Effect of cabergoline and metformin combination therapy in the treatment of infertile women with symptomatic endometrioma: comparison with cabergoline alone

In: International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2025 · vol. 14(7) , pp. 2124–2130 · doi:10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20251957 · W4411679932
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AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-08

This study found that both cabergoline alone and cabergoline with metformin significantly reduced pain and endometrioma size in infertile women, with no statistically significant differences between the groups.

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This randomized controlled trial studied 50 infertile women with clinically and sonologically diagnosed symptomatic endometrioma and dysmenorrhea, comparing cabergoline plus metformin (group A) versus cabergoline alone (group B) over 3 months in a reproductive endocrinology outpatient setting in Bangladesh. Both groups had comparable baseline characteristics, and both showed significant reductions in pain scores and endometrioma size, with slightly greater reductions in the combination group. Although the combination group demonstrated more pronounced endometrioma size reduction (mean difference and effect size reported), between-group differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05) and side effects were mild and similar. The paper relates directly to endometriosis, as it evaluates cabergoline and metformin regimens specifically for symptomatic endometrioma in infertile women with endometriosis.

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Abstract

Background: Endometrioma is a prevalent manifestation of endometriosis and a common cause of infertility in women of reproductive age. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cabergoline alone versus in combination with metformin in infertile women with symptomatic endometrioma. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from July 2022 to June 2023. This study included 50 women with clinically and sonologically diagnosed cases of endometrioma and dysmenorrhea attending the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility outpatient Department. Participants were assigned to two treatment groups: Group A (Cabergoline with metformin) and Group B (Cabergoline alone). Results: Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between the groups. At 3 months, both groups showed significant reductions in pain scores (Group A: 5.38±2.52; Group B: 4.86±1.52) and endometrioma size (Group A: 1.11±0.75 cm; Group B: 0.72±1.10 cm), with slightly higher reductions in Group A. However, the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Endometrioma size reduction was more pronounced in Group A (mean difference: 1.11 cm vs. 0.72 cm; effect size 1.26 vs. 0.75). Side effects were mild and comparable in both groups, with no statistically significant differences. Conclusions: This study showed that both treatment regimens significantly improved pain and reduced endometrioma size, with no significant difference in outcomes between the groups. The combination of cabergoline and metformin may offer a slight advantage in reducing endometrioma size and improving fertility outcomes.
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Background

Endometrioma is a prevalent manifestation of endometriosis and a common cause of infertility in women of reproductive age. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cabergoline alone versus in combination with metformin in infertile women with symptomatic endometrioma.

Methods

This randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from July 2022 to June 2023. This study included 50 women with clinically and sonologically diagnosed cases of endometrioma and dysmenorrhea attending the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility outpatient Department. Participants were assigned to two treatment groups: Group A (Cabergoline with metformin) and Group B (Cabergoline alone).

Results

Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between the groups. At 3 months, both groups showed significant reductions in pain scores (Group A: 5.38±2.52; Group B: 4.86±1.52) and endometrioma size (Group A: 1.11±0.75 cm; Group B: 0.72±1.10 cm), with slightly higher reductions in Group A. However, the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Endometrioma size reduction was more pronounced in Group A (mean difference: 1.11 cm vs. 0.72 cm; effect size 1.26 vs. 0.75). Side effects were mild and comparable in both groups, with no statistically significant differences.

Conclusions

This study showed that both treatment regimens significantly improved pain and reduced endometrioma size, with no significant difference in outcomes between the groups. The combination of cabergoline and metformin may offer a slight advantage in reducing endometrioma size and improving fertility outcomes. Metrics

References

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endometriosisendometriomadysmenorrheainfertility

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