Is this the typical way for starting treatment for PCOS?

Ok, at my first appt with the doc last week, he said that based on my symptoms and charts, he was 99% sure that I have PCOS. I need to go in on CD3 (if I'm not pregnant this cycle) for bloodwork and a sonogram. He said that he wants to start me on Metformin and I should abstain from TTC that first cycle, then we will probably try Clomid the following cycle.

I'm just wondering if that's typical protocal. I know of people that went right to Clomid instead of the Metformin/Clomid combination. Is the Metformin more for my symptoms of PCOS? I do ovulate every cycle on my own, its just that I have very irregular and sometimes long cycles.

Thanks!

Re: Is this the typical way for starting treatment for PCOS?

I dont ovulate at all and they did not put me on metformin. They are starting me on clomid to see if that will get me to ovulate. I thought that metformin was only if you had a problem with glucose.

Re: Is this the typical way for starting treatment for PCOS?

I was started on Clomid alone by my regular GYN. After 3 months of that not doing anything for me, I went to an RE and he has me on Metformin alone. In a few months, he said he may add Clomid. I do not have any Glucose problems. There is a ggod chance that Metformin can help those with PCOS even if there are no glucose issues.

Message edited 6/9/2007 7:06:23 PM.

Re: Is this the typical way for starting treatment for PCOS?

I got pregnant using Metformin alone. I had regular cycles but they were mostly annovulatory . Once on Met my cycles were regular and ovulatory. I had no need for Clomid but that was the next step. Good luck

Re: Is this the typical way for starting treatment for PCOS?

My doctor is putting me on metformin also. I just ended provera, so when AF comes I will start the met.

The way my dr. explained it to me, I am not ovulating because my hormones are reversed of the way they should be. She said "the switch is flipped" the wrong way. The goal of the metformin is to get the "switch to flip the right way." It has nothing to do with a glucose problem... I think the confusion that comes in with that is that metformin is also a diabetes med - aka glucophage.
Clomid forces your body to ovulate, but doesn't address the overlying symptoms, which is what metformin does (hopefully!)

Re: Is this the typical way for starting treatment for PCOS?

Re: Is this the typical way for starting treatment for PCOS?

Hmmmm...are you overweight?
Generally, if you are either overweight or have high blood sugar, they will try metformin alone to see if you ovulate on your own.
They usually prefer not to put you on Clomid as it thins out your lining over time.

Re: Is this the typical way for starting treatment for PCOS?

I am about 25 lbs overweight and I do have many PCOS symptoms. I guess that's what the Metformin is supposed to help with. I do ovulate on my own every cycle, so that's why I was confused. I guess the Metformin will be to regulate my cycle and help with the symptoms, but what would the Clomid be for?

Re: Is this the typical way for starting treatment for PCOS?

Clomid would be to give you more and/or better quality follicles or eggs with each cycle. It does thin out the lining over time, though and also increases your chances of cysts in the ovaries so Metformin would be preferred as it's more "natural".

Re: Is this the typical way for starting treatment for PCOS?

I'm overweight and my first cycle my doctor put me on Metformin and Clomid.

Good luck to you!

Re: Is this the typical way for starting treatment for PCOS?

My doctor started me on the same thing. Metformin first to see if I ovulate and in a couple of months if it's not working she would give me clomid. The metformin sometimes takes a while for it to kick in to your system and will eventually help you ovulate. Good luck!

Re: Is this the typical way for starting treatment for PCOS?