THE EFFECT OF METFORMIN ON BODY WEIGHT IN POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME PATIENTS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCO) is an endocrine disease that is characterized by a set of symptoms including irregular menstruation, subfertility, skin changes, hirsutism and weight gain. The pathogenesis of PCO is mostly related to increase androgens and insulin resistance. Treatment is mostly symptomatic hence metformin is being used due to its effect in decreasing gluconeogenesis and by increasing peripheral utilization of glucose, in addition to its lowering effects on androgen. Thus, Metformin role in PCO treatment ranges between managing insulin resistance, promoting ovulation and treating hirsutism to some extent. Some studies showed that Metformin is effective in lowering body weight in PCO patients, yet it is not being indicated officially for this purpose. Background: Metformin is expected to have an effect of weight reduction in PCO patients This is the scope of this research which intends to explore this action. Method: The Study design is cross sectional study using online questionnaire. Open and closed ended questions were included. Results: Based on the results the majority shows decrease in the weight, while only one reported increase in their weight and only one had the same weight during and after treatment with metformin. Conclusions: Metformin generally showed positive effect regarding reducing the body weight of the females diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome when used alone.