Metformin

[Hearts92]

Hi all

I’ve recently been diagnosed with PCOS and have been prescribed Metformin. I was just wondering if anyone that has taken this before would recommend Metformin and whether you developed any adverse side affects?

Thank you.

[Chloe11111]

Hi, if been on metformin for years now. At first you can have a bad stomach needing to go toilet but after a couple of days this goes but everyone is different and you might not get this.

[Hearts92 in reply to Chloe11111]

Thank you. Were you prescribed this for PCOS? I was told it would regulate my periods but it seems to primarily be a drug for diabetes.

[Chloe11111 in reply to Hearts92]

I was prescribed it for my pcos yes, but your right it is a diabetic drug. Pcos can make you insulin resistance which the metformin helps with or something. It never regulated my periods, but the fertility clinic told me to continue taking them as it does help.

[Melissa721 in reply to Hearts92]

Hi hun. I was diagnosed with pcos 2 years ago and since then my doctor has prescribed me with Medroxyprogesterone (5mg tablets 2/day for 14 days) to help regulate my periods. This was my option as I was concerned about not getting pregnant and this is what the doctor recommended. Maybe see if your doctor can give these to you as I was not informed of the medication you've mentioned here.

[Hearts92 in reply to Melissa721]

Hey, thank you for letting me know. I haven’t actually heard of this medication but will ask about it. How are you finding it? A big concern of mine is fertility so I’m not sure if metformin is the right medication to take.

[Hols969]

There are differing opinions on metformin, you should only be given it if you are insulin resistant which not all pcos ladies are as it is primarily a diabetes drug and not licenced in the UK for pcos. For the ladies that are IR it can help hugely.

It can give you a terrible upset tum so stay by the loo!

[Hearts92 in reply to Hols969]

Thank you. I did hear it can upset your stomach and give you a lack of appetite. I haven’t been able to consult another doctor about Metformin yet but I was told to stop taking it immediately if I got any bad side effects. Thanks for your help.

[Missy100]

Hi,

I was prescribed Metformin for weight management in connection with PCOS. While it is primarily prescribed to diabetics (where this is the appropriate treatment for them) it also has a history of being prescribed to sufferers of PCOS to help manage their weight.

However, some people tolerate the medication better than others. Some have an upset tummy and diarrhea for a short period while their body adjusts to the medication. Others are unable to tolerate it. I was started on a low dose but this was increased over time to reach a dose that worked as I tended. I was unable to tolerate it. I went through 6 months of not being able to be more than a few feet from a toilet to ensure I could make it in time. I was extremely sick with diarrhea the entire time, and I am not talking about a little bit. It was like having the diarrhea portion of a bad stomach bug constantly. Eventually I had to accept that my body was not going to grow accustomed to the medication and my family doctor at the time supported this decision.

This said, some individuals go through an initial period where they are sick and then are absolutely fine afterwards without the adverse side effects remaining. It is definitely worth trying but I would urge you to pay attention to your body and if it doesn't start to ease up on the symptoms within a few weeks not to continue to torture yourself like I did. I would rather be overweight than chained to a toilet because I am so sick I am scared of soiling myself 24/7.

[Hearts92 in reply to Missy100]

Hey,

Thank you for your advice.

Sorry to hear that you didn’t get on well with Metformin. Have you been prescribed another medication which may help?

[Missy100 in reply to Hearts92]

No, I was not offered any alternative medication. I was referred to a weight loss management team which recommended a very strict, controlled diet complimented by a heavy exercise regime (2 hours a day, 6 days a week), which could not be met and maintained due barriers related to non- PCOS medical conditions. The diet was not specific to PCOS but was in line with what someone preparing for a gastric by pass would be on - to be clear, I was not preparing for surgery.

[Stingy1]

Hi, my daughter takes metformin slow release, it's meant to be gentler on stomach. It gave her diarrhoea at first but it settled.

She has lost over two stone in weight combined with healthier eating & exercise.

Wishing you well

[Hearts92 in reply to Stingy1]

Hi,

That’s good news, thank you. Has metformin regulated her periods? I’m still waiting to take it. X

[Stingy1 in reply to Hearts92]

Hi, my daughters periods are always regular, they are very heavy & extremely painful though. Her weight loss has slowed but she's now lost over two & a half stones. I hope metformin will be a positive experience for you 😊

[Hearts92 in reply to Stingy1]

Ah that’s good news! Thank you so much. Take care x

[Beany123]

I use this for pcos. I find it definitely helps with my symptoms- the excess hair doesn’t grow as fast, my skin is slightly clearer and I don’t gain weight as quickly. It is not a magic cure but if you are eating healthily and exercising it will help your efforts. I also have a Tria laser which I am using to get rid of excess hair! I think metformin is good as part of an overall toolkit 👍🏻

[Hearts92 in reply to Beany123]

Ah that’s good to know! Thank you. Did you suffer from any adverse side effects to begin with?

[Beany123 in reply to Hearts92]

A tiny bit of nausea and stomach bloated- what’s new though ? 😂 but apart from that nothing. I am determined to lose weight so I’m taking it religiously with morning and evening meals. Let us know how you get on!

[sweetchild1989]

I know this post was months ago.... but i have been diagnosed with pcos and i have not been given anything for it... so can I buy this over counter or do I get it from gp x

[Hearts92]

This was recommended by a doctor so I think you’ll need to have a prescription request for it. I’d ask your doctor what’s best as there appears to be different medication to take for PCOS😊

[Biddy007]

Hi

I am insulin resistance but not a diabetic I also have polycystic ovaries. 18 years ago a fertility specialist recommended that I take metformin as the preamble of taking clomid in order to conceive at the age of 36. I fell pregnant just on metformin and went on to have a healthy baby girl 9 pounds. I also took metformin to conceive my second child but had to also no combine it with clomid. Healthy baby girl 10 pounds.

My husband and I decided that we would stop at two children and threw away fertility tablets. I went on to conceive my third child naturally at the age of 41 healthy baby girl 11 pounds.

I didn't have any side effects with metformin and took it up to the first trimester. I was told that if you have polycystic ovaries you are insulin resistant and this somehow stops you from conceiving.

good luck

[Hearts92 in reply to Biddy007]

Ah thank you for your positive post! It’s really lovely to hear that people have had successful stories when it comes to PSOC and fertility!

I still haven’t taken the metformin yet but after having a very short and light period I think I will start the tablets to regulate my cycle. A big worry of mine is not being able to conceive but hopefully the metformin will assist!

Thank you!

[Biddy007]

Also be mindful if you have a negative blood group. You may have had a miscarriage and not realised or being pregnant and not gone through to full term. If the baby has a positive blood group your body will will terminate the pregnancy unless you have an injection after your first pregnancy to stop the antibodies building up in your body. If you carry a baby with negative plant you don't have to have this procedure.