Metformin/Clomid...

I've been thinking about this and not sure what to do. I have an appt on CD 3 (if I get my period and am not already pregnant) for full bloodwork, sonogram and to discuss starting Metformin and then maybe Clomid the following cycle. I was told that I'd need to abstain from TTC the first month on Metformin. The doc said that based on my symptoms and irregular cycles, he thinks I have PCOS, but will need to confirm it after our next appt. The thing is, is that I do ovulate on my own every cycle. I just sometimes have really long cycles which can be really annoying when TTC. Also, I also received my bloodwork back from my previous obgyn a few weeks ago and everything was within normal limits. This is our 3rd cycle TTC #2. We got pregnant with our daughter very easily. My dilemma is that I have a bad stomach as it is and Metformin scares me. I'm worried that the side effects might effect me caring for my daughter. I'm thinking that maybe I should just ask for Clomid for a couple of cycles and if that's not successful, maybe add Metformin after that. Of course I don't know how that doc feels about that and maybe there's a reason why I should start with Metformin and add Clomid after. So, do you guys think that starting with Metformin is really the best plan? Is there a reason not to try Clomid alone first?

I'm still new to this so any input would be helpful. Thanks!

Re: Metformin/Clomid...

I was in a similar situation to you.

I got pregnant with my son (stillborn) after 5 months of TTC (and that includes my really long cycles). So it was probably only really 3 cycles. So, that's a relatively short period of time to be TTCing. I lost my son and have been TTC since. It has been about 19 months with no luck. I was on Clomid at my regular OB's office. I went to the RE and he put me on Metformin with Clomid. He said he thought I had PCOS but all of my bloodwork was in normal limits (sugars, testosterone). I thought he was just assuming this because I'm overweight. Well, he put me on Metformin with Clomid in October. Since, I had a chemical pregnancy in January and a miscarriage in May. But out of 4 IUIs, 2 of them got me pregnant. Thats more than I can say for the last year of TTC with no success. Even though I lost both pregnancies, at least I was able to get pregnant. Now, in my opinion, that's got to be the Metformin.

I hope this helps. If you need any more info, just FM me. Good luck.

Re: Metformin/Clomid...

I just started Metformin last week. My doctor wants me to try it for three months and see if I start ovulating on my own. I am going back in early september to reevaluate.
I also have a horrible stomach and it really hasn't been terrible. I felt kind of yukky a couple of days last week and had nausea all day on saturday, but it has been nothing debilitating like I was scared of. Right now I am on 1000 mg (500 mg 2x/day)... so we'll see what happens if I have to up the dosage.

I haven't even been able to really TTC because I haven't been ovulating. Its very frustrating.

Re: Metformin/Clomid...

I have PCOS (recently confirmed by sonogram). We are trying naturally for this cycle, but if it doesn't happen, I discussed the next steps with my RE - he is not on the Metformin bandwagon. He doesn't believe that Metformin really increases your chances of a BFP enough to justify the side effects. He said we would try Clomid next, then possibly discuss Metformin if I am interested and then IUIs after that if the Clomid doesn't do it. I was glad to hear this since I've always been terrified of the Metformin side effects!
Good luck whatever you decide...


By the way I have been having 45 day cycles. Which s*cks for TTC LOL.

Message edited 6/18/2007 11:00:46 AM.

Re: Metformin/Clomid...

It took me a long time to get use to the Metformin but in the long run it does help you ovulate normally.

Since you have a bad stomach to begin with start the met slowly and when you can handle it gradually increase the dosage. Good luck!

Re: Metformin/Clomid...

I have pcos and was not O'ing. I started Metformin in November and started O'ing on my own in January. We started ttc in February and I got pregnant in April. If I was not pregnant by June they were going to reevaluate but it wasn't necessary.
I admit Met is not always easy in the begining BUT is well worth it in the end. It also helps prevent m/c in women with pcos. I am still on the Met and will be till I hit the 2nd trimester. I have had to adjust my diet but now I have practically no stomach issues and as long as I drink enough water I have no nausea.
Metformin is not a magical pill you need to work with it for it to help. Eating right will help the medicine work and help keep you healthy. It does not work for everyone but it worked for me. Good luck