Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

[GirlinContempt]

Anyone with PCOS been prescribed metformin?

It's a drug to combat insulin resistance, and I just started it.

I have some concerns about hypoglycemia, which are probably overblown, but, anyone taken this for this condition? How'd it go?

[kdmorris]

1. I take Metformin for Diabetes

which probably started out as PCOS 20 years ago, since I was told I would never have children in 1986 because of the cysts on my ovaries (I've sinced give birth to 3 daughters, without the help of metformin. They are all teenagers now). Metformin should not cause hypogycemia, but if you were not trying to get pregnant, it may make you more fertile, so you should make sure you are using birth control.

Metformin makes your cells more receptive to insulin which will allow you to use glucose more efficiently. This in turn should keep your pancreas from putting out the profuse amounts of insulin it has been putting out before, in reaction to the amount of glucose in your blood. This would actually make hypoglycemia less likely than it was before you started taking Metformin (hypoglycemia is often caused by hyperinsulinemia, which is the primary cause of PCOS).

Hope that makes sense.

[REP]

2. I Have Polycystic Ovaries (No Syndrome)

I just have the cysts - lots of them, the size of grapes; my ovaries look like raspberries! I'm diabetic as well, but that's from a course of steroids; I don't have any of the other symptoms of PCOS, such as hirsutism, acne, high blod pressure or discolored skin.

The usual treatment for ovarian cysts is hormonal: Depo-Provera, Lupron or certain birth control pills.

Metformin is contraindicated in those with kidney problems or kidney disease, so be sure your doctor does a urine dipstick and and kidney panel before putting you on it. It's a not a drug to be taken lightly, even in diabetics.

[lizerdbits]

3. Wish I didn't have the syndrome part

I was going to one doctor for depression, a dermatologist for acne, and the gyno was tossing all kinds of BCPs at me for years to stop constant bleeding (no luck). Found a gyno who put it all together and made recommendations that are actually useful. Good thing I'm not interested in having kids, with me I doubt it would ever happen. It could be a lot worse that's for sure, I don't have much discolored skin or have to shave my chin.

[Susang]

4. I'm on it

I just started it as well. Feel free to PM me if you like.