Metformin for very mild pcos

[insanemembrane]

Hello,

Ive been prescribed slow release metformin for very mild pcos to try and help me conceive. My FSH and LH levels indicate mild pcos and my doctor thinks this will greatly improve my chances of natural conception.

However I am very nervous of side effects from metformin. It is the slow release one I have and I’ve been told this is much less likely to cause side effects.

Can anyone offer experience please with

1. Side effects from slow release metformin
2. Pregnancy success from taking this
3. are there any foods I need to avoid whilst taking slow release metformin? I have been told to eat healthier and do more exercise - avoiding carbs.

thank you

🌸

I take metformin for diabetes however it helped my PCOS symptoms a lot when I started taking it (not particularly relevant now as I'm post menopausal). My main side effect was diarrhea, but I wasn't taking the slow release so hopefully that will be less problematic for you. I would say to make sure that you are taking the tablet with or immediately after a full meal. My biggest problems would be if I forgot to take it and then took it 15-30 minutes later. I would still feel that my stomach was full but the contents would be almost ready to move on through the gut and that was too quick for the metformin. So have it to hand when you serve up lunch/dinner. And it really needs to be a full meal, not a piece of toast or something.

Low carb can be helpful with PCOS, although I'm not sure how strong the research is. I am very low carb to help with my diabetes. My snacks are things like nuts, apple with cheddar (delicious), celery sticks with cream cheese or humus, generally anything that is high fibre and/or high protein. Try not to have any carb without some protein with it. If you're having bread try to go for very high fibre bread and have protein on it. When I have my evening meal I don't have any carb with it, I fill up on veg (I particularly love broccoli and brussels sprouts, but go for what you enjoy). I don't really eat rice at all now but I used to buy frozen cauliflower rice and mix it half and half with real rice. I don't like the taste of cauliflower rice but I couldn't taste it at all when mixed with real rice and the frozen stuff comes in handy portions that you can just heat through in the microwave. If you like Scandinavian style bread and open sandwiches then this stuff is delicious and doesn't bump my glucose levels much, https://profusionorganic.co.uk/products/profusion-organic-protein-bread/ profusionorganic.co.uk/products/profusion-organic-protein-bread/]]]] it's usually available in health food shops.

Keep an eye out for hidden sugar, read all the labels in the supermarket. I have recently been surprised by dextrose in chicken liver pate, maltodextrin in dry roasted peanuts and a ton of sugar in bottled balsamic salad dressing.

I was nauseous for a few weeks after starting Metformin. It helped with PCOS symptoms immensely once my body adjusted to it and I conceived 2 times on it.

(I know that's not your question here, but after 2 pregnancies and terrible PCOS symptoms that returned, I started strength training which really sorted out my PCOS symptoms better than Metformin and I went on to conceive a third time, this time without Metformin.) I did reduce carbs and increased protein intake which helped loose a few kilos so probably helped, but over time returned to all my favourite carbs but kept up with resistance training. I think it's the resistance training that was the magic for me in getting symptoms in control.

Thank you so much for your replies.

The only symptom I have of pcos is mild acne on my back and chest so this diagnosis has came at a complete shock to me. My periods have always been normal and regular so it’s just totally thrown me.

The metformin has been prescribed more as a way to help me conceive - but I have been told to sort my diet as I’m really bad for eating a lot of sugar and carbs. I think the metformin is a temporary aid for conception as the pcos is apparently so mild.

It’s all just completely shocked me as I’d never ever considered this.

Is there anyone else who is able to offer any help please? 🙏

I took Metformin as diagnosed with mild pcos after several miscarriages with a successful pregnancy in between. I was prescribed it after I became pregnant with my second child as there was some evidence it may have helped. The biggest side effect I got was severe stomach cramps on a handful of times which I'm sure I read somewhere can be more likely with a higher carb intake. I stopped it at 12 weeks.
My friend had pcos and it took her 7 years to conceive through ivf. She was put on Metformin by her GP as it can aid weight loss as well as help with pcos. She had a suprise natural conception a few months after starting it.

I took it and got pregnant without any other help (6 months), it helped my period return. ☺️ didn’t experience any notable side effects

Thank you so much. I am hearing lots of positive conception stories from metformin (trying not to get my own hopes up too much!).

Given that your periods are regular, why does your doctor think you'd have difficulty conceiving? A very typical PCOS symptom is irregular and long cycles, which would make TTC a bit trickier....

@BatshitIsTheOnlyExplanation
I am having difficulty conceiving - I’ve been unsuccessfully ttc for 18 months.
My periods are definitely regular (29 day cycle on average) but my lh is slightly higher compared to my fsh which indicates pcos ☹️ other than acne (and difficulty conceiving) I don’t have any pcos symptoms

PCOS is a spectrum disorder. So you’re right to describe it as mild. It can affect women differently, and therefore the symptoms vary.

I am in a similar boat to you, OP. I have just been diagnosed with PCOS, after blood tests, and an ultrasound scan of my ovaries. Unfortunately my cycles are slightly irregular. They usually vary between 30 to 34 days, but my last cycle was 47. I’ve just been prescribed slow release metformin to help with ttc. I started taking it on Saturday. I haven’t had any side effects yet, though diarrhoea is a common one. I’m on quite a low dose atm, and I’m due to increase it to twice a day from next week.

I am following recipes by nutritionist Jessica Shand - she created the hormone health recipe book and I really recommend it. For hormones, it’s important that blood sugar levels are regulated. I’m also trying seed cycling to see if that encourages regular periods too. Good to prioritise fibre and protein and steer clear of UPFs or anything likely to disrupt your endocrine system. Check out her book - she’s on instagram too.

I took metformin and then clomid to conceive. The slow release is a lot better than the other type - however I still got a really upset tummy. But I lost weight and conceived. So all
good!

I was also told to avoid caffeine. Not sure if that’s a metformin thing or more general conception.

I also know someone else who got pregnant on met and clomid. So it does work. Good luck.

I took metformin during ivf and to 20 weeks. This was 15 years ago, and there was some evidence that metformin helped reduce the risk of miscarriages in women with pcos.

PCOS symptoms are made worse with poor diet and being overweight, which is probably why your doctor recommended healthier eating. Google the low glycaemic load diet - the aim of healthy eating is to balance the blood sugar.

Best of luck with conceiving.

Did you take both metformin and clomid together?,

Yes. Metformin initially and to lose weight. Then one month of clomid and it worked first time!