open access
Reimbursement of metformin for polycystic ovary syndrome
open access
Abstract
The latest list of reimbursed medicines includes, as a new addition, metformin for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS),
which is extremely important for practicing physicians. While this paper briefly summarises the current state of knowledge on PCOS,
its main aim is to remind the reader about the effectiveness of metformin in women with PCOS in controlling glycaemia, increasing
tissue sensitivity to insulin and affecting endothelial function, vascular inflammation, lipid profile and other risk factors of atherosclerosis,
which suggests its cardioprotective effects. The paper also discusses the clinical effect of metformin relative to hyperandrogenism,
menstrual cycle disorders and ovulation induction. The paper concludes with an algorithm for the diagnosis and management of PCOS.
(Endokrynol Pol 2013; 64 (5): 409–414)
Abstract
The latest list of reimbursed medicines includes, as a new addition, metformin for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS),
which is extremely important for practicing physicians. While this paper briefly summarises the current state of knowledge on PCOS,
its main aim is to remind the reader about the effectiveness of metformin in women with PCOS in controlling glycaemia, increasing
tissue sensitivity to insulin and affecting endothelial function, vascular inflammation, lipid profile and other risk factors of atherosclerosis,
which suggests its cardioprotective effects. The paper also discusses the clinical effect of metformin relative to hyperandrogenism,
menstrual cycle disorders and ovulation induction. The paper concludes with an algorithm for the diagnosis and management of PCOS.
(Endokrynol Pol 2013; 64 (5): 409–414)
Keywords
PCOS; metabolic abnormalities; metformin


Title
Reimbursement of metformin for polycystic ovary syndrome
Journal
Issue
Article type
Review paper
Pages
409-414
Published online
2013-11-01
Page views
2784
Article views/downloads
2907
DOI
10.5603/EP.2013.0025
Bibliographic record
Endokrynol Pol 2013;64(5):409-414.
Keywords
PCOS
metabolic abnormalities
metformin
Authors
Andrzej Milewicz