Metformin and IVF ?

Kathy32 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-15-2005, 06:20 AM

Hi - i have pco and no insulin issues but have been put on metformin 1x a day to help my chances this cycle - i am doing my first IVF cycle after 4 failed iui cycles. If i don't have insulin problems what exactly does the met do? I know i should have asked the RE, but i was overwhelmed w/ all my new meds , etc. Thanks

miskitty27 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-15-2005, 06:27 AM

I am not sure what Met does, however my dr put me on it, but mine starts out once a day for a week and then goes to twice a day then three pills a day (two in morn and one in even). My dr says that it helps with your cycles so that you will have them on time. I am also going to be on clomid next cycle, so with both meds I should have a better chance.

Star622 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-15-2005, 06:43 AM

Studies have shown that women taking met have an increase chance in becoming pg. Having PCOS also increases one's chance of having a m/c, and met can reduce this risk.

Many physicians tell their patients that insulin values are normal, when in fact the value indicates that insulin may be playing a role in stimulating the development of PCOS. Most labs report levels less than 25-30 miu/ml as normal, while in fact, levels over 10miu/ml on a fasting blood sample suggests that PCOS may be related to hyperinsulinism. As women with polycystic ovary syndrome may be a greater risk for other medical conditions, testing for cardiovascular risk factors such as blood lipids, homocysteine, CRP and PAI-1 (a blood factor that promotes abnormal clotting) will also be carried out.

Here are some other links.

Met

PCOS

Diabetes Medications. The medicine, Metformin, also called Glucophage, which is used to treat type 2 diabetes, also helps with PCOS symptoms. Metformin affects the way insulin regulates glucose and decreases the testosterone production. Abnormal hair growth will slow down and ovulation may return after a few months of use. These medications will not cause a person to become diabetic.

Fertility Medications. The main fertility problem for women with PCOS is the lack of ovulation. Even so, her husband’s sperm count should be checked and her tubes checked to make sure they are open before fertility medications are used. Clomiphene (pills) and Gonadotropins (shots) can be used to stimulate the ovary to ovulate. PCOS patients are at increased risk for multiple births when using these medications. In vitro Fertilization (IVF) is sometimes recommended to control the chance of having triplets or more. Metformin can be taken with fertility medications and helps to make PCOS women ovulate on lower doses of medication.

I do not have elevated levels, however, my levels are at the higher end of normal. My endocrinologist doesn't like to see them that high and has recently added Actos to my regimen to work with the met.

Something you may want to ask about... taking the 2 pills at breakfast make cause some potty issues. I've been on met twice and this last time my goal was 2000mg. I had been taking 500 at breakfast, lunch and dinner and added that last 500 to dinner. Even after gradually adding small doses, that 1000mg dose caused problems for a short time. I'm fine with it now, but I'm still careful and consider where I'll be after I take it.

I've done 2 fresh ivf cycles. My first cycle was done with gluc. and the second cycle was done without. My clomid cycles were very unpredictable when I was on gluc so we wanted to try one ivf cycle without it. My next cycle will be with gluc.

Good luck! I hope it works for you and the s/e's are minimal. If you have any ivf questions, I'd be glad to help if I can.

Star622 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-15-2005, 06:44 AM

sorry, I used met and gluc throughout my post... I always have just said gluc, but technically it's been met.