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.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of anovulatory infertility among women, and women with PCOS are at increased risk for pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia. Both hyperandrogenism (HA) and obesity exacerbated insulin resistance (IR) are characteristics of the syndrome, and are targets for treatment, but which should be the predominant focus is still unknown. Phase 1 of this study will be a randomized trial of three preconception interventions in infertile women with PCOS. The first arm will be a combined intervention of medication, meal replacements, and lifestyle modification to improve IR. Orlistat is a gastric lipase inhibitor that reduces the absorption of fat contained in a meal by about 30%. The second arm will be the use of a continuous OCP for 4 months to improve HA. Lo-Estrin 1/20 will be used in a continuous method for 4 months to suppress the ovary. The third arm is the combination of both to improve HA an IR. Phase II of this study will involve ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate with hopeful outcome of pregnancy. Finally, Phase III involve following the pregnancies for outcomes and complications.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
217
Orlistat will be given at 60 mg three times per day (1 tablet 3 times a day) before meals, i.e., breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Patients will be started on a low dose containing OCP for a continuous 4 month period.
Medications will be administered as described for the other 2 arms.
Penn State College of Medicine, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States
University of Pennsylvania, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Live Birth Rate
Time frame: Participants were followed for 4 months of attempted conception and those who conceived were then followed for the duration of their pregnancy, approximately 9 months.
Ovulation Rate
Time frame: Up to 4 months
Change in Weight
Change from baseline to end of the 4-month intervention.
Time frame: Baseline, 4 months
Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome
Time frame: Baseline, 4 months
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