PCOS -metformin/cerazette

[shellmc]

Not sure where else to post this, but know many of you ladies have been on/are on Met for PCOS.

I was at docs today, my letter was back from consultant, who states i start on Metformin for PCOS as my blood results came bk abnormal. High LH levels High Androstendione levels, and Borderline testosterone.
My symptoms are: Acne, Increased hair growth (especially on face), irregular periods and struggling with weight loss, and gaining weight despite excercise and diet!!
So got my prescription for metformin and started today 500mcg once a day for a week then 500mcg twice a day.
She also mentioned contraception to me as i cae off the pill back in april to start having tests done. I said i was on cerazette before, and she said i would be fine on that, as the two meds dont conflict each other.

The worry i have is that, metformin is meant to regulate my periods, but when i was on cerazette my periods stopped or i had months where i would bleed on and off. So how will met help regulate me and help with other symptoms if taking cerazette too??

Akso i have been reading about Metformin and PCOS on the net and read that metformin is only to be used if you are insulin resistant??? i dont know if i am?? Are the tests iv had done enough to show that i do need the metformin??
Sorry to go on, i am very happ that im finally getting somewhere and finally got answears, but dont understand about insulin ect and whether the cerazette is best pill for me.
..............ohh cant take mini pill as i suffered migraines with it.
I would love to have another DC in time but not just yet, so need to know which is best option to take at minute for contraception.

Thanks in Advance

[Northey]

I agree that it seems odd to take metformin alongside the pill, but that's just my instinct.

With the insulin resistance thing, from what I remember of my GP's explanation - the interaction between weight, insulin resistance and polycystic ovaries is known to exist but is not fully understood (ie they can't tell what one thing tips the others off the wrong way first) and although metformin is designed for use against insulin resistance (usually in type 2 diabetics), it is known to be effective against other sides of the triangle I mentioned above.

[shellmc]

Thanks Northey that makes it a bit easier to understand, altho as you say the interaction between them all hasnt been PROPERLY understood.
Im hoping that meformin is going to help me with weight loss and regulating my periods, and in time also help with the excess hair i have.

Is there anyone out there on metformin and birthcontrol pill that has regular peirods each month??

[LadyMaybe]

Hi - did you mean you can only take the minipill rather than can't take minipill? Because cerazette is a minipill, it's a progesterone-only pill. For pcos something like dianette would be better as it contains cyproterone acetate which is an anti-androgen. It comes in a 21 pill pack and you would have a regular withdrawal bleed around day 26-28, when you start the next pack. Metformin can help with regulating hormones but an anti-androgen is more likely to block the action of the androgens that are already acting on your skin and hair.

[shellmc]

Hi ladymaybe ohh think iv got my wires crossed, yeh cerazette is prog only pill aint it, cant think which is the ones i cant take because of migraines, but i know its most of them that you take for 28 days then av a break, to allow break through bleed.
That dianette sounds better as that allows you have have a bleed, but not sure if taking along with metformin will work?? Im confused.
Really dont want the coil and not sure what the crack is with the implant in ya arm. x

[Sophiemooboo]

Metformin has been my wonderdrug, it finally made me feel normal and has been great! It took a few weeks to get used to, remember to take it with your food, otherwise it makes you feel really nauseous! ANd take it regularly, breakfast lunch and dinner, this will make you eat regularly too. To loose weight cut out as much sugar and starch as you can from your diet as this is what metformin will help your body remove. My Dr explained (please correct me if I am wrong as I am not a doctor) but PCOS ladies turn sugar into fat. So by cutting the sugar and taking metformin any sugar gets expelled by metformin as long as you eat as little as possible of it! So Eat as much meat, veg, fruit (avoid grapes melon and mango as these are high in sugar) and LOW GI foods as you want, and avoid processed food, sweets, anything made of white flour, white rice and potato based food. Once you get used to it the weight will drop steadily! It worked for me and I am really grateful as I was piling on the weight by the minute and not managing to shift any of it! Weather it regulated my periods I am not sure as I have LUCKILY been pregnant or trying ever since and been very very blessed.! Good luck! xx

[shellmc]

Thankyou Sophiemooboo its been a great result for you!!
I am trying to cut out the sugery foods and eating more fruit and veg. Been looking up on the internet what Low GI foods are and i am going to try and base my meals using the Low GI if i can.
I am determined to shift the weight and i am hoping that metformin is going to help me do soo. I have felt fine soo far but only taking 1 a day at the minute, so a few more weeks to go as i increase the dose.
I didnt realise Grapes were high in sugar!! I will have to cut these out.
So would jacket potatoes be ok to have or not?
I have been dieting past 2 weeks with regular excercise and still not shifted any weight!!
Congratlations on your pregnancy, thats wonderful news xxxx

[bugsylugs]

think your gp suggested cerazette exactly as you said ie for contraception and nil to do with the pcos. Cerazette is a form of mini pill people often stop having periods with it. Dianette is not licensed as a contraception but works as one but it is a combined oral contraceptive pill. So if you suffer migraines with aura or over 35 it should not be used

[bugsylugs]

forgot to add if your BMI is high you should not take COCP either

[GingerbreadLatte]

Shell-

Jacket spuds are quick high glycaemic so will give you quick rises in blood sugar. Still they are better than mash IMO.

I am on met for PCOS. Like others, I have had good results with it. Took it for 2 yrs, got regular cycles and got preg first try wiht my DD. I never had regular cycles before. FWIW, I was necessarily insulin resistant to any degree- I was an am slim. But I've always had odd blood sugars etc. I feel better when taking the metformin

My experience of PCOS is to avoid any artifical hormones as far as possible as they just screw up my body and stop it doing a natural cycle.

Since you want another DC and have irregular cycles I'd be tempted to go for somthing that wont affect your natural cycles. Like non hormonal coil

PS- i'd recommend increasing your met dose slowly as it can make you feel yuk.... and make you want to stop.

[GingerbreadLatte]

there are some great books on low glycaemic index diets. They will give you a good idea of what to eat and what is bad. You may be suprised at what kind of stuff is bad and good with regards to GI!

[shellmc]

bugsylugs yes it is for contraception, i was just confused as she mentioned the metformin will regulate my periods and get my body bac on track, but i know from being on ceraette pill that it can stop your periods altogether or bleed on and off. So wasnt sure how i would get my periods regulated whilst taking them both.

I am 26 but my BMI is on the up side, need to lose around a stone and half.

Gingerbreadlatte Gosh didnt realise jacket taties were high glycaemic!! But i agree with you they are much better than mash, so which carbs would you suggest? As these are more filling, sweet potatoes would be better i suppose, what about pasta, roast taties in oven, and rice??
So pleased to hear you also had great results with met too, im liking all these positive stories :)
I am having the dose increased slowly started this week on 500mcg 1 a day gotta take 2 a day next week.
I will have to take alook and maybe treat myself to a new book about Low GI.
Thankyou