Metformin is a medicine normally used to treat type 2 diabetes. This medicine works by making the body’s cells more sensitive to insulin, thereby treating insulin resistance, a condition prevalent in females suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). It decreases the level of blood insulin, thus helping in neutralization of the underlying cause of PCOS. Due to this, it can be used in the treatment of women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) who want to get pregnant. Metformin for PCOS can be termed as an off-label use since that is not its main purpose as a drug. It is only recognized as a type 2 diabetes drug treatment medicine.
What Is Metformin?
Metformin is basically an insulin sensitizing drug. This medicine becomes useful in the case of insulin resistance, which occurs when the body’s cells do not react to normal or standard levels of insulin in the blood. The cells become less sensitive thus triggering the production of more insulin whose level eventually increases in the body. Metformin, therefore, helps in lowering the excess levels of insulin in the body.
How Effective Is Metformin for PCOS?
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Effectiveness |
Descriptions |
|---|---|
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Treat insulin resistance |
As discussed earlier, insulin resistance may be prevalent in women withPolycystic Ovary Syndrome. Metformin can be of great use in the regulation of reproductive hormones by treating insulin resistance. |
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Initiate ovulation induction |
Research regarding PCOS and metformin has widely shown that menstrual cycle becomes regular with this medicine over time, without the need of such fertility drugs as clomid. However, doctors recommend metformin only for those women who have insulin resistance and not all women suffering from PCOS. |
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Intervene in case of clomid resistance |
Clomid is popularly known for its use as a fertility drug; however, some women with PCOS develop resistance to this drug and therefore cannot ovulate. Research concludes the possible solution of this problem to using metformin. When metformin is used by women with this condition for 4 to 6 months prior to beginning the clomid treatment, it may improve success especially for women who are resistant to clomid. |
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Prevent repeated miscarriage |
Most of the women with PCOS may be prone to miscarriage issues that may repeat every time they have pregnancy. Some research studies have shown that metformin treatment may be very essential in decreasing the risk of miscarriage especially in women with PCOS. In addition to this, taking metformin in the first trimester of pregnancy may as well help to prevent miscarriage. However, it is recommended that before you embark on taking metformin, you should consult a medical professional, just to be sure of any risk. |
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Manage weight issues |
Mostly, PCOS is linked with weight gain and obesity, a lot of women with this condition may not be happy with its effects, and thus it could be such a difficult task for them to maintain their normal weight. Metformin can do the magic by helping such women to lose weight. However, this medicine cannot work on its own; your doctor might recommend you an exercise routine as well as a diet plan. It’s important to note that losing weight helps to restart ovulation in order to achieve pregnancy. |
What Are the Side Effects of Metformin for PCOS?
Every medicine comes with a list of its side effects and so is metformin, but before looking at its side effects, here are important points that you should note.
- The importance of a certain medicine is in its benefits which are way more essential than its minor side effects
- Side effects are usually temporary effects that go away afterwards.
- It’s important to seek doctors’ advice in case the side effects persist.
The common side effects for metformin include:
- Temporary diarrhea and nausea
- Increased abdominal gas
- Appetite loss
- Metallic taste in your mouth
Extreme side effects which include trouble breathing, swelling of face throat, lips or even tongues, hives and symptoms of lactic acidosis should be taken urgently for medical intervention.
Want to know more about metformin for PCOS? Check out the video below:
More Tips on Taking Metformin for PCOS
1. Follow Your Doctor’s Instruction
Doctors will treat you mostly using medicines, besides other medical procedures. It is important to follow your doctor’s prescription of any medicine since, with strict adherence to prescription, it will prevent future problems. You may be putting your life at risk if you don’t take your medicine properly.
2. Have Checkups
Follow-up care remains as the key part of any treatment and checkups should not be ignored since they guarantee you safety. You should ensure that you remain loyal to all your doctor’s appointments and make a call to the doctor in case you experience some problems. In addition, it’s important to keep track of the medicines you take and the test results.
3. Do Not Take It If You Are Pregnant
During pregnancy, breast feeding or when planning to get pregnant, it’s advisable not to use metformin unless your doctor guides you to use it. In such cases, anything that you may do may harm the baby, so it is recommended to seek advice before engaging in usage of any medication or using supplements.