Comparison of Metformin and Pioglitazone in Regulating Menstrual Irregularities and Hyperandrogenism

This study will be a prospective, randomized, open label, multicentre study. It will be carried out in outpatients department of Obstetrics and gynecology, at the Dow university of Hospital and mamji hospital Karachi.

The study period will be of 6 months. Polycystic ovarian syndrome PCOS constitute most common endocrinopathy present in 4-7% women of reproductive age. Rotterdam criteria, diagnosis of PCOS require two of the three features: oligo and/or anovulation, clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries by u/s and the absence of other endocrine conditions such as hypothyroidism, cushing syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, or hyperprolactinemia.

Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia may play a key role in pathogenesis of this syndrome by deregulating LH secretion at central level and increased stimulation of cytochrome p450 in ovary, hyperinsulinemia also decreases the circulating concentration of SHBG and contribute to greater concentration of free androgens in blood, cut off of insulin level for insulin resistance in Pakistani population is 9.25U/ml. On basis of evidence, Insulin sensitizing agents has been recently proposed as a useful treatment option in women with pcos, which by reducing insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, reduce the insulin driven ovarian and adrenal hyperandrogenism usually restoring normal LH and FSH secretion and ovulatory cycles.