Birth control pills or metformin: which works better for PCOS?

NCT ID NCT03229057

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Anuja Dokras Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looked at 240 overweight or obese women with PCOS to see if birth control pills, metformin, or a combination of both is best for reducing metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions that raise the risk for diabetes and heart disease. Participants took one of the three treatments for six months. The goal was to find out which approach improves health markers like waist size, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: oral contraceptive pills and metformin
What this could lead to: If successful, this study could show that combining OCP and metformin reduces metabolic syndrome risk in women with PCOS, potentially lowering their chances of diabetes and heart disease.
What could go wrong: This trial is completed but results may not apply to all women with PCOS. The 6-month treatment period is short, and long-term benefits or risks are not yet known.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

polycystic ovary syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

PCOS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Penn State/ Hershey Medical Center

Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, United States
University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

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