Testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate serum levels and anthropometric indices among patients with polycystic ovary syndrome taking metformin and cyproterone compound

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is associated with hyperandrogenism and obesity. The present study was performed with aim to compare testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate serum levels and anthropometric indices between patients with PCOS taking metformin and cyproterone compounds.

This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in 2022 was performed by reviewing the medical documents including age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip-ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), testosterone serum levels, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate before and after taking the drugs for 3 months. Two-hundred and twenty participants were divided in 4 groups (n=55 in each group) as follows: 1) taking metformin 500 mg daily, 2) taking cyproterone compound 2 mg daily, 3) taking metformin and cyproterone compound simultaneously, and 4) participants without PCOS as control. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 25) and paired T-test and ANOVA. P<0.05 was consider statistically significant.

Before the intervention, the mean serum levels of testosterone and dihydroxyepiandrosterone sulfate were significantly higher in the intervention groups compared to the control group without PCOS (p<0.001 and p=0.005, respectively). This difference was not significant after the intervention (p=0.111 and p=0.423, respectively). However, taking metformin alone increased BMI (p= 0.001) and WC (p= 0.001) and decreased WHtR (p= 0.026) compared to the control group. Taking metformin and cyproterone compounds simultaneously were associated with a decrease in WC compared to the control group (p= 0.001).

Taking metformin and cyproterone compounds alone or simultaneously has no effect on the androgens serum level. Co-administration of metformin and cyproterone compounds may reduce abdominal obesity in PCOS patients.