Conditions: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Irregular Menstrual Cycles Androgen Excess
Keywords: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Irregular Menstrual Cycles Androgen Excess in Women
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: PARALLEL
Enrollment: 10
Healthy volunteers: yes

Brief summary:
The purpose of this study is to study the effect of a commonly used antibiotic, doxycycline, on the production of ovarian hormones and menstrual cycles in women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).

Detailed description:
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the leading causes of female infertility, affecting 5-10% of reproductive-age women . This heterogeneous disorder is characterized by anovulatory infertility, androgen excess, an increase in the ratio of LH to FSH, and morphologic polycystic changes to the ovaries. Obesity and insulin resistance are also metabolic factors associated with PCOS that further increase the morbidity in these patients. Inducing fertility in patients with PCOS can be a challenge, as it most often involves ovulation induction that can lead to ovarian enlargement, hyperstimulation, and multiple-birth pregnancies. This study is designed to determine novel effective strategies to promote normal cycling in this patient population.

Arms:
arm 1: Subjects randomized to receive doxycycline for a period of 12 weeks. A 12-week period thereafter will occur off study medication. The dose of doxycycline to be used in this study is 200mg/day in divided doses of 100mg twice daily. The dose of doxycycline being used in this study is 100mg because it is the standard approved dose. arm 2: The administered placebo is to be continued for a period of 12 weeks. A 12-week period thereafter will occur off placebo control

Interventions: intervention 1: doxycycline intervention 2: Sugar Pill
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: 200mg/day in divided doses of 100mg twice daily intervention 2: 1 pill twice a day

Protocol document: