PCOS help needed

Deffo go to your GP lovely. I have PCOS and they gave me metformin after 5 months of trying. I've lost about a stone in weight as well as taking pregnacare concieve. Had my first period in over a year last week and now getting positives on ovulation kits so have everything crossed this month!

Yes @Serz88 I'm on metformin and I have pcos. My doctor prescribed it for me. Even if you have regular cycles it doesn't mean your ovulating every month. Metformin can help you to ovulate.

@moscowmule that’s interesting about the scanning. I didn’t have (and wasn’t offered!) scanning while on clomid - just a blood test to check for ov once per cycle. I would def have gone for scanning, had it been offered (the blood test if you don’t ov at the same time each month is a bit useless).

If you are taking Metformin you should also consider taking B12...

www.healthline.com/health-news/check-your-vitamin-b12-levels-if-you-take-metformin

Is metformin recommended for people with PCOS who have regular cycles?

Following this thread with interest. Here's my story (sorry for long message!)

Im early-mid 30s, diagnosed with Pre-PCOS 2.5 years ago after inconsistent periods since early 20s. Was referred by a new GP to endocrinology unit who finally made PCOS diagnosis.

First year, tried diet and weightloss (on average i go between size 14-16). Had some success but not enough to regulate periods.

As i was getting married and planning on TTC, started taking metformin (500mg for 3 months, then at next review upped to 1000mg) a year ago. Consultant told me can take 6months-1year to take effect. Started having regular periods for the first time in 5 years 🥳🥳🥳

Started TTC last November. Referred to reproductive medicine team for clomid. Whilst waiting for referral (trust in London) started using OPK alongside hospital blood tests to check for ovulation. Confirmed ovulation took place in Jan only and we weren't lucky that month.

Agreed with consultant to start clomid in April. Now all on hold as consultant strongly advised not to take without follicular tracking, which cant be done during covid outbreak. Also, you can only take clomid for a certain number of months in a row without a break. We want to absolutely maximise our chances and it seems a waste to take without the associated scanning when it would be guesswork and then we would have to wait before we could go for another round. So currently very frustratingly waiting for fertility services to reopen.

To OP, my experience with endo unit at my local hospital has been excellent. Really supportive, willing to work with me and life timelines (eg. Postponing starting metformin until after my wedding in case of bad stomach side effects etc). Despite the frustration of now having to wait for clomid, this wasnt their fault.

I would strongly recommend trying to be referred to specialist unit rather than going through GP if you can be.

Ive got PCOS I didn't ditch carbs just switched to brown pasta and rice don't have much sugar and not a massive pizza fan anyway! I am unmedicated, have regular periods (though are 6 weekly) and have been pregnant 4 times in 5 years and when trying the longest we've tried for is 5 months - I lost 2 stone during this time by eating smaller portions and switching to brown pasta and rice if you have these they're more filling so you don't need as much either! Xx

I have pcos, like you was diagnosed young and more or less forgot about it. We tried for a while, but as I barely ever had periods knew it was unlikely to happen naturally. Ended up getting a referral to a gynaecologist via nhs and getting clomid and metformin (though if anything I’m a bit light and my insulin levels are fine). Worked on 3rd cycle! We did also see a private clinic, who tbh were quite negative and keen to refer us ASAP for ivf. Pcos is frustrating and it’ makes it a long slow road - but it’s possible! I’d see your gp sooner than later, as I imagine wait lists will be even longer than usual after all this is over.

It's actually counterproductive to have sex every day. Male sperm needs two to three days for the count to replenish enough for optimal motility and viability of the sperm

True.

BTW, I also fell pregnant thanks to Clomid being massively irregular, but as far as I know it has never been sold over the counter, that’s why I suggested you push to see a consultant who can check for other problems and prescribe the best option.

2periods a year. Clomid second cycle fell pregnant, lost that baby, but stuck with clomid pregnant two months later that time had a gorgeous baby.

It's actually counterproductive to have sex every day. Male sperm needs two to three days for the count to replenish enough for optimal motility and viability of the sperm

I was very similar to you- average weight but diagnosed with polycystic ovaries and two or three periods a year. I took a combination of Agnus castus herb and dong quai Chinese herb and this regulated my cycle and helped me conceive. After I gave birth and stopped BF my cycles regulated to monthly (never had that before) and I conceived my second child quickly and unexpectedly. Dong quai is harder to get these days but you could ask in a Chinese medicine place. Good luck!

I also have PCOS, tried for 12 months with my first then doctor put me on Clomid and I fell pregnant second cycle on it.

This time for my second I was on clomid straight away as well as metformin, took 5 months to fall pregnant, had an early miscarriage, 3 months after that fell again but had another early miscarriage, found out after that that I have a MTHFR gene mutation which affects how your body processes synthetic forms of folic acid so I cut all synthetic folic acid out of my diet, take the proper folate supplements and also an EPA/DHA supplement and n-acetylcysteine, fell pregnant 3 months later and now 12.5 weeks.

I’ve also been on progesterone since I got my positive test because low levels can contribute to miscarriages.

Hope this helps and hope you fall pregnant quickly

Honestly OP, do not want to be mean, but with 2 periods a year and an egg only viable to be fertilised for 12 - 24 hours after ovulation, you would need to have sex everyday not to miss up on your next fertile day.

You need to bring your cycle to be more regular and predictable. Take all the stuff you bought but push for an appointment with the gynaecologist as well. 🙂

Hi OP,

I've got PCOS, diagnosed about 6 months ago. Been trying to conceive for 2 years with a MC in between. I was put on metformin but had to come off it and wasn't given correct dosage etc... but I've started it again yesterday, 500mg a day for a week then onto double that a day after. I'm crossing my fingers it works! Also I've started Myo inositol today so I'm going to see if that makes a difference. I bought mine just from an online vitamin store, it was reasonably priced so can't hurt!

Giving this a go then thinking of going private if my doctor won't prescribe clomid.

Crossing my fingers for you to conceive soon xx

My first baby was conceived after taking metformin for 2 months whilst continuing with all the other health targets. This was after 2 yrs of TTC. I had a BFP the day I received my letter for the IVF clinic

Tried again 3 years later but for 2 years nothing happened until I had an ectopic pregnancy which resulted in surgery and the loss of my left
Fallopian tube.

A year later another miscarriage.

And then finally, nearly 8 years after the birth of my son, my daughter was born. After giving up trying and despite having PCOS/only 1 remaining tube, I fell pregnant unexpectedly. I'd been told it wasn't going to happen and that due to my hormone levels being so high I was not eligible for help from any clinics etc.

I took myo inositol a while before giving up ttc for the second time but other than that I wasn't in the best of health (had started smoking again and put on LOTS of weight) due to depression from the miscarriages.

Unfortunately had gestational diabetes during this pregnancy but managed that with meds and diet.

As an aside and something I wish I knew about when ttc is the keto diet which I have followed for the last 10 months to manage my hormones/weight/insulin resistance. A few ladies in the group with PCOS have fallen pregnant since being keto (at least 3 that I can recall) and within a matter of months.

I hope you get your BFP soon

Hi. I'm constantly on metformin. It is used more for control your cycles then ovulating. I went on clomid with metformin and I'm soon to be on letrozole along with metformin. Two things though. The first while you use metformin its gonna upset your stomach alot . You just need to stick with it. And watch what you eat with it. I find alot of sugar and and my stomach is in bits. Secondly do not take clomid u less you are under the supervision of your gp. You need to have follicle scans done to make sure it's working and that your ovaries are not over stimulated. Unless you want to end up like octomom

@2007Millie - your NHS doctor should be able to refer you directly to private gynaecologist if you are happy to go that route (or, if you have a private GP for your dianette, she can refer you directly to a gynaecologist or fertility specialist). For Clomid, you DO need specialist care, not a GP so I'd go straight there. If your NHS or private GP is willing to give you metformin, you can always start that before you meet with the specialist - as long as you have records etc, that is fine. They may want to do a few additional tests, but certainly mine was quite happy to accept the previously done confirmation of PCOS.