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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

TTC with PCOS, Metformin, Myo-inositol and Miscarriages

35 replies

mrsalice2022 · 25/01/2023 22:24

Hello all 👋

This is my first post here and I'm hoping for some help from this lovely community please! Sorry in advance for rambling but my head is all over the place at the moment!

I was scanned and diagnosed with PCOS in November as I had gone without a period from March to September last year. The gynaecologist prescribed me with Metformin and for me to continue taking the Myo-inositol that I had already been taking.

As it happened, two weeks after our appointment I discovered that I had fallen pregnant before I had even started taking the Metformin! Sadly it wasn't to be and we lost our baby at 12 weeks earlier this month. This was my second miscarriage as I also lost a baby at 6 weeks a few years ago.

As it has only been 3 weeks since my miscarriage, I haven't had a period yet but I'm wondering whether now is a good time to start taking the Metformin along with the Myo-inositol that I'm already taking? I don't know why I'm hesitating, I just can't decide whether taking the Metformin is a good idea when I'm already taking Myo-inositol (and had managed to conceived by taking this alone) and whether now is a good time to start taking the Metformin, given that it's only 3 weeks since my miscarriage.

The reason that I would be keen to take the Metformin is that I've read that it can significantly help to reduce the chance of miscarriages, which I'm apparently at a higher risk of due to my PCOS, so could be the cause of my two losses. It may also help to bring back my periods which I'm scared won't return as they are so unpredictable, especially when I'm stressed.

Does anyone have any advice on this matter and also what dosage of Metformin and Myo-inositol should be taken when combining the two?!

Thank you so much in advance for reading this and for any advice you might be able to offer me 😊

OP posts:
Shootforthestars · 30/01/2023 06:36

Ladies when you took the myo inositol did tou take any other vitamins along with it? I'm going to order some today

Bluebirdpinkcat · 27/01/2023 18:15

Hi

I’m on myo inositol as have been ttc #3 for nearly 2 years now. I’ve just been given Letrozole for next cycle so hopefully that works.
in the past I’ve had clomid but it never worked for me

Original poster
mrsalice2022 · 27/01/2023 18:10

Thank you all for your messages. My blood tests and scan both confirmed PCOS, as well as the fact that I have had spates of no periods, acne and facial hair (joy of joys!). To those starting out on their PCOS journey, I have noticed a huge difference simply from taking Myo-inositol, which I order through the Natures Best website. The fertility nurse we met with in November actually said that it was likely to have been the Myo-inositol that got me ovulating.

I was prescribed Metformin, starting at 500mg daily and then increasing to 1500mg. But the nurse didn't advise as to what dosage of Myo-inositol is safe to take whilst taking Metformin - I currently take 4g of Myo-inositol per day. Does anyone know the answer to this?

I have been tempted to just stick with the Myo-Inositol as it did seem to help me to ovulate, however I wonder if the Metformin would help to prevent further miscarriages. The fertility nurse didn't discuss miscarriages with us but I understand they are more likely with PCOS. It's a shame that they can't offer more advice on this at the point of a positive pregnancy test, as research seems to suggest that prescribed Progesterone and Baby Aspirin could help.

I have also made a big effort over the last couple of weeks to cut out sugar from my diet and to go for regular walks, especially after meals. Things that I understand can also help with PCOS. As well as some meditation and yoga as I get stressed easily which only makes things worse!

OP posts:
MK85 · 27/01/2023 02:51

@mrsalice2022 it's safe to take both myo and metformin. No interactions between the two have been found thus far and I believe theres been a few studies. I was prescribed 1500mg metformin ( 3 tablets daily ) but found it just too much . The side effects 💩 were unbearable and just never improved. I had to stop and start again at 500mg of metformin daily. That's all i can tolerate and I take about 1000mg myo. It's quite a low dose of all the above. ( most myo tablets recommended 2000mg daily ) but it was effective in giving me my first regular cycles in years. ( I usually have 1 or 2 a year) but had 2 cycles back to back and I got pregnant after so many years trying. Sadly we had an early loss . I'm now trying to take 1000mg daily of metformin again . Dosage varies between women. Some are on 500mg some take upto 3000mg . There is no consensus on a standard dose or duration of metformin but Your consultant should have given you the recommend dosage . I think it depends on severity /bmi ect what dose they advise you to try. What did they advise you to take ?

YorkshireTeaCup · 27/01/2023 02:38

@RainyDaysByTheFire

You should ask for letrozole + metformin instead of clomifene + metformin. Letrozole is a newer drug and is more effective than clomifene with fewer side effects and less chance of multiples. Dd (20months) was conceived on this route and ive just started metformin again ready for TTC #2.

MK85 · 27/01/2023 02:33

@RainyDaysByTheFire you will be most likely prescribed both. The metformin is prescribed since most pcos women are insulin resistant. improving that resistance alone can restore cycles in some women /aid weight loss / lower androgens. Youll likely take it long term. Clomid dosent do anything of those things. Clomids sole purpose is to make you ovulate and is only prescribed for 6 cycles at most. It can't be taken longterm.

ChateauProvence · 26/01/2023 11:54

Hi Ladies, can I join this thread please? Am in the same position TYC with PCOS and I also have endometriosis- I am waiting on my referral to the fertility clinic but the consultant I have seen privately has asked my NHS GP to prescribe clomid. I have also cut out all processed sugar, gluten and dairy as I have read this can help. Would be great if we could share advice.

@mrsalice2022 i am very sorry for your loss xx

RainyDaysByTheFire · 26/01/2023 11:49

Hi ladies, I'd be really interested to hear about your diagnosis journey for PCOS. I'm undergoing testing at the moment but it's all quite new to me. Could you walk me through the different stages you went through?

My scan showed polycystic ovaries but my bloods were all normal. I've had day 21 tests on day 21 and another set of the same today which is CD35 for me. I often have long cycles, 45+ days, so they are referring me to the fertility clinic with the potential for being prescribed something like Clomifene or Metformin.

Do you know what the difference is between the two types of medication and why they would prescribe one over the other?

Thanks 💕

Hathats · 25/01/2023 23:21

Try the pcos protocol in Rebecca Fetts book it starts with the egg. There are some important lifestyle changes she recommends too.

Shootforthestars · 25/01/2023 22:34

Hi @mrsalice2022 sorry for your loss. I've been on metformin before as I had insulin resistant PCOS. It made a huge difference to regulating my cycle and I managed to lose 2 stone while taking it. I did fall pregnant while on it but miscarried they think that miscarriage was due to a blood clot in the womb. Sorry for TMI but The metformin can give you quite an upset tummy certain foods did not agree with me and I just had to avoid them I'm sure I started on 1 tablet per day then up it to 2 after 2 weeks. Once my periods were regular they said I no longer needed it. I have managed to have "normal" cycle length since apart from the very odd long one .I didn't take it with anything else except a multi vitamin.

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