If you’re a woman living with PCOS, then you have probably heard of Metformin for some reason or another. Whether it’s been brought up to you by a professional, you’ve read about it in an article or blog, or you’ve seen people talk about it in forums, it’s probably a drug that’s crossed your mind at least once.
What is Metformin?
Metformin is basically a drug that is used to help control high blood sugar. It’s given to people with Type 2 Diabetes, and also to women with PCOS to help control their symptoms. If you want to know more details about Metformin, I suggest you read here, as I am not a doctor. :)
Why Metformin for PCOS?
Since women with PCOS tend to have insulin resistance, they can have thickening and darkening of skin around the neck, underarms, and in their “chub rub.” Insulin resistance can also cause your hormone levels to get out of whack, which can produce more testosterone, which leads to unwanted hair, acne, and inconsistent periods. Metformin can help with controlling your insulin to relieve these symptoms. If you want some more details, I’ve found this page to be helpful.
My Experience with Metformin
Spoiler Alert: It was a horrible experience!
I went to the doctor a few months ago and had some general testing done. It had been a while since I had blood tests, ultrasounds, consultations, etc. done as follow up from my original PCOS diagnosis. I wanted to make sure something else wasn’t wrong or see if things had gotten better. Basically, I found that years ago when I went to the doctor, I was Pre-Diabetic according to my test results and my doctor never told me. (So annoying.)
This time, I went to a new doctor. He was thorough and knowledgeable, and he told me I had Type 2 Diabetes according to one test, but he wanted me to take another. This test confirmed I was still in the Pre-Diabetic stage, but he wanted to start me on Metformin because of the Pre-Diabetes and PCOS combination.
Of course, I had heard of Metformin. I’ve done a lot of research, because people ask me about it quite often. I have heard both good and bad things about it, but mostly that people had some pretty bad gastrointestinal issues on the medicine. I never thought that it would happen to me though. Not to give too much TMI (even though I’m pretty famous for it,) but I am pretty regular, no matter what food I eat. I can eat a sack of Taco Bell and be just fine. That was NOT the case with Metformin. I was so sick that I missed work for almost an entire week, I was sick all through the weekend, and then didn’t start feeling completely fine until the end of the next week.
My doctor had be start with one pill, and then ultimately get up to 4 pills by the 4th week. I was fine up until I got to the full dose! I was nauseous, no appetite, vomiting, diarrhea- the whole nine yards. I decided to stop taking the medicine, and even though I was not taking it, the medicine was still in me, so I remained pretty sick for quite a while!
My Conclusion
I think that all medicines work differently on different people. I can say that I will not be trying Metformin again. I would rather keep my diet super clean than go through that hell again! I have heard that the slow release version isn’t as hard on the gastrointestinal bits, if you know what I mean…but I still don’t think it will be something I try.
I say that you should consider trying it still. I can’t say it will be the same thing for everyone. All I have to go off of is my own experience, so take that for what it’s worth! I hope it’s helpful to hear my experience. Please let me know if you have had a similar experience or had a great one! I am extremely interested in hearing!
I have been prescribed Metformin twice to manage my PSOS. The first time was when I was pretty young and just starting college. I think I was taking about 2 pills a day, but they weren’t extended release pills. I eventually stopped taking them mostly because I was NEVER hungry (and had a few GI side effects). You’d think that’d be a good side effect but it really wasn’t… I mean I LIKE food lol. Second time was last year, and this time I was only prescribed one pill a day, and it was an extended release pill. I stomached this one MUCH better!! I get my period pretty consistently now (every other month) but haven’t seen a change in any of the other PSOS symptoms. Dr wanted me to go up to 2 pills a day, and I tried it, but had some of the GI symptoms again, so I’m back down to one for now. :)
I quit that stuff! it didn’t help me one bit, after i was diagnosed with PCOS they started me on Metformin. I didn’t have very many side effects, like some ladies have experienced but I did notice how it made me tired and moody.
I’ve heard it makes people feel just a bit wonky! Glad you were smart enough to discontinue. How are you managing your symptoms now?
Just started reading your blog! I stumbled on it while on Pinterest. I am currently on Metformin because of being type 2 diabetic…which probably comes from and very recent diagnosis of PCOS. I went years without knowing what was going on with my body, all the symptoms were there but my doctor just didn’t seem to ever put it together :( Metformin has been good for me. I took 4 pills a day, it started out terrible with diarrhea but once my body got use to it things got better. I’ve gone on a super low carb lifestyle change and have been able to lower my dosage of the metformin. I went on the metformin to help with my blood sugar numbers and as an awesome side effect I not have a regular period for the first time since I was 18!
I’m so glad Metformin is working for you! As I’ve said so many times, what works for me might not work for you…and visa versa! I am glad things are becoming regular for you! I am thinking of starting Met in a lower dose again. I CANNOT do 4 per day- I was beyond sick. But maybe 2? Thanks for commenting!
I started with two a day and worked my way up to the 4. It also made my appetite go away for awhile but once I got use to the dosage and eating normally again things couldn’t be better. We’re currently trying for a baby. We have a miracle baby right now! I guess he’s a toddler, at 16 months…. :( BUT with crazy out of whack periods we shockingly and quite on accident became pregnant with our son. We hope with the help of metformin and ovulating regularly we will have another bundle of joy. Maybe a lower dose will work for you and you can up it from there if needed! Best of luck on that. And a big THANK YOU for posting about PCOS. I’ve just started this journey and it’s wonderful you talk about it so I can follow along, learn more and know I’m not alone!