Clomid/Metformin/doctors

[2007Millie]

Phone call with doctor later to discuss medication to assist getting pregnant as have PCOS

Not really sure what to ask other than prescribe me something.

What are people's experiences of either clomid or Metformin? Is one better than the other? Should they be in combination?

Thanks

[AMSpoon]

Hello! I'm on Metformin at the moment, it sounds like I'm just a few months further down the road than you, but hopefully this will help.

I was diagnosed with PCOS about 2 years ago, after a year or so of trying to get pregnant, at the same time as realising I wasn't having periods, put on weight massively after coming off the pill, and basically having all the PCOS symptoms. Fast forward to now, I have been on metformin for around 2 months, after being referred to my local fertility centre. (My journey didn't take 2 years to get there...just a lot going on in life so many things got delayed!)

I happened to begin Metformin the same time as going onto a keto diet (because I heard that was good for overweight women with PCOS). One of my key needs was to lose weight to see if that would bring back regular periods. The Metformin combined with the keto diet means I've lost nearly 2 stone in 2 months. I don't know whether the keto diet did most of the work, but Metformin helped, or whether the keto diet kick-started it and now Metformin is helping control the PCOS symptoms, which is helping keep the weight down, but basically something is definitely working!

One big downside to Metformin is that it can cause diarrhea. I also have IBS, so it hasn't helped! If worried, you have to slowly build up to your full dose. Otherwise, there is a slow-release version which you could try if worried.

Hope that helps!

[YouBoggleMyMind]

Your GP will be able to prescribe you Metformin but Clomid will only be able to be prescribed through a fertility clinic.

I'd ask for slow release metformin as it is kinder on your tummy.

Have you had initial tests done for you and your OH?

[2007Millie]

Thanks for the help.

No tests done for other half, but bloods/scans etc done for myself to confirm PCOS along with severely irregular periods.

I didn't realise clomid was only available through a fertility clinic!

[YouBoggleMyMind]

How long have you been trying for? If it's more than a year you can get your GP to refer you to your local fertility clinic and they'll require up to date bloods, pelvic scan etc for you and semen analysis for your OH. They'll be able to offer you clomid then or other treatment options if more appropriate. Clomid is a pretty potent drug and needs monitoring.

[Racoonworld]

I'd discuss what your next options are to see if you can get referred to a fertility clinic, but also see if they can prescribe you metformin in the meantime. I got metformin following a PCOS diagnosis and fell pregnant in my third month of taking it, didn't need to try anything else. It may not work for you but is definitely worth trying whilst waiting for referral and other treatments to start as it is possible!

[2007Millie]

Thanks everyone!

Have got Metformin off Superdrug pharmacy just by saying I had PCOS. Slightly concerning they can prescribe so easily but hey ho.

Spoke to GP who said she had never heard of Metformin for PCOS and so couldn't help me.... useful.

I've read to take 500mg for the first week, then 1000mg for a week, then 1500mg for the remainder, does this sound about right?

[YouBoggleMyMind]

Yes, 1 500mg a day for the first week, with food. It is know for gastro issues so if you need to take longer to build it up, that's no issue. The first time I was on it I could take more than 1000mg.
I requested slow release this time and it's been much kinder to my tummy!!

You could also try myo-inositol, a lot of PCOS women take it. I take myova (on Amazon).

[YouBoggleMyMind]

God I can't type!!

Known*
Couldn't*

[2007Millie]

Oddly @YouBoggleMyMind someone else mentioned myo-inositol so I ordered some the other day and I've just taken my first dose. Got the powdered form so hopefully that helps

[YouBoggleMyMind]

Good luck, hope you see some results. Take a bit of time to build up in your system.

[ApplePie86]

@2007Millie

I've been taking myo-inositol since mid December and it's worked amazingly so far. Had a 45/46/54 day cycle (down from as much as 180 days) and I've just ovulate on day 17 which would give me a 28-30 day cycle this time.

I have had some really strange brown spotting this month for 5 days (in line with ovulation) - not sure if that's good or bad.

I've also been taking cassava root pills which are meant to promote hyperovulation. It might be that that's helping also - I'm really feeling ovulation so might help you too if you're not sure when you ovulate.