In this prospective randomized study of women with PCOS, 20 women received 850 mg of metformin twice a day, and 20 women received 850 mg of metformin plus 5 mg of MPA twice a day. Body mass index, hormonal and lipid blood profiles, homocysteine blood level, and insulin sensitivities assessed by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) were recorded at baseline and at 3 months.
Total cholesterol levels decreased in the metformin plus MPA group (P = 0.002) but did not change significantly in the metformin group (P = 0.159). While homocysteine levels remained unchanged in the metformin plus MPA group, they increased significantly in the metformin group (P = 0.002).
There were no adverse effects of short-term cyclic MPA plus metformin treatment on metabolic parameters or insulin resistance in patients with PCOS over a 3-month treatment period.