[lilmeows]

So I finally got the ultrasound today and Met with the Dr who told me I have Psos He Prescribed me to take Metformin. I was wondering if anyone has taken this and if clommid is a better choice or not?.. I was kinda hoping he would of prescribed me clomid. Anyways I filled the prescription and brought it home today but reading all the scary side affects and the warning lables I actually started to got scared. I think i will post this on the pcos page aswell but if anyone has any thoughts or knowledge on this please let me know. thanks everyone for your help i appreciate it!

[PuzzledAngel]

Hi!
I saw your post and thought I would add my 2 cents
I have PCOS and am IR (Insullin resistant)
I am on both Metformin (1500mg/day) and clomid (100mg/day cycle days 2-6)

Ok as for which is better, you can not compare the two.
Here is some info for you on both the meds and I know its a lot of reading but hopefully it will clear up their differences for you.

Metformin is perscribed to many women with PCOS because we tend to be IR (insulin resistant)

The Metformin has great success in regulating our cycles and in many cases restoring ovulation.

Metformin works in three ways. First, it decreases the absorption of dietary carbohydrates through the intestines.

Second, it reduces the production of glucose by the liver
The liver uses the raw material in your food to create a reserve supply of blood sugar. When your body experiences stress, the liver releases the reserve glucose to supply your brain and muscles with an immediate source of energy to cope with the stress. Glucophage(metformin) suppresses the production of this reserve fuel.

Third metformin increases the sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin.
Insulin is the hormone that delivers glucose into your cells to be burned as fuel, or stored. Women with PCOS frequently have "insulin resistance", a condition where excessive amounts of insulin are required in order to get blood glucose moved into cells, where it belongs. Glucophage helps your body to transport glucose with relatively less insulin, thus lowering your insulin levels. Chronically high levels of either glucose or insulin in your blood contributes to obesity, heart disease, infertility, and certain cancers, as well as the development of diabetes.

BENIFITS OF GLUCOPHAGE (METFORMIN)
LOWERING OF INSULIN, TESTOSTERONE, AND GLUCOSE LEVELS. Quite a number of studies indicate Glucophage reduces insulin, testosterone and glucose levels -- which reduces acne, hirsutism, abdominal obesity, amenorrhea and other symptoms. In one study conducted at Virginia Commonwealth University, 24 obese PCOS women were given metformin or placebo. The 11 women who received the metformin experienced a reduction in insulin levels, which slowed the activity of an enzyme in the ovaries that stimulates excess production of testosterone. As a result, testosterone levels also dropped


RESTORATION OF NORMAL MENSTRUAL CYCLE. A number of studies have shown that menstruation can be restored in many women with PCOS. For example, in a study at Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati, 43 women who were not having periods took Glucophage, and 39 of them resumed normal menses.(6) In another study at Jewish Hospital, 11 teenage girls with PCOS were put on metformin and a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. Ten of the 11 girls resumed regular periods.(7)

IMPROVED CHANCE OF PREGNANCY. A study of 48 women with PCOS and infertility was conducted at the Baylor College of Medicine. They were first given metformin and 19 of them resumed menstruating and showed indications of ovulation. But 10 required clomiphene (a fertility drug) in addition to metformin in order to show evidence of ovulation. Twenty women of the 48 (42%) became pregnant. However, 7 of the 20 miscarried.(8)

REDUCED RISK OF MISCARRIAGE. Another aspect of PCOS-related infertility is the tendency for repeated miscarriages. A study from the Hospital de Clinicas Caracas in Venezuela looked at 65 women who received Glucophage during their pregnancies vs. 31 who did not. The early pregnancy (first trimester) loss rate in the metformin group was 8.8% as compared to a 41.9% loss in the untreated group. Of those women who previously had miscarried, 11.1% of the metformin group miscarried again, while 58.3% of the untreated group again miscarried. (9)

REDUCED RISK OF GESTATIONAL DIABETES. In another study at Jewish Hospital in Cincinatti, gestational diabetes risk was evaluated in two groups of PCOS women. The first group was 33 non-diabletic women who had conceived while taking metformin or took it during their pregnancy. This group was compared to a group of 39 PCOS women who did not take it. Only 3% of the metformin group developed gestational diabetes as compared to 31% in the non-metformin group.(10)

WEIGHT LOSS AND OTHER BENEFITS. Metformin may contribute to weight loss in some diabetics.(11) However, weight loss does not appear to be one of its primary benefits. Glucophage may also be of some value improving success with in vitro fertilization, lowering cholesterol, and improving energy.


As for Clomid, it is a fertility medication (whereas the metformin "resets" your bodys' balance and regulates it)

Clomid is perscribed when a woman does not Ovulated herself or has poor egg quality or luteal phase defect.
Clomid influences the way that the four hormones required for ovulation, GnRH, FSH, LH and estradiol, relate and interrelate.
Clomid fools the body into believing that the estrogen level is low. This altered feedback information causes the hypothalamus (an area of the brain) to make and release more gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) which in turn causes the pituitary to make and release more FSH and LH. More follicle stimulating hormone and more luteinizing hormone should result in the release of one or more mature eggs - ovulation.

So basically, the metformin is a med that will get your body back on track. It will balance out your hormones and help you get back in good health.
The clomid is to make you ovulate (if you still are not) or to help you ovulate much stronger if you have poor quality eggs.

[lilmeows]

thank you so much for takin the time to write me back i found the info incredible helpful. I think i am going to start taking the metformin and hope for my BFP thanks again

Hi!!

I have PCOS and was on metformin for about 1 year before they put me on clomid. Metformin did not work for me, but my doctor said 80% of women he can get to ovulate and get pg on metformin alone, I am just in the 20% that is didn't work, BUT the first cycle I was on metformin and clomid together I got my bfp. So, don't lose hope! What dose does he have you on?

I found out that metformin upsets my tummy for the first several days on it, so I recommend starting when you are able to be close to a bathroom. I always got my tummy ache in the middle of the night, so at least it didn't come at work. But I was not happy for about 4 days when starting met and each time the upped the dose I had that problem

Good Luck and I hope metformin alone works for you (it did 2 times with my sil, she was pg in less than 6 months on it!)

Let us know how things are going for you and if you have any questions, just ask or pm me and I will try to help!!