The pros and cons of application of metformin in the pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are often confronted with adverse pregnancy outcomes. There is accumulating evidence demonstrating that metformin increases the rate of pregnancy and reduces the occurrence of miscarriage. However, the lack of sufficient evidence for metformin in reducing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preeclampsia as well as its long-term safety data for offspring were also noted. The application of metformin in pregnant women with PCOS remains controversial. PCOS is a disease of great heterogeneity. With an increasing understanding of the pathogenesis of PCOS, the individualized treatment is a future trend as the patients with PCOS should be accurately classified to achieve the maximum benefit when metformin is added during pregnancy. (Chin J Endocrinol Metab, 2018, 34: 809-813) Key words: Polycystic ovary syndrome; Pregnancy; Metformin