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The effects of metformin or orlistat on obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a prospective randomized open-label study

  • Sedigheh Ghandi
  • Abbas Aflatoonian
  • Nasim Tabibnejad
  • Mohammad Hossein Sojoodi Moghaddam
Gonadal Physiology and Disease
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

Purpose

Comparing the effects of metformin or orlistat on hormone, lipid profile and ovulation status in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Methods

A total of 80 women were prospectively recruited to receive either metformin (n = 40) or orlistat (n = 40). Weight, BMI, waist, serum LH, total serum testosterone and lipid profile were assessed at baseline and after 3 months. The subjects’ ovulatory status was assessed after 3 months.

Results

There was no significant difference in ovulation between the two treatment groups (30% vs 15%). Treatment with either drug showed a significant decline in body weight, BMI (Body Mass Index), and waist circumference, but the degree of decline in both groups was the same. Patients who were treated with orlistat, showed a significant reduction in total testosterone and serum lipid. Women in metformin group showed a significant reduction in serum LH.

Conclusions

Both metformin and orlistat showed a similar effect on weight loss and ovulation rates.

Keywords

Metformin Orlistat PCOS Weight loss Waist circumference 
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Notes

Acknowledgements

The authors especially thank Dr Hossein Fallahzadeh for his assistance in statistical analysis of the data. This study was supported by a grant from the Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  • Sedigheh Ghandi
    • 1
  • Abbas Aflatoonian
    • 2
  • Nasim Tabibnejad
    • 2
  • Mohammad Hossein Sojoodi Moghaddam
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of Obstetrics & GynecologySabzevar University of Medical SciencesSabzevarIran
  2. 2.Research and Clinical Center for InfertilityShahid Sadoughi University of Medical SciencesYazdIran

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