TTC with PCOS, Metformin, Myo-inositol and Miscarriages

[mrsalice2022]

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 😊

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.

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

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 💕

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 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.

@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.

@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 ?

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!

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

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

I took inofolic to conceive my healthy children. Look it up online.

Thanks for the advice all. I'll have a look at letrozole.

I haven't heard anything about being insulin resistant but one of my bloods came back as 'patient is likely a diabetic'. So I'm hoping if there are issues there the metformin will help, docs haven't addressed it though so I'll try remember to mention it. Luckily I don't have the other PCOS symptoms like being overweight, facial hair etc. but I do get the hormonal acne!

Myo-inositol - any side effects?

@Shootforthestars I took a sh*t load of supplements but the official advice from the consultant was to take folic acid, vitamin d and a pre natal like pregnacare ect

Thanks @MK85
I got some of my blood tests back on Friday all seem to be normal waiting on the lupus test coming back then I'm making an appointment to discuss them. I'm keen to know if there's a difference in my thyroid from the last test in August. And if my folate levels have increased as they said in August I had low folate and had to take folic acid every day. I'd really like them to test my progesterone levels as well.

@Shootforthestars my progesterone levels came back as low but they never prescribed me anything. I suffered a loss at the start of the month and I believe that likely contributed to it. I'm going to be bringing it up to my consultant at next appointment as I don't think it's acceptable to be left to possibly go through that again.
I'd definitely push to get your progesterone levels checked

@MK85 I’m so sorry for your loss too. I too believe that progesterone levels may have contributed to mine as this seems common with PCOS. It surprises me that more isn’t done from this point of view. I’ve read of people being prescribed progesterone and baby aspirin when they discover they are pregnant. I would be interested to know what your consultant says.

@Shootforthestars @RainyDaysByTheFire I take Myo-Inositol with Folic Acid and Vitamin D and I have just started the Metformin today. I have found no side effects with Myo-Inositol!

@mrsalice2022 I think I'm going to invest in some. My bloods came back today and confirmed no ovulation. Referral to fertility goes out next week when DH's sperm analysis comes back, but there's a 45 week wait at the moment in my region! I'm gutted. Looking at private healthcare options and whether it's even feasible for us, but I'm just so frustrated it isn't going to be straight forward for us 😥on top of it all, my skin is absolutely rank at the moment with the hormonal acne so not only do I feel crap, I think I look crap too!

Ugh cup of tea time I think...

@RainyDaysByTheFire the waiting lists are so hard to deal with. We waited from summer 2019 to march 2022 just to see a gynae then waited from august last year til now next month just to get another referral to the fertility clinic

@RainyDaysByTheFire I’m so sorry to hear this and I completely understand your frustration. The acne and excess hair is just the icing on the cake isn’t it! 😔 I have to say we were lucky in terms of getting an appointment, I think it took 5 months for us in total. I know I’m not a doctor or a health expert at all but I honestly have seen such a difference in both ovulation/regular periods and my acne by taking Myo-Inositol. As it is a natural product, it might be worth you trying it? Even the fertility nurse had recommended it to us and put my ovulation down to taking it.

I've ordered these ones: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084D7MWXK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for the kind words, it's a rollercoaster isn't it. Sorry to hear about those who have lost on the way. Sending back strength and support to you all 💕

Jeez! 45 week wait! That's shocking. We looked at doing letrozole privately and it's was looking at around £1000-£1500. Obviously still expensive but nowhere near as expensive as IVF. Depending on if you have the funds, it might be worth looking into your area? That was using the private services of our local hospital.

@YorkshireTeaCup I'm absolutely looking at private, though most clinics I've seen don't offer much in the way of PCOS treatment, it's all IVF.

I've sent a few emails about private consultant appointments in my area so lets see...

Thanks @mrsalice2022 good to know no side effects
@RainyDaysByTheFire that's the ones I went for too.
So I got my anticoagulant bloods back and they are showing positive 😟 been advised that I need my bloods taken again in 3 months but I think its to confirm if the next set come back as positive. Phoning the doctor tomorrow for a telephone consultation to find out more about it.

👋 hi everyone, can I join?

Were ttc no. 2 but my cycles are so long and unpredictable no luck yet. You feel like you’re not running the same race as everyone else don’t you?

I have actually got myself onto a trial that’s testing whether clomid or letrazole is better for ovulation. I really try and avoid GP’s as they always seem to make me feel like I’m wasting their time. Anyway I emailed my local hospital’s research team about a month ago and they managed to get me in for bloods about a week later. I go and pick up my meds next week. I don’t know what I’ll be getting but it will basically be either clomid, clomid + metmormin, letrazole or letrazole + metformin. I figure it’s worth it as I know waitlists are so long.

I’ve been taking the Free Soul myo-inositol for 3 months now and it’s not really had any impact on my cycles 😩