Doctors Recommend Therapy for PCOS

There is always a TON of questions about Metformin and how it can help treat Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

So what is it and how can it help?

Let's find out...

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is a combination of signs and symptoms which often indicate many other underlying conditions. Higher levels of androgens and insulin, obesity, Hirsutism (hair growth in uncommon locations), infertility, and irregularity in menstrual cycle are some of them. Most of the drugs prescribed to women with PCOS aim at treating the symptoms and thus minimize the overall effect of the syndrome.

Many doctors prescribe Metformin for PCOS treatment. Currently, it is one of the most commonly used drugs for treating PCOS. But originally it was a drug for treating diabetes and it has been in use for over 30 years. Using Metformin is a relatively new practice but it has shown to be very effective for many women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Metformin works by helping the body to use insulin more efficiently. It controls the production of excessive glucose in the liver and makes the body's cells absorb more glucose. This decreases insulin resistance. Hyperinsulinemia or insulin resistance is common in PCOS patients. So, Metformin can be effective in reducing the effects of these two conditions and thus alleviate many of the adverse effects of PCOS. This makes Metformin particularly helpful for obese women with PCOS as they often struggle with losing weight and Metformin helps achieve this end.

Long term use of Metformin also lowers the risk of diabetes and heart diseases which is quite common in PCOS patients. However, it has been stated that Metformin does not lower blood sugar levels when taken on its own. It works well only when taken in combination with other anti-diabetic drugs. Diet modifications and exercise are equally important.

Excessive amounts of insulin in the body is also linked to increased levels of androgens (male hormones). So, Metformin for PCOS treatment also helps control the levels of androgens. Infertility in PCOS patients is caused due to malfunctioning ovaries that either do not ovulate or ovulate irregularly because of the effect of excess androgens. Metformin helps to reduce the androgen levels by controlling insulin production, it also proves to be helpful in restoring ovulation. This makes Metformin a useful drug in treating Polycystic Ovary Syndrome induced infertility. It is believed to be generally safe during pregnancy but there has not been enough research to support this belief completely. Always consult your GYN physician.

Because of its effects on androgen levels, long term use of Metformin can also help control hirsutism but it is not prescribed specifically for this reason.

Though Metformin has not been reported to have any major risk factors, there are a few side effects that occur in 20% to 30% of cases. Here are the most common to consider:

Nausea
Diarrhea
Cramping
Flatulence
Abdominal discomfort

These side effects normally disappear within the first few weeks of starting Metformin.

The dose of Metformin for PCOS is increased only gradually to minimize the side effects. It is normally started with a dose of 500mg once a day and gradually increased to higher doses as per the requirement.

In rare cases Metformin can cause lactic acidosis as a side effect.

There are some contraindications that need to be considered while prescribing Metformin for PCOS. It should not be prescribed to patients with:

Kidney damage
Severe liver disease
Alcoholism

Metformin in generic form is available over the counter. But as with all drugs, it is advisable to always consult a physician before taking this medicine. While using Metformin the patient must see the doctor regularly, follow all the guidelines and be aware of any changes or side effects that they might experience.