TTC with PCOS and Metformin

Hi everyone,

I have been on the website and read your stories many times but never had the courage to actually write something myself.

I am 25 and have been married for just over 1 year. I have PCOS and have been trying to conceive since we got married. I knew it would be harder with PCOS but it is just so frustrating. I have had every test known to man since getting married including blood tests, ultrasounds (internal and external examinations), Hy-Co-Sy (which was so painful), urine tests and everything else I have been asked to have by my specialist just to check everything is ok other than the PCOS.

The good news is every test has come back saying that other than the PCOS I am perfectly fine, the metformin has helped me maintain a normal weight and although I do struggle with facial hair and acne - it is not as bad as in the past and my periods have really started to become regular - coming every 30 - 40 days.

I was charting for a good 6 months but it just got so depressing everytime I went to do a pregnancy test and it came back negative. So I am just trying to chill out and relax a little bit - however, my specialist has said he has no problems putting me on Clomid if I am not pregnant by the new year - I am just unsure what to do. I am desperate for a baby, but is Clomid the right option? Are there other alternatives anyone can recommend that maybe helped them? Or should I just keep trying a little longer with just metformin? I am really confused.

Any advice would be most welcome, thank u in advance!

Eileen

Hi Eileen.

I guess im one of the lucky PCOS suffers, i was diagnosed about 10 yrs ago, this year after heaps and heaps of tests I found out i also suffer insulin resistance. After this i was put on metformin. My husband and i have 2 children,but had been trying for a third for 2 years with no results. after six months on metformin i am now pregnant with bub no 3. I was given a script for Clomid, but since the chance for me having multiples was high we decided to wait a little longer. If i hadnt fallen pregnant before christmas i was going to start clomid in the new year, I know heaps of people that have had success with Clomid and have had happy healthy children, only one has had twins.

I hope this helps, just stay positive

Tan

Hi Tan,

Thank u so much for ur story and congratulations on baby number 3 :) I am trying to stay positive and have decided to stop charting for a few months just to try and think about something other than having a baby!

I think we have decided to leave things until February and if I am not pregnant by then, we will go to see our specialist to try Clomid.

Thank you again for your reply and good luck with your pregnancy!

Eileen

Don't worry. I know its easier said than done.

I was diagnosed with PCOS in early 2005. The doctors were pretty grim about the outcome were I to try to have a child without Clomid and possibly IVF. For a long time I was obsessed with having a baby, it basically consumed me night and day..until about 2 months ago where my focus shifted to having fun instead of being serious about everything 24/4. And thats when it happened for me. I tested twice last week and both came back +. I've since had the pregnancy confirmed by a doctor..and now I'm 6 weeks and 5 days gone. :D

Relax, sometimes things happen when you least expect it. ;)

Hi Eileen,
We are in a similar boat. I always come to this site when I need info (or comfort!) but today has been the first time I have been game to write something!
I am also 25 (as is my DH) and we have been TTC since we got married as well (18 months now). I didn't realise that I had PCOS until I started TTC. I had been on the pill for 5 years and when I came of it, I just literally didn't get my period again. I was having AF maybe once every 4-5 months so I didn't even have a chance to get preg. Throughout childhood, I had always had problems with pains in the stomach and cysts in the ovaries but nothing was ever mentioned about PCOS. I also suffered from anorexia at one stage which I now put down to PCOS. Funny how I can now link so many problems throughout my life to PCOS...
Anyhow, when I first saw my GP, he didn't think anything was wrong with me (ha!) but gave me a referral to a GYN/OB anyway. Waited months to see him and he started me off on Clomid. Had several cycles of that but there was absolutely no result from Clomid. I changed GYN then and went to an IVF clinic because I thought I needed someone skilled in the area of infertility. My GYN then started me on FSH injections. Things worked too well with the FSH. I always got slightly too many dominant follies (even on the lowest possible dose) so each cycle had to be cancelled which was devastating. We had the option of having ovarian drilling or a laproscopy but we chose not to for various reasons. We then moved onto IVF where I have just finished my first cycle of that. I did get a BFP from the BT but I have AF and I am experienced a lot of bleeding and cramping so I am thinking things have not worked for us this time. Find out the result on Wed with another BT but have steeled myself for the worst.
My DH and I have probably not gone down the track most would with PCOS. We have definately moved on each time to more invasive methods and in hindsight, I don't know whether that was the right thing. I would definately recommend that you stay with the metformin if it is helping you though and do give Clomid a try if you don't fall preg soon. Do your research so you know all the pros and cons when options are offered to you - it really helped me. From my research, I know that Clomid does have a really good success rate for those with PCOS and the biggest risk you will face is multiples. In the end though, you need to do what is right for you. Clomid does have some nasty side effects and the mood swings are killers!
My DH and I are going to give IVF one more shot and then we are going to look at natural remedies. At least we have the luxury of a little time on our side which is a bonus.
Good luck though Eileen. It is a tough road this infertility business but I am hoping that one day I will get a reward from it!

Just remember that the increased chance of multiples when taking Clomid is only around 8%. That's still 92% chance of a "single" pregnancy. Both times I conceived on met/clomid combination they were "single" pregnancies.

Hi Brissie Girl,

Thank you for sharing your story - I will keep my fingers crossed for you that you are successful! I was lucky that I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2000, many years before I got married. Even though the doctors typically just put me on the pill to solve everything I had plenty of time to do my research on the internet, read many books and talk to others who were in the same boat as me.

My step-mother who does not suffer from PCOS, but had a large fibroid removed went through IVF and she is now 4 months pregnant. But I do not want to go down that route until we have tried everything else first, because like you said it is a lot more invasive.

I am currently taking 2 1000mg tablets of metformin each day and that has really helped in terms of regulating my periods etc. So I kind of thought that since I was having periods that would equal me getting pregnant :)

I think we will go to the next step of clomid when we see our specialist in February. I wish you good luck and please let me know what the results are on Wednesday - I will be thinking of you!

Good Luck and Best Wishes,

Eileen

hi Eileen,

Thought I would reply to your post, it seems there is a lot of confusion out there, so hopefully this helps.
I also have pcos, im 26 (used to live in sydney), have been married 12 mths and also on metformin for the last 6 mths.... i didnt have an AF for 8mths prior to starting metformin, after going off the pill they just didnt come.... so anyway, 2 months after starting met, i got pregnant and had a miscarriage because of all things, my AF started! Anyway, its been 2 mnths since then and Ive had an AF since, so things look to be on track in that department.
When i saw my specialist endo just after i had the m/c he said a few things which kinda made it all seem ok. Just because you are getting your AF every month doesnt mean you can become pregnant... you need to be ovulating as well (creating the egg) which is different. I was lucky that i got my AF and ovulated and got pg all at the same time... the pregnancy didnt hold though as my dr believes my body just wasnt ready for a baby (not having your AF for 8mths will do that to you i guess).. So im on metformin to regulate my period for another 6mths or so and in that time he thinks i wont have any problems conceiving (here's hopeing). My sister on the other hand doesnt have pcos, gets her AF every month on the dot yet doesnt ovulate... try and figure that one out :)
Chlomid though is a drug used to get you to ovulate.... all it does is help create the egg that is needed to get pg... nothing else. So if you're not sure whether to take it or not i would suggest go for your life.. you have nothing to lose. My dr said i didnt need to take it cause i obviously am ovulating as i got pg... all i need now is time and im sure my body will latch on to a successful pregnancy soon.
Good luck with everything, i hope it all goes well for you. Just listen to what your heart tells you to do.. its always right :) If ever you want to chat, feel free to msg me.

Hi Brissie girl,

I went down the clomid road and thankfully it worked for us the first month I took it! I started on metformin first and that really helped get my AF regular as before that I would only get AF once every few months. I am not overweight or insulin resistant so getting regular AF was the only benefit of taking metformin. However I was still not ovulating so my specialist suggested trying low dose clomid for one month to see if that would make me O. Low and behold it did and DD was conceived that month. I was also one of the lucky ones to not have any nasty side effects from either the met or clomid.

Anyway just thought I would share my experience with you. I wish you the best of luck!!

Just to update you Eileen, my Preg Test results were not good. I actually had a miscarriage over the weekend which was devastating. Everyone says it is good in one sense because at least they know now that I am capable of becomming pregnant but now we have suspicions that our genetics could be playing a part in the fact that we only got 1 blast from 10 emby's and the 1 we did get miscarried. It is a very hard road. I have started back on the pill again though to prepare for the next grueling round of IVF. Hopefully next round will start in early Feb. Can't do anything at the moment as my OBY/GYN is on hols!
Congrats too lis on you pregnancy - that is wonderful news. Hearing the success story's gives hope when it is hard to see sometimes.

Hi Brissie Girl,

I am so sorry to hear your sad news. I cant even imagine what it must be like for you and especially at this time of year - but try to stay positive. Try to relax and enjoy the holidays until February as I know from my own experiences stress is probably one of the worst thins you can do to yourself when you are tring to conceive. Easier said than done! Anyway I hope 2008 will be a better year for you.

Take care,

Eileen

Hi Bella Bee,

Thanks for sharing your story it has really made me feel a lot less scared about using Clomid. I am sorry about your miscarriage but as your specialist said at least you know you are able to get pregnant, so hopefully it will happen again soon!

I think I am definately going to just go for Clomid in February. I have been on Metformin now for about 1.5 years on varying doses - and like you the metformin has helped me have a regular period - but i am not sure about ovulating - i think i have been ovulating because according to my charts i seem to show all the signs. Anyway, I am just trying to relax and not think about it too much until February :)

Hope you have a good Christmas and a Happy 2008!

Eileen

the doctor gave me clomid one a day for 5 days but unsure of when to start it and now he is on holidays ...can anyone remind me?

Depending on your doctor you either start from CD2 or CD3. I was always advised CD3.

hi Eileen,

Good luck with it all, im sure you will have success with the chlomid. As for me, Im just going to relax and enjoy the holidays and whatever happens will happen i guess!!
Its funny how many of us are in the same boat :)
Just wanted to share an amazing experience with you all - I got to witness the birth of my little nephew yesterday and it was amazing - seeing a birth on tv and seeing it with your own eyes are two very different things and it was truly an amazing experience. It has certainly put my mind at ease with regard to hopefully going thru it myself, i know i will be a lot more relaxed!

I was diagnosed with PCOS just over twelve months ago, i also have insulin resistance, i am one of the lucky ones, i ovulate every 27-28 days. I suspect i've had pcos for a long time, but my old GP told me i was needed to lose weight, changed dr's after that, PCOS diagnosed when i went to GYNO. i fell pg with first son on the pill, (can't work that out), it then took three years and three cycles of clomid for second son. we have tried on and off over the last ten years with no success, a few other tries with clomid and then put on metformin and clomid, with no success, in oct. 07 only on metformin (no clomid) i fell pg with our third child, unfortunately, it wasn't to be and i m/c in november at 8W2D. We're now on the TTC again cycle, (or the if it happens, it happens)

I am on Clomid and Met and absolutly love it!! So relax it will be ok.. i 0ed on CD20 with clomid so i was so excited and had no side effects!!!

hi--- thought I'd share my story.
I'm 26 and was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 21. Started trying to actively concieve in 2004. My periods were way off line, wasnt ovulating, and have pretty bad insulin resistance which I've had for years before, undiagnosed- and am extremely overweight, mainly due to the pcos.
I was on metformin from the age of 21, but kept on taking myself off it due to being sick with it. As of 2004 I stuck to it and just had to deal with it.
I was put on clomid and met early 2006. According to blood tests I ovulated every month- days varied though. On my last month of clomid I also had an IUI done- just incase there was a transport problem- even though all other tests, including semen analysis were fine. All attempts failed except for a chemical pregnancy/early miscarriage on my 5th cycle of clomid.
At the suggestion of my FS, we proceeded onto my first round of IVF. Very expensive, both emotionally, phsically and money wise.
I had 24 follicles, 18 mature eggs removed. Only 7 fertilised, 5 made it to transfer day- but only 1 was good enough to put in- none frozen. I started bleeding boxing day and had to go and have my blood test the day after.

Anyways- I decided we were just going to have fun and stop trying and told my FS that his idea of another round of IVF straight away was not going to happen, so much so I went back on the pill. I tried to skip a period and had break through bleeding so I came off it. 6 weeks later I had a positive pregnancy test- and am currently 26 weeks pregnant....

Guess the thing to learn is is that everyone is different....
all the best with TTC, just make sure whatever decision you make is the right one for you.

After 4 years TTC DH and I finally got a BFP after 3 cycles of clomid. We had actually been told that clomid was not for us as i had really long cycle lengths then the month after I stopped i got pregnant. I was on Clomid and metformin and had no real problems. Only advice would be try and keep weight down as this is a major factor in PCOS and infertility. I lost 5 kg and it made all the difference. It dosn't matter if your very overweight or not.

Hi everyone,

I have managed to bring my appointment forward with my specialist - so I will see him tomorrow! My husband and I have decided to go for Clomid when we speak to Dr Eden tomorrow, so fingers crossed it will work out for us.

Thanks to everyone who replied and shared their stories and I will keep you informed how everything goes!

Good Luck to all of you TTC.

Eileen

Hi Eileen,

I was dignosed with PCOS early 2005 at the age of 21. We were trying to fall pregnant at the time. My specialist started me on treatment, we went through a lot of diffent treatments for months, she then started me on metformin and clomid and in the last treatment before she started me on FSH injections i fell pregnant. I now have a healthy little girl who is 15 months old. We are booked in to see a specialist again in a few weeks to start treatment to try for another one. I was quite sick on the metformin/clomid but it was worth it in the end.
Good luck with your treatment.