N Acetylcysteine Vs. Metformin in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age, characterized by hyperandrogenism, enlarged cystic ovaries, and persistent anovulation. This condition often coexists with insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Effective treatment options that can improve menstruation patterns, enhance insulin sensitivity, and address dyslipidemia with minimal side effects are highly sought after.

In a recent study conducted at a tertiary care hospital, researchers investigated the efficacy of N Acetylcysteine as an alternative to the commonly used Metformin in treating women with PCOS. The study compared the effects of these two medications on clinical parameters such as BMI and menstrual pattern, along with biochemical parameters such as fasting blood sugar levels and lipid profiles.

A total of 60 women aged 18 to 45 were enrolled in the study and randomly divided into two groups. Group M received Metformin 500mg TDS (three times a day), while Group N received N Acetylcysteine 600mg TDS. The study closely monitored and recorded the changes in clinical and biochemical parameters associated with metabolic syndrome before and after completion of the treatment, as well as any potential side effects of the drugs.

The study observed-

• Statistically significant decrease in BMI, Waist hip ratio in both metformin and NAC groups.
• After treatment, there was a difference in BMI of 3.63 compared to 4.16 and a difference in waist-hip ratio of 0.014 compared to 0.017.
• Significant improvement in menstrual pattern, FBS, and lipid profile in both treatments.
• Superior results in Group N than in group M.

In conclusion, both Metformin and N Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) proved to be effective in improving BMI, menstrual pattern, and metabolic parameters in women with Polycystic OvarianSyndrome (PCOS). However, the study results indicate that NAC exhibited a statistically more significant reduction in BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), fasting blood sugar (FBS), lipid profile, and menstrual pattern compared to Metformin. These findings suggest that NAC may offer promising advantages over Metformin in addressing the metabolic and reproductive aspects of PCOS management.

Gopalsamy P, Gopalan U, Efficacy of N acetylcysteine vs. Metformin on biochemical and clinical parameters in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome in a tertiary care hospital. Indian J ObstetGynecol Res 2023;10(2):142-146