Metformin

[czycoup]

I was diagnosed years ago with PCOS and prescribed metformin. Within 3 weeks of taking it I had my first period in 18 months. This would mean I ovulated after a week.

I stopped taking it cos it made me so ill and I wasn't trying to get pregnant. The consultant said as long as I had 3/4 periods a year it was ok.

Now I'm trying to get pregnant and I'm not ovulating. I know I do ovulate maybe 3 times a year and my child is proof of that (complete fluke I ovulated the day after we started trying).

I've had 3 MC. 2 of which I ovulated on my own and one where the doctor (not my usual one) prescribed metformin. I ovulated after a week of taking it and the MC was nothing to do with PCOS (we had genetic testing).

After the last MC months ago I asked my usual doctor about taking metformin again. She said they don't prescribe metformin for PCOS any more but before she would consider me taking it again she wanted me to see the recurrent miscarriage clinic and didn't want me taking it incase it skewed the results.

The RMC will not see me for a few months as they are so busy. Given the fact we have a child and the last MC was a one off occurrence (nothing to do with DH or I) it feels like it would be a bit pointless and a waste of an appointment seeing them.

It's been months since I've had the MC and still no ovulation in sight. I still have some metformin in the cupboard (since I stopped taking it once I ovulated as it served it's purpose). If you were I, would you take the metformin just to ovulate? I know if it doesn't work or I run out I can't go back to the docs and ask for more but I'm pushing 40 and I can't wait around for an ovulation which may or may not happen.

Fellow PCOSer here OP. Am so sorry about your losses. I have had very similar experiences and in the past and was prescribed metformin, which I hated. I did find the extended release version slightly easier to stomach, but regardless it did nothing to aid ovulation or ongoing pregnancy for me and in the end I gave up after two years on it.

Speaking candidly, and mindful of your age OP, I would forget the metformin and instead push for clomid or (failing that) injectible ovulation induction drugs such as gonal f (the latter of which would require a referral to a fertility clinic). I would also be inclined to take an inositol and folic acid supplement (Zita West does a good one that I found helpful).

Best of luck and don’t lose hope.

Thanks for your reply.

I'm not sure the doctor will prescribe me clomid as I already have a child, but even if they did it won't be for months. Just thought taking metformin in the meantime can't hurt, can it?