Insulin-lowering drugs in polycystic ovary syndrome

Insulin resistance is now a recognized feature of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that plays a crucial role in the hyperandrogenemia and chronic anovulation associated with this disorder. As a result of this discovery, insulin sensitizing drugs are emerging as important therapeutic tools that appear to reduce androgens and insulin, thereby ameliorating reproductive and metabolic abnormalities of PCOS. Unlike conventional therapies for PCOS, these drugs offer the ability to reverse or ameliorate features of syndrome X. The latter suggests that insulin sensitizing drugs may play a role in the chronic management of this disorder.