Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Pregnancy: Is Metformin the Magic Bullet?
Abstract
In Brief
This article reviews the literature regarding the effects of metformin therapy in pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome on weight loss, fertility, early pregnancy loss, malformations, gestational diabetes mellitus, perinatal mortality, placental clearance, lactation, and early childhood development. The pharmacology of metformin is also presented. Preliminary data suggest that metformin for this population may be both safe and effective. Large blinded, randomized clinical trials are underway to confirm the preliminary safety data.
Footnotes
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Howard Craig Zisser, MD, is director of clinical research at the Sansum Diabetes Research Institute in Santa Barbara, Calif.
- American Diabetes Association
