Metformin

[nancy]

Hello Dr. Apryl,

My doctor suggested I try taking Metformin to help with my symptoms.

Before I start, I wanted to do a bit of research on this. It looks to be FDA approved, but most of what I read is how it is meant to be used for Diabetes. I don't have diabetes, I just want to get pregnant.

From your experience...

Do you know if Metformin helps women that are trying to get pregnant? If so, is there anything I should be aware of before I start? Are there things to consider if I am going to be on this long term?

Do you know of anything else that I should consider?

[drapryl]

Originally Posted by nancy

Hello Dr. Apryl,

My doctor suggested I try taking Metformin to help with my symptoms.

Before I start, I wanted to do a bit of research on this. It looks to be FDA approved, but most of what I read is how it is meant to be used for Diabetes. I don't have diabetes, I just want to get pregnant.

From your experience...

Do you know if Metformin helps women that are trying to get pregnant? If so, is there anything I should be aware of before I start? Are there things to consider if I am going to be on this long term?

Do you know of anything else that I should consider?

Dear Nancy,

I'm glad you found our forum and decided to write in.

Metformin isn't a drug for PCOS- we call it's use for PCOS 'off-label'. Metformin is an anti-hyperglycemic agent which improves glucose tolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetic conditions, lowering both basal and postprandial plasma glucose (not insulin which is believed to be the underlying cause of PCOS). Its pharmacologic mechanisms of action are different from other classes of oral anti-hyperglycemic agents. Metformin decreases glucose production in the liver, decreases intestinal absorption of glucose, and improves insulin sensitivity by increasing peripheral glucose uptake and utilization.

So, Metformin can help the underlying cause of PCOS, Insulin Resistance, at times. The most common side effect I've seen is diarrhea that does not resolve over time. It can also at times cause blood sugar to be too low. Yes, it can help you get pregnant if it helps with the ovarian cysts that I assume that you have by making you more sensitive to your own insulin.

Insulite Labs does have a PCOS system that will help address your Insulin Resistance and rebalance your hormones. It isn't FDA approved since we don't have the finances to do the expensive clinical trials that that demands. However, we've had many clients become pregnant while using our system; here is the link to our testimonials http://pcos.insulitelabs.com/Testimonials.php, and our PCOS page http://pcos.insulitelabs.com/.

I hope this is helpful, and feel free to write again for more information.