Metformin-clomiphene citrate vs. clomiphene citrate alone: Polycystic ovarian syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the commonest endocrinopathy in women that is associated with reproductive and metabolic disorders.

We compared the ovulation and conception rates after the treatment with clomiphene citrate (CC) alone and in combination with metformin in infertile patients presented with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

This randomized controlled trial of independent cases and controls was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hera General Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia from February 01 to December 31, 2008. The 42 subjects diagnosed as PCOS were divided into group A and B (21 subjects in each) for management with CC + metformin and CC alone, respectively. Group A received 500 mg three times a day of metformin continuously from the first cycle for 6 months or till pregnancy was confirmed. In both groups CC was started at a dose of 50 mg from day-2 till day-6 of the menstrual cycle. The dose of CC was increased to 100 mg in second and 150 mg in third cycle, and then remained 150 mg for the remaining three cycles. With ovulation the dose of CC was unaltered in both groups. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.

More than 50% females in both groups were had body mass index > 25. Group A achieved high rate of regular cycles, ovulation success, and conception than group B (71.4% vs. 38.1%; P = 0.03), (76.2% vs. 38.1%; P = 0.021), and (66.6% vs. 28.6%; P = 0.01), respectively.

Management with metformin + CC increased the ovulation and conception rates.