We're already prescribed medications for diabetes and high blood pressure. Now a new study shows that Simvastatin, or Zocor, a statin used in treatment of high cholesterol, may help women with PCOS.

According to the small study, "statins decrease proliferation and steroidogenesis of ovarian theca-interstitial cells.... We propose that statins may be used in women with PCOS to reduce hyperandrogenism and cardiovascular risks."

Note that the study did not test women on just Simvastatin, but the statin along with oral contraceptives. Still, the results in the group with Simvastatin and OCPs were better than those with only OCPs.

Zocor should not be taken while pregnant or trying to become pregnant. So if you're TTC, it leaves you in the same boat as Aladactone.

Study Highlights

• Subjects were 48 women with PCOS, defined by the presence of 2 or more of the following: oligovulation or anovulation, clinical and/or chemical hyperandrogenism, or polycystic ovaries by ultrasound.
• Exclusion criteria included congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing's syndrome, androgen-secreting tumors, thyroid disease, hyperprolactinemia, and diabetes mellitus and use of OCPs, steroid hormones, or any treatment affecting ovarian function, insulin sensitivity, or lipid profile in the previous 3 months.
• 94% (45/48) of women had hyperandrogenism and/or hyperandrogenemia (total testosterone level of at least 0.6 ng/mL).
• 75% (36/48) of women had oligomenorrhea (up to 8 spontaneous menses per year).
• 24 women were assigned to 12 weeks of statin plus OCP (20 mg daily of simvastatin plus 20 μg of ethinyl estradiol and 150 μg of desogestrel) then 12 weeks of OCP alone, 24 women were assigned to 12 weeks of OCP alone then 12 weeks of statin plus OCP, and 3 were lost to follow-up.
• Mean age for both groups was 24 years.
• Primary outcome measure of total testosterone level significantly decreased more after statin plus OCP vs OCP alone (38% vs 26% decrease; P < .004).
• Free testosterone levels significantly decreased more after statin plus OCP vs OCP alone (58% vs 35% decrease; P = .006).
• Hirsutism significantly decreased more after statin plus OCP vs OCP alone (8.1% vs 4.7%; P = .02).
• Luteinizing hormone level significantly decreased more after statin plus OCP vs OCP alone (difference, -1.55; P = .002).
• Luteinizing hormone:follicle-stimulating hormone ratio significantly decreased more after statin plus OCP vs OCP alone (difference, -0.19; P = .01).
• Other secondary endocrine measures showed no significant difference between treatments.
  • Follicle-stimulating hormone level increased from baseline after OCP alone, but was not significantly different after statin plus OCP.
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) decreased from baseline after both treatments.
  • Prolactin levels did not change from baseline after both treatments.
  • Fasting glucose and glucose area under the curve (AUC) increased from baseline from 4% to 8%.
  • Insulin sensitivity index, derived from 2-hour glucose tolerance test results, showed 22% decrease after statin plus OCP and 15% decrease after OCP alone.
  • Fasting insulin increased from baseline for both statin plus OCP (11%) and OCP alone (9%).
  • Insulin AUC increased from baseline for statin plus OCP (18%) and OCP alone (31%).
• Total cholesterol decreased by 7.5% after statin plus OCP and increased by 5% after OCP alone (difference, -24.0; P < .001).
• Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level decreased by 20% after statin plus OCP vs no effect after OCP alone (difference, -22.9, P < .001).
• Triglyceride levels were not changed by statin plus OCP but increased 20% after OCP alone (difference, -17.3; P = .003).
• High-density lipoprotein cholesterol level increased after each treatment but showed no difference between treatments.
• High-sensitivity C-reactive protein, a marker of systemic inflammation, was significantly decreased by 45% after statin plus OCP and increased by 6% after OCP alone (P = .006).
• Soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, a marker of endothelial activation that correlates with atherosclerosis, significantly decreased more after statin plus OCP vs OCP alone (18% vs 10%; P = .01).
• Body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio did not change significantly from baseline or between treatments.
• No significant adverse effects were reported.
• Liver function tests were normal at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks.