Effect of a Commonly Used Antibiotic, Doxycycline, in Women With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

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.

Inclusion criteria

• Women between 18 and 40 years of age.
• History of PCOS with < 8 periods the proceeding year
• Clinical or biochemical evidence of androgen excess
• BMI <40
• Willingness to sign consent for study including participation with collection of blood specimens
• Willingness to discontinue OCP for duration of study period up to 36 weeks

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnancy
• Hypersensitivity to doxycycline or tetracycline
• History of Cushing's syndrome
• History of hyperprolactinemia
• History of congenital adrenal hyperplasia
• Significant hepatic impairment, including serum AST or ALT >1.5 times upper limits of normal.
• Significant renal impairment, GFR <60 ml/min
• Current use of metformin, statins, glucocorticoids, spironolactone and/or anti-estrogens.