question about metformin

What is the metformin supposed to do? Is it supposed to help regulate you to ovulate?

Re: question about metformin

I believe that it is tx for diabetes and some women with pcos take it also. I found this-

metformin

Re: question about metformin

Re: question about metformin

Re: question about metformin

Re: question about metformin

Posted by MrsC614

Posted by diggity10

Posted by MrsC614

Posted by diggity10

I believe that it is tx for diabetes and some women with pcos take it also. I found this-

metformin

yes it is a diabetes med, this i know. But what is the purpose of taking it when TTC? is it to regulate insulin in order to keep weight down to ovulate? or does it have nothing to do with insulin, and somehow helps with ovulation?

oh ok. sorry. how about this? I love googling..

Benefits of Metformin (Glucophage)
LOWERING OF INSULIN, TESTOSTERONE, AND GLUCOSE LEVELS. Quite a number of studies indicate Glucophage reduces insulin, testosterone and glucose levels -- which reduces acne, hirsutism, abdominal obesity, amenorrhea and other symptoms. In one study conducted at Virginia Commonwealth University, 24 obese PCOS women were given metformin or placebo. The 11 women who received the metformin experienced a reduction in insulin levels, which slowed the activity of an enzyme in the ovaries that stimulates excess production of testosterone. As a result, testosterone levels also dropped.(3)

Glucophage appears to do the same for non-obese PCOS women, according to a study from the University of Medical Sciences in Poznan, Poland. Thirty nine PCOS women were given Glucophage for 12 weeks. They had improvements in insulin, testosterone, hirsutism and acne. (4)

PREVENTION OR DELAY OF ONSET OF DIABETES. Glucophage may help to prevent diabetes, according to a study at George Washington University.(5) In this study, 3,234 non-diabetics with elevated blood glucose were given metformin, placebo, or lifestyle recommendations. The incidence of diabetes in the metformin group was 31% less than in the placebo group.

RESTORATION OF NORMAL MENSTRUAL CYCLE. A number of studies have shown that menstruation can be restored in many women with PCOS. For example, in a study at Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati, 43 women who were not having periods took Glucophage, and 39 of them resumed normal menses.(6) In another study at Jewish Hospital, 11 teenage girls with PCOS were put on metformin and a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. Ten of the 11 girls resumed regular periods.(7)

IMPROVED CHANCE OF PREGNANCY. A study of 48 women with PCOS and infertility was conducted at the Baylor College of Medicine. They were first given metformin and 19 of them resumed menstruating and showed indications of ovulation. But 10 required clomiphene (a fertility drug) in addition to metformin in order to show evidence of ovulation. Twenty women of the 48 (42%) became pregnant. However, 7 of the 20 miscarried.(8)

REDUCED RISK OF MISCARRIAGE. Another aspect of PCOS-related infertility is the tendency for repeated miscarriages. A study from the Hospital de Clinicas Caracas in Venezuela looked at 65 women who received Glucophage during their pregnancies vs. 31 who did not. The early pregnancy (first trimester) loss rate in the metformin group was 8.8% as compared to a 41.9% loss in the untreated group. Of those women who previously had miscarried, 11.1% of the metformin group miscarried again, while 58.3% of the untreated group again miscarried. (9)

REDUCED RISK OF GESTATIONAL DIABETES. In another study at Jewish Hospital in Cincinatti, gestational diabetes risk was evaluated in two groups of PCOS women. The first group was 33 non-diabletic women who had conceived while taking metformin or took it during their pregnancy. This group was compared to a group of 39 PCOS women who did not take it. Only 3% of the metformin group developed gestational diabetes as compared to 31% in the non-metformin group.(10)

WEIGHT LOSS AND OTHER BENEFITS. Metformin may contribute to weight loss in some diabetics.(11) However, weight loss does not appear to be one of its primary benefits. Glucophage may also be of some value improving success with in vitro fertilization, lowering cholesterol, and improving energy.

oh man, that's perfect!!!!!! thank you so much!!! that's exactly what I wanted to know!!! I now name you the google princess!!!!

Re: question about metformin

It is usually used for those with diabetes however, it's been found to help regulate cycles and help ovulation in those with irregular cycles. I don't *technically* have PCOS but I have VERY irregular cycles. The first time I took Metformin was about 2 years ago when I was trying to get pregnant for the first time. I took 3 pills a day (1500 mg. total) for four months. The fourth month I ovulated on my own and got pregnant with my DD. I just started on Metformin again this past Sept. to TTC #2 and so far I've ovulated and gotten AF on my own so it's working again. Hoping to be pregnant with #2 by the end of the year.

FYI - When you start taking Metformin the RE will usually have you gradually work up to a higher dose because the Metformin can make you queasy and dizzy and all around icky feeling. Whenever I felt any of that it passed quickly. I started at 500mg./day and and every 2-3 days the RE increased my dosage by 500mg. Within a week I was up to 1500mg/day.

Message edited 11/11/2009 4:30:02 PM.

Re: question about metformin

Posted by Hofstra26

It is usually used for those with diabetes however, it's been found to help regulate cycles and help ovulation in those with irregular cycles. I don't *technically* have PCOS but I have VERY irregular cycles. The first time I took Metformin was about 2 years ago when I was trying to get pregnant for the first time. I took 3 pills a day (1500 mg. total) for four months. The fourth month I ovulated on my own and got pregnant with my DD. I just started on Metformin again this past Sept. to TTC #2 and so far I've ovulated and gotten AF on my own so it's working again. Hoping to be pregnant with #2 by the end of the year.

FYI - When you start taking Metformin the RE will usually have you gradually work up to a higher dose because the Metformin can make you queasy and dizzy and all around icky feeling. Whenever I felt any of that it passed quickly. I started at 500mg./day and and every 2-3 days the RE increased my dosage by 500mg. Within a week I was up to 1500mg/day.

Re: question about metformin

Posted by MrsC614

Posted by Hofstra26

It is usually used for those with diabetes however, it's been found to help regulate cycles and help ovulation in those with irregular cycles. I don't *technically* have PCOS but I have VERY irregular cycles. The first time I took Metformin was about 2 years ago when I was trying to get pregnant for the first time. I took 3 pills a day (1500 mg. total) for four months. The fourth month I ovulated on my own and got pregnant with my DD. I just started on Metformin again this past Sept. to TTC #2 and so far I've ovulated and gotten AF on my own so it's working again. Hoping to be pregnant with #2 by the end of the year.

FYI - When you start taking Metformin the RE will usually have you gradually work up to a higher dose because the Metformin can make you queasy and dizzy and all around icky feeling. Whenever I felt any of that it passed quickly. I started at 500mg./day and and every 2-3 days the RE increased my dosage by 500mg. Within a week I was up to 1500mg/day.

thank you so much for your response. I have a feeling that I may have to go this route, we'll see.

Re: question about metformin

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by MrsC614

Posted by Hofstra26

It is usually used for those with diabetes however, it's been found to help regulate cycles and help ovulation in those with irregular cycles. I don't *technically* have PCOS but I have VERY irregular cycles. The first time I took Metformin was about 2 years ago when I was trying to get pregnant for the first time. I took 3 pills a day (1500 mg. total) for four months. The fourth month I ovulated on my own and got pregnant with my DD. I just started on Metformin again this past Sept. to TTC #2 and so far I've ovulated and gotten AF on my own so it's working again. Hoping to be pregnant with #2 by the end of the year.

FYI - When you start taking Metformin the RE will usually have you gradually work up to a higher dose because the Metformin can make you queasy and dizzy and all around icky feeling. Whenever I felt any of that it passed quickly. I started at 500mg./day and and every 2-3 days the RE increased my dosage by 500mg. Within a week I was up to 1500mg/day.

thank you so much for your response. I have a feeling that I may have to go this route, we'll see.

You're welcome! If you have to go that route it's not bad at all and it worked for me! Just always take the pill after a meal........keeps you from feeling icky. Good luck!