making it difficult to get pregnant. Between 50 and 60 percent of women with PCOS are overweight, Women's Health UK reports. Metformin, sold commercially as Glucophage, an oral anti-diabetic drug used to lower blood glucose levels in diabetics, can improve the symptoms of PCOS, including overweight.
Mechanism
Metformin belongs to a class of medications called biguanides. Biguanides reduce blood sugar levels by decreasing glucose production by the liver. Biguanides also decrease insulin resistance, meaning that even though insulin is produced, cells don't respond to it by taking up glucose. Decreasing insulin resistance results in better glucose absorption from the blood. Metformin can also reduce testosterone levels. Metformin is normally taken twice a day in doses of 500 to 1,000 mg.
Effects
Women with PCOS often have insulin resistance. Symptoms of insulin resistance include the presence of dark, thicker than normal, velvety skin behind their knees, around the neck and under the armpits. Insulin resistance can lead to type 2 diabetes, a potential complication in women with PCOS. Insulin resistance also appears to increase androgen production; androgens are male hormone, with testosterone being the most common. Improving insulin resistance can lead to weight loss by decreasing blood glucose and facilitating the body's proper utilization of glucose as well as improving androgen-related side effects. High insulin levels can also contribute to heart disease and high blood pressure, two disorders that also often improve with weight loss.
Benefits
Losing as little as 5 to 10 percent of body weight often helps women with PCOS start to ovulate normally, which increase the chances of pregnancy. Losing weight also decreases the chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Weight loss also improves insulin sensitivity, so the chance of insulin resistance developing again decreases. Metformin does not lower blood sugar levels in people who do not have diabetes; unlike other drugs in this class, it does not increase the risk of low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia.
Benefits
The Georgia Reproductive Specialists group found that patients who took generic metformin rather than the brand-name extended-release form lost more weight. Metformin alone may not be enough to induce significant weight loss in women with PCOS. Exercise and following a diet composed of 40 percent carbohydrate or less may also helps, Women's Health UK states.
