What Is Metformin For Exactly?? - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Message Board

ASPROUSEY05 · 04-11-2006, 03:27 PM

OK MY STORY

I WAS TOLD I DO HAVE SOME POLYCYSTIC OVARIES BUT I DO NOT HAVE PCOS... I HAD THE BLOOD GLUCOSE TEST (3 HR THINGY) AND THE SUGARS WERE NORMAL BUT THE INSULIN WAS HIGH IN 2 AND 3 HR. THE DR TOLD ME TO LOOSE ABOUT 12-15 LBS. NEVER MISS A PERIOD, HORMONES NORMAL.. WHY AM I ON METFORMIN?? IS IT FOR THE INSULIN RESISTANCE?? THE FEW CYSTS?? WE CANT GET PREGNANT FOR MF REASONS, BUT IM GUESSING THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE I GOT THE BEST EGGS I CAN BEFORE IVF. I AM ON OMEGA FATTY ACIDS 3, VITAMIN E, VIT C, AND PRENTAL, AND NOW METFORMIN.. WHAT IS THIS SUPPOSE TO DO FOR ME IF I DONT NEED HELP OVULATING?? WHAT KNDA SIDE EFFECTS ARE QWE TALKING ABOUT?? IVE ONLY TAKING THEM FOR A DAY OR 2 NOW, AND I HAVE SOME CRAMPING, BUT THATS IT. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP, THANKS ALOT!!!

barton93 · 04-11-2006, 06:37 PM

Do you know why your doctor said that you don't have PCOS? You don't have to have all of the symptoms to get a diagnosis. What type of doc is treating you? To me, it sounds like you have PCOS. You have polycystic ovaries, insulin resistance, infertility.........all of which are symptoms of PCOS.

ASPROUSEY05 · 04-11-2006, 08:40 PM

hey barton!! thanks for your reply.. my dr is an re who specilaizes in pcos/syndrome x! my drs dont believe my infertility is caused by pcos my dh has severe mf (very low count/morph) and my cycles are normal, i ovulate etc. and all of my hormones are normal... my insulin resistance can be bc all i eat is pasta (tooo much starch- trying to cut down) and if normall is 5 follicles i have 6 on one side and 9 on the other...they told me some women have 30 or 40!! so he told me i have some polycystic ovaries but not enough other symptoms to be diagnosed with the syndrome. me and dh are having ivf in june, and they want my eggs as good as possible for retrieval/transfer.. ive just heard some bad things about metformin (side effects) and wondering if its really worth all that for me to take it, i a slightly overweight (dr told me to lose 12-15) but i think i can do it on my own.. tryin to learn a lil more about this med... u guess im just scared of it, but maybe by taking them if the cysts i do have go away im hoping there is less chance of miscarriage. and i heard metformin regulates periods, but mine are regular, so im just confused!!!

barton93 · 04-12-2006, 04:27 PM

OK, so if I'm understanding this correctly..........the infertility is from your husband, not you. Ok.....so one thing ruled out. As for the cysts, yours are not that big.

Metformin is often prescribed to diabetics. Many docs are now using Met to also treat IR in patients. You are right about it helping to regulate periods, but you obviously don't have that problem. The biggest thing is if you do not treat your IR, it could develop into Diabetes........which you want to avoid at all costs. Aside from your IR, I don't see where the Met is going to be much benefit to you.

With PCOS.............Met helps to regulate the hormones, which in turn helps to regulate menstrual cycles. Once those hormones are regulated, it is much easier to lose weight. But, if your hormones are ok and your menstrual cycles are normal, then the met is doing nothing for you in that aspect. If your extra weight is a result of the IR, then it is possible that if the Met regulates that, then you will most likely lose your excess weight easier.

I don't know if I've been much help to you or not. I know a lot about PCOS (because I have it) and about Diabetes (because I have that as well). So, if you think of anything else..........don't hesitate to ask.

Oh, also............I have 2 family members who have had great success with IVF. One of them got triplets out of the deal!!!!

ASPROUSEY05 · 04-12-2006, 05:16 PM

Thanks Barton!! Yes U Have Been Helpful

Its Just All So Confusing, And I Love My Drs, But I Forget To Ask A Lot That I Wanna Ask Until After I Leave... Maybe Hes Hoping It Helps The Ir.. He Did Mention Lots Of Drs Dont Even Look At That, They Just Wait Until Someone Turns Diabetic... Well I Wish U Luck With Keepin Ur Pcos Under Control...