Treatment of Hyperandrogenism Versus Insulin Resistance in Infertile Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Women

Summary

The goal of this three-armed randomized controlled trial is to establish the relative roles of treatment of hyperandrogenism versus obesity (as the largest modifiable factor contributing to insulin resistance) in treating infertility and improving pregnancy outcomes among obese PCOS women. The investigators hypothesize that the key to restoring ovulation leading to live birth is to correct hyperandrogenism with oral contraceptive pills, but the key to avoiding later pregnancy complications is to improve insulin sensitivity with weight loss.

Timeline

Start

2008-09

Primary completion

2014-03

Completion

2014-03

Publications

• Steinberg Weiss M, Roe AH, Allison KC, Dodson WC, Kris-Etherton PM, Kunselman AR, Stetter CM, Williams NI, Gnatuk CL, Estes SJ, Sarwer DB, Coutifaris C, Legro RS, Dokras A. Lifestyle modifications alone or combined with hormonal contraceptives improve sexual dysfunction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil Steril. 2021 Feb;115(2):474-482. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.08.1396. Epub 2020 Oct 12.
• Shah A, Dodson WC, Kris-Etherton PM, Kunselman AR, Stetter CM, Gnatuk CL, Estes SJ, Allison KC, Sarwer DB, Sluss PM, Coutifaris C, Dokras A, Legro RS. Effects of Oral Contraception and Lifestyle Modification on Incretins and TGF-ss Superfamily Hormones in PCOS. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2021 Jan 1;106(1):108-119. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa682.
• Dokras A, Sarwer DB, Allison KC, Milman L, Kris-Etherton PM, Kunselman AR, Stetter CM, Williams NI, Gnatuk CL, Estes SJ, Fleming J, Coutifaris C, Legro RS. Weight Loss and Lowering Androgens Predict Improvements in Health-Related Quality of Life in Women With PCOS. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016 Aug;101(8):2966-74. doi: 10.1210/jc.2016-1896. Epub 2016 Jun 2.
• Legro RS, Dodson WC, Kunselman AR, Stetter CM, Kris-Etherton PM, Williams NI, Gnatuk CL, Estes SJ, Allison KC, Sarwer DB, Diamond MP, Schlaff WD, Casson PR, Christman GM, Barnhart KT, Bates GW, Usadi R, Lucidi S, Baker V, Zhang H, Eisenberg E, Coutifaris C, Dokras A. Benefit of Delayed Fertility Therapy With Preconception Weight Loss Over Immediate Therapy in Obese Women With PCOS. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016 Jul;101(7):2658-66. doi: 10.1210/jc.2016-1659. Epub 2016 May 12.
• Legro RS, Dodson WC, Kris-Etherton PM, Kunselman AR, Stetter CM, Williams NI, Gnatuk CL, Estes SJ, Fleming J, Allison KC, Sarwer DB, Coutifaris C, Dokras A. Randomized Controlled Trial of Preconception Interventions in Infertile Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015 Nov;100(11):4048-58. doi: 10.1210/jc.2015-2778. Epub 2015 Sep 24.

Drugs

Indications