Metformin and almost constant bleeding

[pipistrello]

I've been taking metformin for nearly three months to try to sort out very infrequent periods from PCOS, and have now hurtled to the other extreme and have been bleeding to one degree or another (but mostly mediumish spotting) for about 2/3 of the time. I am pretty certain I can discern a longish period, then a week off, then two weeks of this spotting.

Obviously the thing to do is talk to my doctor about it, and I will, but would love some advance thoughts of what she might say. Has anyone experienced anything similar?

Hi I've not had experience of this yet. I just got put on metformin a month ago, so far my first perido on it was the normal 5 week length I always get.

That's got me worried now though. Have you found the metformin helped with other symptoms?

I am also on metformin and it has stopped my periods. Haven't had one since Feb (am not PG before you ask). Meant to help with my weight but no difference. I also have underactive thyroid.

I haven't noticed any other effect from Metformin at all -just the bleeding.

Right, looks like it's the doctor then. But thank you for taking the time to respond.

I had PCO(s) and had near constant bleeding until i was put on Metformin, so kind of opposite to you i'm afraid.

I think I may also have been put on Progesterone to stop the bleeding (was a while ago now), may be worth asking about that?

Hello
I've been on metformin for ages for PCOS. I think I might have had similar issues at the start, but it did calm down.

I found it pretty amazing tbh and I was able to regulate cycles enough to be able to pinpoint ovulation and concieve first time of trying (huge suprise when i was told that I'd probably not have kids ever!)

I am a slim PCOS-er though- not sure if that makes a differece in how effective it is

How are you finding the gastric side effects?

I haven't even had the gastric side effects! I was perversely quite looking forward to them as a possible weightloss tactic.

In that case I will ask about progesterone, but be prepared to wait a little longer to see if it calms down naturally if my doctor suggests it.

pipistrello you do not want the gastric side effects. I've had them right from the first pill. They're horrendous.

Agree with A. I was same. I recently reatarted after having dd and it was hellish.

I have to build from 1/4 to 2 whole tabs over 6 months or it's like food poisoning nausea and stomach pain.

All ok now though although certain foods give me issues!

I have that too Giraffe. I have to be careful what I eat or I get the symptoms you do.

That does sound quite horrid. It makes me wonder if I'm on the wrong dose, seeing as it hasn't affected me at all, gastrically speaking. I'm on 3x500g (or do I mean mg?) a day but am tall and of a statuesque sort of build, perhaps I should be on more. Something elseto ask !

my dose is 850mg twice a day, so similar.

i felt side effects with just 1/4 of one 850mg tab.

You are lucky that it didnt affect you :)

Thanks Giraffe. I hope I didn't sound smug about it!

So you are on slightly more than I am in real terms.

Do you mind comparing body masses at all? I am 6', broad shouldered and overweight (though waist is smaller than hips). Do you think you are taking more than I am relatively speaking as well?

Do I mean "real terms"? Or "absolute terms"? Anyway, you know what I mean!

:) didn't sound smug at all. Very glad you didn't suffer. It's nasty.

I'm quite lean, 5 11" and just over 10st.

Not sure how doses are worked out. Makes sense to be weight related but not sure it is.

That's fabulously lean! Ah well, one day I will get there.

Your doses sound a bit high.

I'm on 500mg twice a day.

Can I join?

I've been on Metformin since beginning of September & been bleeding almost every day since. I think I've had 5 days in a row max of not bleeding! I'm so sick of it as been ttc for 3 years now. I have PCOS (most of the symptoms) and on Metformin to help me lose weight for IVF - which is happening due to the fact that Metformin gives me nausea & turned me off some food. Also the bleeding started to go heywire after Clomid.

Dr & cons don't seem to worried & scans show normal lining...just don't know what to do...any help?

My bleeding twin! I am weirdly comforted to know that someone else is having the same experience. Sadly no advice to share yet, apart from waiting to see if it settles down. How long is a reasonable time to wait, do you think? I want everything to be sorted NOW.

I don't know cos I've seen 3 GPs & 2 fertility consultants & they don't seem that worried by it. Been tailing google & there are a few people on chatrooms with the same problems going back years but no actual solutions! I've got another cons app in Dec so kinda waiting till then but not sure if I should try the GP again!!!