Metformin and charting?

[pipistrello]

Does Metformin make temping unreliable? I have a vague idea it buggers up OPKs, but what about temperature? Thanks.

I have been temping since May now and taking Metformin since April, and heard that never the twain shall meet on a few threads here, but decided to give it a go anyway, mainly because I went onto www.fertilityfriend.com and saw there were loads of people temping on there who take it.

I have noticed my temps have been a bit up and down at times, but every cycle apart from one there has been a definite overall temp shift upwards 10 days before AF, and then it's dropped again just before AF has arrived. The temp rise has correlated with EWCM (Egg white cervical mucus), so I'm pretty sure it's working for me.

I'd say give it a go and see if it works for you. If it doesn't you haven't lost anything.

If you're taking Metformin because PCOS has been diagnosed I would avoid temp charting as it is unreliable in these particular circumstances. PCOS can really mess up temp charting as it can give a chart akin to the Rocky Mountains. Also you can have a temp rise in the second half of the cycle when an egg has not been shed.

I take Metformin for type 2 diabetes not PCOS and i started charting last month, it seems to be working fine. I got a positive opk and within two days my temps had gone up and stayed up until two days ago (got AF today) so i seem to be ok charting at the moment in tandem with taking Metformin. Good luck.

I have just stumbled across this thread and am a little confused. I have PCOS, diagnosed after a yr of no periods, then, was offered Clomid 6 months later but managed to conceive without it. Anyway, have had real problems breast feeding and found out that there was a link between PCOS and BF and read papers that said Metformin would help. My GP said no and said that Metformin was just for diabetes.
Are some of you being prescribed Metformin for PCOS. If so can you tell me how/ where abouts in the country you are/ how it helps?
I have once again lost periods/ ovulation and am desperately trying to lose weight - something which i find virtually impossible. Any info?

Tinky, I am in Berkshire and was offered it straight after being diagnosed with PCOS last month and because I am ttc. If I hadn't been ttc it wouldn't have been offered and she would have recommended the pill or some other form of progesterone contraception.

The doctor said that the reasons why it has an effect on PCOS are not well researched, but that it often acts to regulate menstruation and make it more frequent. That then either also brings ovulation along with it, or at least gives a shorter and more predictable cycle in which to do the FH/LSH test things for ovulation. Though someone else might be better informed about that.

Hi Tinky, Metformin is only regsitered in this country for treating diabetes, but it's positive effect on PCOS symptoms is well-documented, and many GPs and specialists will prescribe it for this reason.

I was offered it when I was first diagnosed with PCOS in 2007 by my consultant, even though I was not trying to conceive. I had a child in 2008 (although I wasn't ttc!!!) and went to my GP in April and asked for Metformin as the symptoms started up again after stopping b'feeding.

I think you should either go to a different Gp for a second opinion, or ask to be referred to a gynae specialist. Since I have been taking it I have lost a bit of weight, my periods are more regular and I have OVd every cycle except one since April.

Good luck

tinky, definitely ask for a second opinion, metformin for PCOS has pretty much become the norm. But I haven't heard about it helping breastfeeding: interesting!

Re: the op - that's interesting; because I've been temping successfully until taking metformin, when suddenly the temps have gone all over the place (and I have ovulated, according to PMT symptoms anyway). But last time I took it, I didn't have any probs - so maybe it just buggers things up at first (hopefully!)

Thank you so much. I'm definately going to go and ask for a second opinion.