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Original poster

Metformin for PCOS - how long does it take to work?

14 replies

Lily1990 · 04/08/2022 20:24

Hi everyone,

I started taking metformin at the start of my last cycle as I have PCOS, long cycles, and miscarriages. But I still ovulated really late (CD29) which was disappointing.

Does metformin take a few months to kick in and regulate your cycles, or should it happen quickly?

I am taking 1000mg a day, as my consultant said she didn't think I'd need more because I have a low BMI. Maybe I do though?

Would be grateful to hear others' experience on it!

OP posts:
WonderWoop · 04/08/2022 23:57

Hey
Have you looked into inositol? I found this more effective than metformin, and less side effects. You could take both

Original poster
Lily1990 · 05/08/2022 08:16

Hey @WonderWoop thanks for your reply. Yes I've been taking it as part of Inofolic Alpha for the past 3 months. It’s cleared up my skin but still late ovulation unfortunately.

OP posts:
WonderWoop · 05/08/2022 17:50

I took it in powder form and it really helped. Best of luck with your journey Flowers

Original poster
Lily1990 · 08/08/2022 12:07

Thank you @WonderWoop Flowers

OP posts:
hopingfor23 · 08/08/2022 14:25

I have a normal bmi but pushed to have my dose increased to 1500mg and got pregnant a month after the increase. Now 18 weeks :-)

I was on 1000mg for 7 months and it decreased my cycle/ovulation by a day or so each month but wasn't enough. If it's not reducing your cycles and helping you ovulate at a normal time then it's not working so try and push for the increase if you can. I was also taking to powder inositol and coq10 (both recommended along side metformin by my consultant)

Good luck x

Original poster
Lily1990 · 08/08/2022 14:39

That's super helpful to hear @hopingfor23 ! Congratulations on your pregnancy :)
I have an appointment this week with my doctor so I'll ask to increase it (but tempted to just do it anyway as I have all the tablets!). Did you have any side effects from 1500mg? I've not had any so far from 1000mg, but I'm on the slow release and have been pretty careful with my diet.
Thanks again and all the best with your pregnancy x

OP posts:
YorkshireTeaCup · 08/08/2022 14:42

I took 2000mg and my consultant said it could take up to 6 months to start working - i think in the end i started having periods again after around 3 months? I did have a higher BMI though, which might be why inwas prescribed a higher dose. But blood tests showed i still wasn't ovulating so in the end, DD was conceived on the 3rd cycle of letrozole.

Original poster
Lily1990 · 09/08/2022 10:05

Thanks @YorkshireTeaCup, it's really helpful to hear your experience! And reassuring that it could take some time to start working, so not necessarily a bad sign that I didn't notice a difference in the first month. Letrozole is also the plan for me if this hasn't worked in a few months. Congrats on DD!

OP posts:
SkeletonSkins · 09/08/2022 10:11

I have a normal BMI, I was on 1000 mg since January and it didn’t work, upped in to 1500 in March time and it worked like a charm, I’m now pregnant. I did have quite a few side effects to begin with though.

Original poster
Lily1990 · 09/08/2022 21:12

@SkeletonSkins that’s very interesting, you’re another person who 1000mg didn’t work for! Amazing 1500mg worked like a charm and you’re now pregnant 🤩. Congrats and thanks for sharing your experience with me.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lily1990 · 12/08/2022 14:51

In case anyone reads this in the future, I thought it would be helpful to update with the advice from my doctor. She said that metformin takes 2-3 months to work so I need to wait longer to see an effect on my cycle. I asked about increasing to 1500mg and she was quite against it, so hoping I do get an improvement with 1000mg... if not I will push to increase!

OP posts:
mrsalice2022 · 25/01/2023 21:25

Hi there, I’m a few months behind on this thread but I was wondering what dose myoinositol and coq10 you were taking along with the metformin @hopingfor23 ? I hope all has gone well with your pregnancy! 😊

MK85 · 25/01/2023 22:11

I was prescribed 1500mg metformin for over a year however it did not regulate my cycles.
It can take a few months to have an effect ( I had an initial kick and it brought on a delayed period that I hadn't had for 6 months exactly 30 days after starting metformin) but nothing after that. I then went another 7 months without a period. I hated metformin as it just didnt agree with me .
Metformin just dosent work for everyone with pcos. I've met several women prescribed metformin and unfortunately none of them had regular periods after starting it. It will work for some and and for others it won't. I'd give it a few months and discuss the next step with your consultant

Lisa4672 · 11/11/2023 07:53

I gained A LOT of weight, and had unwanted hair growth due to the polycystic ovarian syndrome. I've been on metformin for almost 3 weeks and have lost 13lbs. The day I started the metformin, I also started a low carb diet. Prior to metformin, I couldn't control my craving for salty, carb filled food. For the past two and a half weeks I have been able to finally control the cravings. My energy levels have increased by 50%. I also waxed the unwanted hair the day I started, and already I have noticed that less is growing back in. I wish I started metformin two years ago because I literally feel like PCOS has taken two years of my life away from me! I hope it works for others as well as it has worked for me - https://euhealth24.com/drug/glucophage

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