If I have polycystic ovaries(which I do) and am taking Metformin, What are my chances of getting pregnant?

Question

I had a miscarriage about three years ago. My husband and I have been trying ever since(3 years). Recently, I was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries and found out that I miscarried because of it. I started taking Metformin for the Polycystic ovaries about a week ago, I know it takes a couple of months to completely work, so of course, I am going to continue to take it until my Doctor says otherwise. I was just wondering, besides the three months or so it takes for the Metformin to work, how long will it take me to get pregnant? And also, will my doctor suggest fertility drugs after the three months on the Metformin or will he wait until we see any results? I know this is alot to ask, so any educated answers, or any help at all will be greatly appreciated. After three years, I am desperate to become pregnant and I feel this is the time to do something about it. Thank you very much for any help--Alanna/21

Answer 1

I understand what a shock it is to learn that the PCOS caused a miscarriage, but I also know what a joy it is when you fall pregnant after having it severely. I was unlucky, I not only got PCOS, but got endometriosis as well. My doctor was going to put me on the Metformin, but never got a chance to start it. My girlfriend was only on the metformin for a month when she unexpectedly fell pregnant. Stop worrying about whether you will have a baby or not, and just make love for fun, it will make it easier to fall pregnant, because you won't be putting the stress on your body that you NEED to fall pregnant.
All I can say is good luck with it all, but miracles do happen, I'm 10 weeks pregnant with a very healthy baby, and my body naturally cleared out the cysts off my ovaries in preparation for the baby. Keep your chin up and stay positive.

Answer 2

Metformin is a blood sugar medicine. It just helps your blood sugar metabolize the way that it should. It doesn't help with the ovaries exactly, because insulin resistance (which is what the metoformin is for) is a common problem with PCOS. The metformin helps reduce the amount of insulin released, which when too much is released can cause a lot of testosterone, interfering with your ovaries. But JUST taking the metformin will not do a miracle on the ovaries.

Below is a good article that I just found that explains the relationship between the two. Good luck.

Send me a message if you need, I'm on it and I have the same problem.

Answer 3

Metformin is used for diabetics & those with PCOS to control there insulin levels cause most with PCOS are insulin resistant. Metformin will NOT help you get pregnant (your doctor should of explained this to you). You should be taking clomid or something that will help....cause Metformin is not used as a medication to help you get pregnant....and Metformin doens't always work.....I took it for a 3 months & had to stop cause it made me so sick to my stomach (I was on 1500 mg a day)

Answer 4

Many women with PCOS are insulin-resistant and therefore take Metformin to improve this condition (I'm on it also). When your insulin levels are balanced, your other hormones are more likely to balance out, and you'll be more likely to ovulate (which many women with PCOS do not). I'm on a mesage board for women with PCOS who are trying to get pregnant and have been told that Metformin can increase the chance of ovulation 8x. It doesn't work for all women, so after you've been on it for a few months, your dr. will need to check if you're ovulating (by checking progesterone levels late in your cycle and/or doing an ultrasound). If you're not, the most common drug that women with PCOS are given to induce ovulation is Clomid. It's taken for about 5 days at the beginning of your cycle and is supposed to induce ovulation. There are different dosages, the most common to start off at is 50mg. If that doesn't work, after a few cycles, your dr. will probably increase the dosage to 100mg and then 150mg. Dependence has been shown for women who are on it for longer than 6 months, so if it hasn't worked for you by that time, your dr. might add another drug to it or put you on injectables. If you're put on it, your dr. will probably also monitor you while you're on it as it can case hyperstimulation of your ovaries (some dr's don't, you'd have to discuss it with him/her). As with many fertility drugs, there is a higher chance of multiples with Clomid. However, Clomid is one of the cheapest fertility drugs at about $25-$50 (depending on name brand or generic) for 5 pills.

As for miscarriage, I've recently learned that the chance of a miscarriage occurring in someone with PCOS is 1:2 whereas in "normal" women, it's 1:5. There are different reasons for this. One is that the progesterone level can drop during pregnancy, leading the body to think its not pregnant anymore. Another reason is that women with PCOS often have long/irregular cycles. Therefore, the endometrium lining is thicker than usual, making it easier to miscarry.

Yahoo! Groups has some really good groups for women with PCOS, including ones specifically for women who are trying to conceive. If you're interested, you can contact me to get the names. I'm active on two particular boards and have learned SO much in just a matter of months. Since everyone is going through basically the same thing, it's nice to know there are women out there who are going through the same thing or have gone through it and can provide insight or advice (or at the very least can be supportive). If you're interested in joining, you can contact me and I can give you the info.

Good luck!

Answer 5

you should talk to your doctor...maybe there's another reason you can't get pregnant

Answer 6

METFORMIN is for Diabetics.. I know because I take it.. you must mean something else.