Is The Co-administration of Metformin and Clomiphene Superior to Induce Ovulation in Infertile Patients with Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome and Confirmed Insulin-resistance: A Double Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of clomiphene citrate (CC) combined with metformin or placebo on infertile patients with poly cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and insulin resistance (IR). Material(s) and Method(s): We included 151 infertile women with PCOS and IR in a university hospital from November 2015 to April 2022 in this prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Patients were randomized into two groups;group A: received CC plus metformin (n = 76) and group B: received CC plus placebo (n = 75). The ovulation rate was the main outcome measure. Clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, live birth and abortion rates were secondary outcome measures. Result(s): There was no remarkable difference in ovulation rate in two groups. Moreover, no significant changes were observed in clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, live birth and abortion rates between two groups. A larger proportion of women in group A suffered from side effects of metformin (9.3% versus 1.4%;p=0.064), although this was not significant. Conclusion(s): In IR infertile women with PCOS, metformin pre-treatment did not increase the ovulation, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates in patients on clomiphene citrate.Copyright © 2023 Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

The gendered impact of coronavirus disease (COVID-19): do estrogens play a role?

Objective: Although sex-disaggregated data for COVID-19 show equal numbers of cases between men and women, there seem to be sex differences in mortality rate and vulnerability to the disease: more men than women are dying. Methods: We have explored the potential role of estrogens in this COVID-19 gendered impact. Results: Estrogens stimulate the humoral response to viral infections, while testosterone and progesterone give an immune suppression of both innate and cell-mediated immune responses. We hypothesise that estrogens, in particular estradiol but also synthetic estrogen such as ethinylestradiol, could protect women from the most serious complications of COVID-19. The use of medications that keep hormonal levels high and stable, such as combined hormonal contraceptive, could therefore play a protective role. These potential benefits overtake the thrombotic risk in healthy women. As stated by the World Health Organization, all modern methods of contraception were safe to use during the COVID-19 pandemic.