Inclusion Criteria- The participants, who was menstrual irregularity (oligomenorrhoea/ amenorrhoea), signs of hyperandrogenism (hirsutism, acne, central alopecia) and signs of hyperinsulinemia- (obesity, acanthosis nigricans), polycystic ovaries on ultrasound included in this study.

Exclusion Criteria- The participant, who was pregnancy, hypothyroidism, hyperprolectimea, adrenal hyperandrogenaemia, cushing’s syndrome and patients within two years of menarche excluded in this study.

Subject Recruitment- Menstrual history in detail was taken including age, age at menarche, menstrual history regarding oligomenorrhea/ amenorrhea/ hypomenorrhea/ menorrhagia. A detailed history was obtained from cases for the intake of any hormonal drugs, including COCs as well as medication for lowering Serum glucose. Detailed Physical examination was done including- Blood pressure, Secondary sexual characters (tanner staging), weight, height, BMI, waist hip ratio, Androgen status assessment - hirsutism (modified ferriman-gallwey scoring), acne, insulin resistance features (acanthosis nigricans), Moon facies/ striae (if any). Clinical hyperandrogenism was defined using a modified Ferriman-Gallwey (FG) score for evaluating and quantifying hirsutism in women using nine body areas (upper lip, chin, chest, upper and lower abdomen, thighs, upper and lower back and upper arm). Hair growth was rated from 0 (no growth of terminal hair) to 4 (extensive hair growth) in each of the nine locations. Score indicative of androgen excess as < 4 considered as mild, 4 to ≤8 as moderate and ≥ 8 as severe hirsutism.

BMI was calculated as BMI= Weight/height², in kilogram per meter². Cut-off body mass index (BMI) with body fat as Standard Consensus Statement for Indian population was considered, i.e. Underweight: BMI< 18.5 kg/m², Normal BMI: 18.0–22.9 kg/m², Overweight: 23.0–24.9 kg/m², and BMI ≥ 25 was considered as obese.

Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR ratio) was calculated as a marker of body fat distribution at baseline, according to the standard formula:

WHR= Waist circumference (cm)/ Hip circumference (cm)

Determination of polycystic ovaries was confirmed by ultrasound, in 1 or both ovaries, either 12 or more follicles measuring 2-9 mm in diameter OR increased ovarian volume > 10 cm³, Identification of endometrial abnormality.

Sample collection- Blood sample were collected at the time of enrollment for the baseline information on Day 2/ Day3 of menses and after three month treatment. All the participants were asked to respect an overnight fast before blood collection. Other specific investigations as per requirement were assessed.

Hormonal assessment- Serum Total and Free testosterone, SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin), thyroid profile (serum T3, T4, TSH), Serum prolactin, Serum FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) and Serum LH (luteinizing hormone), Fasting insulin, Fasting glucose, 17 OH progesterone (to rule out Non classical CAH) (if indicated) assessed at 8am, USG scan (trans-abdominal).

The free androgen index was calculated as follows: FAI= Total Testosterone (nmol/l) to SHBG (nmol/l) ratio x 100. Insulin resistance was assessed via calculation of the homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR=fasting glucose in µIU/ml × fasting insulin in mg/dl / 405).

Computer Generated randomization was done to assign patients into three groups. In the patients with secondary amenorrhea withdrawal bleeding with (10 mg) Medroxyprogesterone acetate was induced before the commencement of treatment.

All the patients were recommended for lifestyle modification in the form of reduced calorie diet and gentle exercise (150 minutes per week of brisk exercise) as first line non-pharmacological management.

Group I– 21 patients, who received low dose combined OCP (Drospirenone 3 mg + Ethinyl Estradiol 30µg) consumed cyclically starting either from day 3 to day 5 of menstruation x 21 days for 3 months.

Group II- 21 patients, who received (2 g Myo-inositol + 200 mg folic acid) twice daily for 3 months.

Group III– 22 patients, who received Low dose combined OCP (Drospirenone 3 mg + Ethinyl Estradiol 30 µg) consumed cyclically starting from either day 3 to day 5 of menstruation x 21 days for 3 months + (2 g Myo-inositol + 200 mg folic acid) twice daily for 3 months.

Reviewed Evaluation of the patients in terms of Anthropometric, clinical, endocrine and metabolic parameters was done after 3 months of treatment. Outcome variables are-

Clinical response in terms of improvement in clinical symptoms and side effects
Anthropometric : Change in weight, BMI, waist hip ratio
Change in hormonal parameters

Statistical Analysis- The statistical analysis was done using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) Version 21.0 statistical Analysis Software. The values were represented in Number (%) and Mean±SD. Analysis of Variance ANOVA test was used to compare the within group and between group variances amongst the study groups. Analysis of variance of different study groups at a particular time interval revealed the differences amongst them. ANOVA provided “F" ratio, where a higher "F" value depicted a higher inter-group difference. To compare the change in a parameter at two different time intervals paired "t" test was used. Significance level was set at p<0.05, p <0.01 and p <0.001.

Ethical approval- Ethical clearance was approved by Institutional Ethics committee of Research cell, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow ( ref. code: 88^th RCM 11 B- Thesis/P27).

RESULTS- In all three study groups, Table 1 shows that majority of 39 (60.9%) cases were aged 20-24 years and 25 (39.1%) cases aged 14-19 years. The mean age of cases was 20.16+2.16 years. The majority of cases attained menarche at the age >12 to 14 years (71.9%) followed by those reporting it to be <12 years (23.4%) and >14 years (4.7%), respectively. Maximum cases were in normal BMI category (43.8%) followed by those in the overweight (28.1%), obese (25.0%) and underweight (5.1%) category (Table 1). A total of 20 (31.3%) cases had waist circumference >80 cm. The majority of the cases had waist-hip ratio ≥0.85 (54.7%). There were 29 (45.3%) cases with WHR <0.85.

Table 1: Distribution of cases Anthropometric characteristics (n=64)

Parameters	Number	Percentage (%)
BMI (kg/m² ) ^[11]
Underweight (< 18.5)	2	5.1
Normal (18.5- 22.9)	28	43.8
Overweight (23- 24.9)	18	28.1
Obese ( ≥ 25)	16	25.0
Waist Circumference and Waist Hip Ratio ^{[ 11]}
Waist circumference ( >80 cm)	20	31.3
Waist circumference ( <80 cm)	44	68.7
Waist hip ratio (WHR)
< 0.85	29	45.3
≥ 0.85	35	54.7

Signs of hirsutism were seen in 19 (29.7%) cases– among these 1 (1.6%) had mFGS in the range of 1-4 (mild hirsutism), 6 (9.3%) had mFGS in 4–8 range (moderate hirsutism) and 12 (18.8%) had mFGS >8 (severe hirsutism). A total of 13 (20.3%) cases had acne. Signs and symptoms of insulin resistance/ hyperinsulinemia were measured in terms of acanthosis nigricans and obesity in 9.4% and 25% of patients, respectively (Table 2).

Table 2: Distribution of cases according to signs and symptoms of Androgen excess (Hirsutism, Acne) and Insulin Resistance (Acanthosis nigricans and Obesity) (n=64)

Signs and symptoms	Number	Percentage (%)
Hirsutism	19	29.7
*mFGS(1- 4)	1	1.6
mFGS (4- 8)	6	9.3
mFGS( >8)	12	18.8
Acne	13	20.3
Acanthosis nigricans	6	9.4
Non Obese	48	75.0
Obese	16	25.0

*Hirsutism- mFGS - modified Ferriman Gallway score

Table 3 shows the distribution of cases according to menstrual irregularity, except for 1 (1.6%) case, who that presented with a normal menstrual cycle, all the others had an abnormal menstrual cycle. Among menstrual abnormalities, oligomenorrhea was the most common in 32 (50%) followed by secondary amenorrhea in 14 (21.8%), oligomenorrhea with hypomenorrhea in 9 (14.1%) and oligomenorrhea with menorrhagia in 8 (12.5%) cases, respectively.

Table 3: Distribution of cases according to the menstrual irregularity (n=64)

SN	Symptom	Number	Percentage (%)
1.	Normal menstrual cycle	1	1.6
2	Abnormal menstrual cycle	63	98.4
a.	Oligomenorrhea	32	50.0
b.	Secondary Amenorrhea	14	21.8
c.	Oligomenorrhea+ hypomenorrhea	9	14.1
d.	Oligomenorrhea+ menorrhagia	8	12.5

The cases in the three groups had matched age and anthropometric profile at the time of enrolment. The age of cases ranged from 16 to 24 years. The mean age of patients in Groups I, II and III were 20.52±2.25, 20.19±1.99 and 19.77±2.20 years, respectively. On evaluating the data statistically, the difference in mean age of patients was not significant (p=0.521). BMI (p=0.103) waist circumference (p=0.091), hip circumference p=0.901 and WHR (p=0.112) of patients were respectively in Groups I, II and III. On evaluating the data statistically, the difference among groups was not significant.

Table 4: Correlation of the Baseline Anthropometric characteristics of the cases among the three groups

S.No	Characteristic	Group I (n=21) COCs (Drospirenone + Ethinyl Estradiol ) (Mean±SD)	Group II(n=21) Myo-inositol (Mean±SD)	Group III (n=22) Myo-inositol + COCs (Mean±SD)	Statistical significance
1.	Mean Age±SD (Range) in years	20.52±2.25 (17-25)	20.19+1.99 (17-24)	19.77±2.20 (16-24)	F=0. 659; p=0.521
2.	Mean BMI+SD (Range) in kg/m²	22.20+2.82 (17.30-29.80)	23.95+2.59 (18.75-29.60)	23.95+3.56 (19.5-35.67)	F=2.359; p=0.103
3.	Mean WC±SD (Range) in cm	75.17+7.44 (63-84)	77.16+5.91 (65-85)	72.55+6.94 (63-85)	F=2.490; p=0.091
4.	Mean HC+SD (Range) in cm	92.67+2.94 (87-100)	92.88+2.80 (87-99)	92.50+2.47 (89-99)	F=0.196; p=0.901
5.	Mean WHR+SD (Range)	0.81+0.07 (0.70-0.90)	0.83+0.05 (0.71+0.90)	0.79+0.07 (0.68-0.91)	F=2.269; p=0.112

P<0.05 was significant value

Correlation of the Baseline clinical features of PCOS among the three groups, in Table 5 chi squire test (c²)Shows that there was no significant difference found in Menstrual abnormalities, Acne hirsutism, and Acanthosis nigricans among all groups according to type of menstrual complaints (p=0.792).

Table 5: Correlation of the Baseline clinical features of PCOS among the three groups

S.No	Characteristic	GroupI (n=21) COCs		Group II (n=21) Myo-inositol		Group III (n=22) Myo-inositol + COCs		Statistical significance
S.No	Characteristic	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%	c²	‘p’
1.	Menstrual abnormalities
	Normal cycle	0	0	1	4.8	0	0	4.668	0.792
	Oligomenorrhea	9	42.9	12	57.1	11	50.0
	Secondary Amenorrhea	6	28.6	4	19.0	4	18.2
	Oligo+hypomenorrhea	4	19.0	2	9.5	3	13.6
	Oligo+Menorrhagia	2	9.5	2	9.5	4	18.2
2.	Acne	4	19.0	4	19.0	5	22.7	0.121	0.941
3.	Hirsutism (mFG Score)	(n=8)		(n=5)		(n=6)
	1-4	0	0	0	0	1	16.7	2.81	0.590
	4-8	3	37.5	2	40.0	1	16.7
	>8	5	62.5	3	60.0	4	66.7
4.	Acanthosis nigricans	3	14.3	1	4.8	2	9.1	1.124	0.570

P<0.05 was significant value

In the present study, Table 6 shows distribution of cases according to improvement in menstrual abnormality after treatment in PCOS among the three groups after 3 months. Improvement in the menstrual abnormality was found in all three groups. Out of all the cases, improvement in Oligomenorrhea was found to be 88.8% in Group I, 50% in Group II and 90.9% in Group III. Improvement in Secondary amenorrhea was 66.7%, 25% and 75% in Group I, Group II and Group III respectively. Improvement in the case of Oligomenorrhea with Hypomenorrhea was found to be 50% in Group I and II and 66.7% in Group III, while Oligomenorrhea with Menorrhagia improvement rate was 50% in Group I and II and 75% in Group III. Comparatively with combination of Myo-inositol and COCs in Group III, this improvement rate was more 81.4%, followed by Group I -COCs (71.4%) than Group II- Myo-inositol (45%).

Table 6: Distribution of cases according to improvement in menstrual abnormality after treatment

Menstrual Abnormality

Group I

(COCs)

Drospirenone + Ethinyl Estradiol

Group II

(Myoinositol)

Group III

(COCs+ Myoinositol)

Before treatment

After treatment

Improved (%)

Before treatment

After treatment

Improved (%)

Before treatment

After treatment

Improved (%)

Oligomenorrhea

88.8

90.9

Secondary Amenorrhea

66.7

Oligomenorrhea + hypomenorrhea

50.0

66.7

Oligomenorrhea +

Menorrhagia

50.0

Total

71.4

81.4

None of the patients had significant changes in the clinical features i.e. Hirsutism, Acne, Acanthosis nigricans. Changes in all the other anthropometric parameters (WC, HC & WHR) were not observed in all the three treatment groups except for BMI, which was significantly reduced (p= 0.035) in Group II patients who received Myo-inositol. Levels of Serum Prolactin and FSH did not change in all the three treatment groups after 3 months (Table 6).

In this study, Table 7 shows COCs (Drospirenone 3mg + Ethinyl Estradiol 30µg) treatment positively affected biochemical and hormonal profile as evident by reduction in Free Testosterone (p=0.035), FAI (p= 0.043), LH levels (p=0.003) with the increase in SHBG (<0.001) without harming weight and BMI.

Myo-inositol supplementation (2 g per day with 200 µg folic acid for 3 months) ameliorates body weight and BMI (p=0.035) and significantly reduces Insulin resistance. This was evident by the reduction in the levels of Fasting insulin (p=0.032), Fasting Glucose (p=0.024) and HOMA-IR (0.024). LH release was effectively suppressed (p=0.030) by these compounds and consequently the androgen production from the ovary; increased sex hormone binding protein (SHBG) synthesis was also observed though it was not statistically significant along with reduction in the levels of circulating free testosterone ( p=0.027).

In the combined Group III altogether statistically significant change was found in the entire hormonal and biochemical as well as metabolic profile (Table 7). Along with very significant increase in SHBG (p<0.001), there was decline in the Total Testosterone (p<0.001), Free testosterone (p=0.001), FAI (p=0.041) and LH (p=0.002) values, reduction in Fasting Insulin (p=0.045), Fasting Glucose (p=0.050) as well as HOMA-IR (p=0.041).

Table 7: Comparison of changes in various Anthropometric, hormonal and biochemical parameters before and after treatment in the three study groups

SN	Characteristic	Group I (n=21) COCs						Group II (n=21) Myo-inositol					Group III (n=22) Myo-inositol + COCs
		Before treatment		After treatment		‘p’	Before treatment			After treatment		‘p’	Before treatment		After treatment		‘p’
		Mean	SD	Mean	SD	‘p’	Mean		SD	Mean	SD	‘p’	Mean	SD	Mean	SD	‘p’
1.	BMI (kg/m²)	22.20	2.82	22.69	2.62	0.118	23.95		2.59	23.30	2.72	0.035^*	23.95	3.56	23.74	3.44	0.167
2.	WC (cm)	75.17	7.44	75.17	7.44	1.000	77.16		5.91	77.16	5.91	1.000	72.55	6.94	72.55	6.94	1.000
3.	HC (cm)	92.67	2.94	92.67	2.94	1.000	92.88		2.80	92.88	2.80	1.000	92.50	2.47	92.50	2.47	1.000
4.	WHR	0.81	0.07	0.81	0.07	1.000	0.83		0.05	0.83	0.05	1.000	0.79	0.07	0.79	0.07	1.000
5.	Prolactin	12.87	7.14	12.83	6.99	0.776	14.76		8.27	14.71	8.04	0.577	14.82	8.44	14.72	8.27	0.233
6.	TT	1.09	0.56	1.07	0.46	0.786	0.91		0.61	0.91	0.48	1.000	1.05	0.46	0.94	0.42	<0.001^*
7.	FT	1.54	0.58	1.32	0.26	0.035^*	1.38		0.43	1.19	0.17	0.027^*	1.57	0.46	1.22	0.17	0.001^*
8.	SHBG	65.34	10.93	73.43	8.69	<0.001^*	66.38		12.17	66.90	13.72	0.508	65.23	14.26	69.95	12.25	<0.001^*
9.	FAI	1.69	0.81	1.47	0.62	0.043^*	1.38		0.95	1.38	0.75	0.929	1.88	1.87	1.44	0.99	0.041^*
10.	LH	7.90	2.11	7.29	1.88	0.003^*	7.74		3.50	7.20	3.20	0.030^*	8.18	3.02	6.90	2.34	0.002^*
11	FSH	4.90	1.57	4.87	1.47	0.855	4.81		1.40	4.81	1.36	0.968	4.58	1.63	4.58	1.62	0.776^*
12.	F. Ins	12.07	4.40	12.05	3.94	0.916	12.25		4.66	11.49	4.03	0.032^*	14.01	5.27	13.71	4.92	0.045^*
13.	F. Glucose	82.86	5.96	81.70	5.95	0.102	81.38		7.27	79.95	7.30	0.024^*	84.85	8.10	81.32	9.37	0.050^*
14.	HOMA-IR	2.47	0.93	2.43	0.82	0.354	2.45		0.94	2.28	0.86	0.024^*	2.93	1.14	2.73	0.95	0.041^*

Asterisk (*) is significant valve, p > 0.05 Not significant, p <0.05 Significant, p <0.01 Highly significant, p <0.001very highly significant

DISCUSSION- The observation of our study revealed that mean age of girls under study was 20.16±2.14 years. The maximum proportion of women was in the age group of >19-24 years (60.9%) i.e. young adult, followed by 14 to ≤19 years (39.1%) i.e. adolescent period (Table 1). This was similar to the previous study on clinical characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome in Indian women where the mean age of participants was 22.05±4.64 ^[12]. Nair et al.^[13] in their study also found the maximum number of cases were between 21 to 25 years of age. Age at menarche ranged from 11-15 years in our study. Maximum were between 12-14 years (71.9%) with mean age at menarche of 12.23±0.97 years. It was 13.71±1.39 years in the study conducted by Ramanand et al. ^[12]. A previous study showed adolescent girls aged 12-16 years and observed that maximum girls attain menarche between 13–15 years^[13]. Similar to the present study the mean age of menarche was found to be 12.62±1.11 years, in a cross-sectional observational study ^[14]. In healthy adolescents in the first year after menarche half of the cycles were an ovulatory. 70% of the case has extremely high risk of PCOS, if menstrual irregularity occurs two years after menarche ^[12].

In our study, it emphasizes that even nonobese women are also at risk for developing PCOS, 25% of cases were obese, while 75% were nonobese. 43.8% patients under study normal weight (BMI= 18.5–22.9), 28.1% patients were overweight (BMI=23-24.9), 25% were obese (BMI≥25), while 5.1% were underweight (BMI<18.5). Our result was similar to that of the previous study conducted by Kalra et al. ^[7] in which the percentage of obese, overweight and normal BMI in Indian POCS women (n=65) based on ACOG criteria was 15.38%, 44.61%, and 40%, respectively. According to a cross-sectional analysis, PCOS is more prevalent in adolescent and young females, 71.8% were non-obese, 7.5% of cases were overweight, and 20.7% were obese ^[15]. Contrary to that Yildiz et al. ^[16]in their study on the impact of obesity on incidence of PCOS found that the prevalence rates of PCOS in underweight, normal-weight, overweight, and obese women were 8.2, 9.8, 9.9, and 9.0%, respectively and concluded that obesity minimally increases risk of PCOS. A similar result was observed in our study signified that PCOS was neither confined nor prevalent among obese patients, instead, it is very common among normal weight and even in underweight women. WHR (Waist Hip Ratio) ≥0.85% was observed in 54.7% of cases indicating that central obesity can be seen even at low BMI. According to WHR, PCOS patients had divided into two groups using value of WHR of 0.85 as cutoff: into upper body obesity (WHR≥0.85) and lower body obesity (WHR<0.85) ^[17]. In our study, 31.3% of cases had waist circumference >80 cm, while 54.7% of patients had WHR≥0.85 and 45.3% had WHR <0.85 in comparison to the previous study, who found that waist circumference was >88 cm in 44% of the patients and WHR >0.85 was seen in 38% of the patients highlighting that Indians have more central obesity even at low BMI ^[14]. A study showed that high WHR was associated with greater disturbance in reproductive hormones in PCOS and is a simple measurement to identify obese patients, who are at a greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Women with android obesity seem to be more prone to develop menstrual irregularity and infertility ^[17]. After 3 month treatment, there were no changes observed in anthropometric parameters (WC, HC & WHR) in all three treatment groups except for BMI, which was significantly reduced in Group II patients who received Myo-inositol. Levels of Serum Prolactin and FSH did not change in all the three treatment groups after 3 months.

In the present study out of the total, clinical symptom of hyperandrogenism in the form of acne was present in 20.3% and hirsutism was present in 29.7% of cases. Acanthosis nigricans was found in 9.4% of cases. This was comparatively lower than the observed in the previous studies ^[18]quoted that majority of women (80%) show signs of androgen excess and it plays a major role in the pathophysiology of the condition (PCOS) ^[10,17]. Our result was comparable to prospective interventional study, they found 26.7% cases had hirsutism, 20% cases had acne and 9.3% cases had acanthosis ^[19] but in our present study none of the patients had significant changes in hirsutism, Acne, Acanthosis nigricans. OCPs effectively reduce hirsutism and acne in women with PCOS after treatment improvement occur ^[5].

Most of the cases, in our study presented with the abnormal menstrual cycle 98.4%. The menstrual problem in our present study in PCOS ranged from oligomenorrhea to amenorrhea. Oligomenorrhea is a commonest problem; an-ovulation is the pathognomic feature of PCOS and results in irregular menstrual cycles. Therefore, persistent menstrual irregularities (resulting from anovulation) seem to be better predictors compared to biochemical parameters. Oligomenorrhea is one of the diagnostic criteria of PCOS ^[20,21]. This prospective study observed the change in the anthropometric, clinical, biochemical parameters and hormonal levels after treatment with two different drug supplementations, myo-inositol and combined oral contraceptives and the combination of both along with life style modification in each of the three groups.

In our present study, we had this significant observation that combined therapy with both COCs with Myo-inositol in the menstrual abnormality had better improvement rates than COCs and Myo-inositol alone. Though statistically significant improvement in the terms of spontaneous onset of menstrual cycle was observed in all the three study groups but it was more significant in the combined group and least in the Myo-inositol group. Insulin-lowering agents improve ovulation in about half of cases and modestly reduce androgen levels. They are not as effective as COCs in controlling menstrual cyclicity or hirsutism ^[22]. Ozay et al.^[23] found in their study on 106 PCOS women that after three months of treatment, patients receiving COCs showed no menstrual irregularity, whereas the decrease of menstrual irregularity in the group receiving Myo-inositol was from 40 (76.9%) to 8 (15.4%). Minozzi et al. ^[9]in a prospective study comparing the performance of combined contraceptive pill (COCs) in combined effect with Myo-inositol on metabolic, endocrine and clinical parameters in 155 pcos patients, researchers discovered that after 12 months, combined treatment with Myo-inositol and COCs had a significant effect on the clinical symptoms (hirsutism) of PCOS. Recent studies demonstrate the effectiveness of Myo-inositol in the treatment of hirsutism and other cutaneous disorders in young women with PCOS ^[23,24].

In our study, we did not find any significant changes in all the three groups in the anthropometric and clinical manifestations like WC (Waist circumference), WHR (Waist hip ratio), hirsutism, acne and acanthosis nigricans. This may be due to the short duration of our study. Pkhaladze et al. ^[10] in their study on the effect of Myo-inositol and combined oral contraceptives as monotherapy and combined therapy on teenagers affected with PCOS also observed no changes in the anthropometry and clinical symptoms.In the present study, pivotal effect of Myo-inositol was observed in the form of reduction in weight along with BMI in the group of patients who received Myo-inositol. Gerli et al. ^[24] in their randomized, double blind placebo-controlled trial to see the effects of Myo-inositol on ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with PCOS also observed a significant weight loss ( p value <0.01%) in the patients treated with Myo-inositol.

In our study, no change was observed in the weight and BMI in the group of patients, who received combined treatment with Myo-inositol and COCs, this observation was supported by Manozi et al.^[9] in their study who found no change in the BMI in the combined group (Myo-inositol+ COCs). Apparently, this may be due negative effect of COCs being balanced by Myo-inositol ^[10].

In this study, after treatment with Myo-inositol there was no significant reduction in androgens level except for free testosterone (FT), which was reduced significantly. This result is similar to Lali Phakaldze et al.^[10]. However after treatment with Myo-inositol significant reduction in LH level was observed in our study, which is a precondition for antiandrogenic activity, and was also reported by other authors ^[23]. In this group also we did not find any significant change in the levels of FSH.

Pkhaladze et al.^[10] also found increase in weight and BMI after receiving Yarina (COCs containing drospirenone) for 3 months in teenagers affected with PCOS. In contrast in our study, there was no change in the weight and BMI in patients who received COCs. This may be attributed to drospirenone containing pills in which, this effect is less expressed ^[25,26].

A significant change in the metabolic profile was not observed with Drospirenone containing COCs, rather in combination with Myo-inositol improvement was found. The findings of this prospective, open-label research indicated that combining COCs and Myo-inositol is far more successful way for treating the medical symptoms of PCOS (menstrual abnormality) and regulating the endocrine disorders associated with hyperandrogenism than COCs and Myo-inositol alone as single mono-therapy in adolescent and young women affected with PCOS. A significant change in the metabolic profile was not observed with Drospirenone containing COCs, rather in combination with Myo-inositol improvement was found.

In our study, all three treatment groups experienced a change in hormonal profile, with the combined study (COCs with Myo-inositol) participants experiencing a slightly higher decrease in serum androgen concentrations (total testosterone, free testosterone). Pkhaladze et al.^[10] found slight decreased in adrenal androgen production they found significant reduction after combination with Myo-inositol and OCPs. Moreover, unlike COCs alone, the combination of COCs and Myo-inositol was found to be successful on glucose and insulin profile in our research, previously it confirming that COCs therapy can negatively affect insulin resistance and glucose tolerance. COCs therapy's detrimental effects on hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance may be counterbalanced by adding an insulin-sensitizing drug, such as Myo-inositol. One of the limitations of the present study was its small sample size owing to which potential additional effects of treatment on outcome could not be studied properly. Hence, further studies on larger sample size and with longer duration of intervention are recommended.

CONCLUSIONS- Our findings indicate that a regimen of combined oral contraceptives and Myo-inositol may be more efficient than COCs or Myo-inositol alone in regulating biochemical, endocrine, metabolic, and clinical profile in PCOS patients, as well as improving insulin levels and insulin resistance. Hence, as a result, treating PCOS symptoms with a combination of COCs and Myo-inositol may be a more successful long-term treatment option.

CONTRIBUTION OF AUTHORS

Research concept: Prof. Sujata Deo

Research design: Prof. Sujata Deo, Dr. Khushbu Pandey

Supervision: Prof. Sujata Deo and Prof. S.P Jaiswar, Dr. Narendra Deo

Data collection: Dr. Khushbu Pandey

Data analysis and interpretation: Prof. Mohd. Kleem, Dr. Pratibha kumari

Writing article: Dr. Pratibha Kumari

Final approval: Prof. Sujata Deo

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Research Article (Open access)