Metformin for PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome

I did take it and had tummy issues the first time I took it. Then I was prescribed it again by another doctor. She started me on it gradually. I think I took 500 mg. for 2 weeks then 1000 mg for 2 weeks and then the full 1500 mg. I had no trouble doing it that way. This doctor told me the first doctor should have done it this way also. She was suprised he didn't. So, if you do take it suggest this if the doc doesn't already. Good luck!

~S.

I was diagnosed in 1998 with PCOS and put on Metformin at that time. The Dr. said there was a 50/50 shot that it would help me lose weight. He said that women with PCOS are constantly running into a brick wall when it comes to losing weight, it is harder for us. Another purpose is to bring back your menstrual cycle if you don't currently have one. I went years without one, so they were trying to find a way to bring it back. However, metformin didn't work for me, so they ended up putting me on hormone after hormone to keep my cycles around. My advice is to take the metformin with food at dinner time. I didn't have any probelems with it as long as I didn't take it on an empty stomach. Good Luck and I hope it works out for you!

I took this for the same thing. I ended up with diarrhea from it, but did okay if I only took it once a day. It didn't seem to really help with the PCOS, but everyone is different...

I used this. For PCOS, (as my doctor explained) right now your ovaries have a sugary coating over it like an M&M. The metformin should help your body use it's insulin right so this sugar coating goes away and you can ovulate. I had the diareah side affect. For me, it mostly hit in certain situations....it wasn't an all day type. I just learned to get to the bathroom when I first felt the urge and then I was OK for a while.

One of the symptoms is PCOS causes our bodies not to process insulin properly. I too have heard of this being prescribed to diabetics, but it's not only for diabetics. I've been on Metformin for years. It has not made drastic changes for me, however my weight has maintained. I have not been able to become pregnant, but my cysts all went away. My doctor is not claiming that's due to the Metformin, that it sometimes just happens. But for whatever reason, I am grateful.

I take one in the morning and two at night. For a while I was on 2 & 2 but that was too much for my system. The diarrhea comes on quick and strong so be near a bathroom until you know how your body will respond. If it doesn't work, then slowly increase doses. There is also a warning about alcohol and Metformin, so be honest with how much you drink. The main reason is that Metformin causes dehydration (so increase your daily water intake), but if you're drinking alcohol, but sure to have one drink, then one glass of water, then another drink. Like that. You can also ask your pharmasist about alcohol & Metformin.

Good Luck!
W.

Hello K.:

I was placed on metformin for PCOS a little over two years ago. It was not a fun experience, but it did seem to help.
For me it was a slow increase on the medicine. I started with 1/2 a pill and increase the amount by 1/2 every 2 weeks or so. It all depended on how my body was adjusting. I had nausa, upset stomach, mild cramping, and loose bowel movements. Once the side effects calmed down I would them increase the dose.
I found that while taking the medicine I no longer became tired in the afternoon, craved sweets in the early evening, my moods tended to me more even, and I was finally starting to lose weight. The other positive side effect was that I ended up getting pregnant.
Good luck with the medicine.

I also have PCOS and was infertile until my doctor prescribed Metformin for me. We'd tried for nearly 6 years. I took it for about a month or so and became pregnant. It was prescribed to me to take one pill a day for a week, then 2 pills a day for a week, and then finally 3 pills a day for a week. This builds some tolerance in your system and keeps the side effects at bay. I took it again when I was breastfeeding because I was literally CRAVING sugar and couldn't get enough of it and when I did my research found that the Metformin helped take care of that too, and it did. I'm a little lazy with taking pills and went off them again when I weaned my daughter and then starting taking them again when we decided to try conceiving again.

Each of the three times I started them, I had a sudden bowel movement about 3 hours after taking the first pill. After that, I really didn't have any side effects. So, now wanting to start them again so that I can hopefully get pregnant, I will start my first pill on a day that I don't have to worry about where I am when it hits me.

I look at Metformin as my miracle pill to getting pregnant and don't mind the side effects. It also saved me from gaining another 20 pounds while I breastfed.

It will also help you curb your sweet tooth even if you aren't breastfeeding. It is helping your body use the insulin correctly.

Good luck. Just give it a try over a weekend you don't really have any plans. It really isn't that bad (or at least it wasn't for me).

i've never heard of this medication being used for pcos. it is for diabetes. make sure that is what it's called and watch so your blood sugar doesn't get too low while on it if it is. see if any changes in diet can help your pcos too.

S. m

Hi K.! I want on Metformin to get pregnant. I too have PCOS and it worked for me within about 6 weeks. As for an upset stomach, I was advised to ease into it to help my body get used to such a high dosage. However, the diarrhea only lasted for a short time until my body was used to it. I know everyone is different so I'm hoping you have the same experience.
I've also had luck with herbs. Over time I got sick of taking synthetic drugs and wanted to try something natural to help with my pcos. I got pregnant with the herbs as well and felt a lot healthier.
My advice would be to try it and if it's too much for your system to handle, then take it from there. Good luck-again!

I took the Metformin for the last three of my pregnancies and have been successful so far, I also did have the diarrhea side affect at first until I was at full strength. I had to gradually increase the dose...1 pill for a week, 2 pills for a week and then 3 pills for a week. I don't find that it curves my sweet tooth any, but it does work different on everyone. I have lost about 10 pounds since being on it but I have also have gestational diabetes with 2 out of my 3 pregnancies so far, we are expecting #4 so I'll have to see waht happens there.
For the PCOS it just controls and uses the little insulin that your body has already, makes your cycles more normal and keeps you blood sugars in check. Also if you problem with cysts it diminshs the side effects from them, if you have very painful periods, cramping etc, this should help with that also.
I have had good luck with being on it, and know I heard that they are starting to use it more in pregnant women in the last trimester, instead of the insulin.
Good Luck..

I was perscribed Metformin for another reason...fibroids...(Gyno said that "It tells the uterus to behave" "more normally") hahahaha TIMING IS THE KEY! take it on schedule.
I have gotten a bit more emotional my breasts hurt for a couple days at a certain point in my 'female cyle',and I fart like a truck driver for a few days in my 'female cyle' however my uterus has been well , behaved...
The worst for me was a 15 pound weight gain. At my age that can be hard to take off again...of course speaking of age all my side effects and symptoms could just be mental pause...LOL good luck

I started taking this last April when I was diagnosed with PCOS. Like the others have said it just regulates your insulin intake, and helps you process food more like normal people. It can also help you ovulate, and lose weight. For me I started a low glycemic index diet, and when I wanted to get pregnant, they had me wait 6 months before we started clomid.

I never had any of the side effects listed above. I lost 50 pounds, and got pregnant in October, but that was after they put me on Clomid.

The biggest thing I've learned about infertility is everyone's body responds SO differently to medications, and treatments. Don't let what everyone else scares you. :) I can't wait to start the metformin again either, I am eating sugar like a fiend. :) It's really a good thing!

When I took Metformin to help me get pregnant with my first son, it made me a little nauseous. The good thing about that was it helped me loose about 15 lbs or so. Then I got pregnant. Most docs say that if you gradually up your dose, the side effects are better. If you go from 1 to 2 pills per day and feel sick, go to 1 1/2. Easing in is the key.