Randomized Study of the Effect of Decreased Hyperinsulinemia on the Ovulatory Response to Clomiphene Citrate in Obese Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA: --Disease Characteristics-- Obese women with chronic anovulation due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Must have oligoamenorrhea and hyperandrogenemia --Prior/Concurrent Therapy-- At least 2 months since prior standard therapy (including over the counter drugs) At least 2 months since prior investigational agents --Patient Characteristics-- Hematopoietic: Hematocrit greater than 38% Hepatic: Liver function normal No clinically significant hepatic disease Renal: No clinically significant renal disease Creatinine less than 1.4 mg/dL No proteinuria Cardiovascular: No clinically significant cardiac disease Pulmonary: No clinically significant pulmonary disease Hormonal: Thyroid function normal Prolactin normal Fasting 17 alpha-hydroxy progesterone less than 200 mg/dL OR No late onset adrenal hyperplasia 21 alpha-hydroxylase deficiency Other: Not pregnant Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No diabetes mellitus No clinically significant neurologic, psychiatric, infectious, neoplastic, or metabolic disease No clinically significant malignant disease except nonmelanomatous skin cancer At least 1 year since any prior drug abuse or alcoholism