Comparing the Effects of Oral Contraceptive Pills Versus Metformin

Completed · Phase 3 · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: PCOS

In brief

To determine the effect of Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCP) verses Metformin verses OCP and Metformin on the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and its components in overweight/obese women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). The combination of OCP and metformin (OCP, through lowering androgens, and metformin, through improvement in insulin sensitivity) will affect the prevalence of MetS, thereby altering the risk profile for the development of diabetes and possible cardiovascular disease (CVD) in young women with PCOS.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03229057

Run by

Anuja Dokras

People needed

240

Starts

2018-01-15

Expected to finish

2024-07-15

Last updated by the study team

2025-11-05

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 40. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Women ≥ 18 to ≤ 40 years of age (at the time of screening), with hyperandrogenic PCOS.
• Subjects will be diagnosed with PCOS defined by the most recent Rotterdam criteria based on:
• androgen excess (defined as an elevated serum T level or hirsutism, based on a Ferriman Gallwey score > 8 (note: > 2 for women of Asian descent)
• AND either:
• history of chronic anovulation (8 or fewer periods per year)
• AND/OR
• polycystic ovaries.
• BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² to ≤ 48 kg/m² obtained at screening visit.
• In good general health.
• Willing to avoid pregnancy for the duration of the study.

You may not qualify if…

• Current pregnancy or desire of pregnancy during course of study
• Currently breastfeeding
• Known 21 hydroxylase deficiency
• Untreated thyroid disease (TSH <0.45 mlU/mL and > 4.5 mlU/mL)
• Untreated hyperprolactinemia (2 Levels>30 ng/ml at least one week apart)
• Type 1 or type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (elevated fasting serum glucose >126mg/dL on two occasions, poorly controlled diabetes (HgbA1C>6.5%), currently receiving anti-diabetic agents, or currently receiving metformin for treatment of diabetes
• Liver disease (AST/ALT>2 times normal or a total bilirubin >2.5 mg/dL)
• Renal disease (BUN>30 mg/dL or serum creatinine >1.4 mg/dL)
• Anemia (hemoglobin <10 mg/dL)
• History of deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, or cerebrovascular accident
• Current history of alcohol abuse (>14drinks/week)
• Poorly controlled hypertension defined as average systolic blood pressure >= 150 mm Hg or average diastolic >=100 mm Hg obtained on three measurements obtained 5 minutes apart. If treated, average systolic blood pressure >=140 mm Hg or average diastolic >=90 mm Hg
• Patients with a history of, or suspected cervical carcinoma, endometrial carcinoma, or breast carcinoma
• TG>200mg/dl
• Use of lipid lowering or weight loss agents (subjects may wash out from weight loss agents)
• Current use of oral contraceptives, depo progestin, or hormonal implants
• Participation in any study of an investigational drug or device or biological agent within 30 days
• Suspected adrenal or ovarian tumor secreting androgens
• Suspected Cushing's syndrome
• Bariatric surgery procedure in the recent past (<12 months)
• Absolute contraindications to the use of hormonal contraceptives or metformin,
• Subjects who are unable to comply with the study procedures, for instance due to mental illness, substance abuse, or participation in other studies.

Where it is running

• Penn State/ Hershey Medical Center — Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States
• University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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