A randomized, 48-week, placebo-controlled trial of intensive lifestyle modification and/or metformin therapy in overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A pilot study  Kathleen M Hoeger, M.D., Lynda Kochman, R.N., C.C.R.C., Nellie Wixom, R.D., Kimberly Craig, B.S., Richard K Miller, Ph.D., David S Guzick, M.D., Ph.D.  Fertility and Sterility  Volume 82, Issue 2, Pages 421-429 (August 2004) DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.02.104

FIGURE 1 Flow diagram of participants. Hoeger. Lifestyle modification and metformin in PCOS. Fertil Steril 2004. Fertility and Sterility 2004 82, 421-429DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.02.104)

FIGURE 2 Modified Ferriman-Gallwey hirsutism score before and after 48 weeks of treatment. L = lifestyle modification; M = metformin. Hoeger. Lifestyle modification and metformin in PCOS. Fertil Steril 2004. Fertility and Sterility 2004 82, 421-429DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.02.104)

FIGURE 3 Percent of subjects in each group experiencing <3 ovulatory episodes (blue), 3–6 ovulatory episodes (light purple), and >6 ovulatory episodes (red) over 48 weeks. Met = metformin; LS = lifestyle modification. Hoeger. Lifestyle modification and metformin in PCOS. Fertil Steril 2004. Fertility and Sterility 2004 82, 421-429DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.02.104)

FIGURE 4 Mean number of ovulatory episodes over 24 weeks, displayed by subjects experiencing weight loss (blue bars) and not experiencing weight loss (red bars). Use of metformin is noted within each weight-loss group by a + or − sign. Hoeger. Lifestyle modification and metformin in PCOS. Fertil Steril 2004. Fertility and Sterility 2004 82, 421-429DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.02.104)