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PCOS AND METFORMIN – IS THIS TREATMENT RIGHT FOR YOU? LAST UPDATED ON JUNE 20, 2016 BY ALISA — 12 COMMENTS [ADDTOANY]
Here at Flo Living headquarters I speak with many women suffering with PCOS who have either been offered Metformin and decided against it or have tried Metformin and it’s not worked for them. If you have a diagnosis of PCOS it’s very likely that
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at some point your doctor has suggested Metformin. I personally was what would be considered the “perfect” candidate for this
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treatment when I was in my 20s and suffering with PCOS – overweight, struggling with acne and a complete lack of periods. However, I never tried it myself – instead I created a protocol for myself that became Flo Living. I’ve since helped many women manage their PCOS successfully with this protocol, just as I did my own diagnosis. That said, I speak with women so often about the Metformin option that I want to share my perspective with you. Although I do not dismiss the option completely, I do have some caveats and concerns.
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What is Metformin?
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Metformin is a first-line medication for those suffering with type 2 diabetes. It is
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also presented as a treatment for PCOS sufferers who are also overweight or
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obese. Not all PCOS sufferers have weight gain as a symptom, it depends on the kind of PCOS. Women with the kind of PCOS that causes weight gain are usually insulin resistant. Metformin reduces overall insulin levels. Insulin resistance is when the cells of your body become resistant to the hormone insulin, preventing glucose from entering your cells to be used for energy, and instead causing soaring levels of sugar blood stream bringing about diabetes, pre-diabetes or insulin-resistant PCOS. The connection between insulin and PCOS is blood sugar regulation. We hear about this most commonly with diabetes, but it’s also very important with PCOS. An unstable, constantly spiking and crashing, blood sugar prevents ovulation – this causes symptoms and conditions like infertility, depression, anxiety, acne, and weight gain. For PCOS suffers, Metformin is often prescribed alongside the
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birth control pill to manage symptoms. Both only mask symptoms as band-aid solutions and do not address the root cause. Should I take Metformin?
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Most of the research studies that have examined Metformin as a treatment for PCOS show differing and conflicting results. This is probably because Metformin is given to women with a PCOS diagnosis regardless of the kind of PCOS they have and regardless of whether they’ve been properly diagnosed (some women are diagnosed with PCOS when they actually have a different
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condition – you need both a blood test and ultrasound to confirm). Insulin resistant PCOS is very, very common, but it’s not what every woman has. Women with insulin resistant PCOS will also have been told they are prediabetic or borderline diabetic and be overweight or obese. SEXY FLO
What can you expect if you take Metformin? Metformin is not a miracle medication (unfortunately there are NO miracle drugs). If you take it you will not instantly see an end to your symptoms and drop all the weight you have gained. If you have been diagnosed as prediabetic and you want to move away from this diagnosis as quickly as possible,
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then you could decide to take Metformin. This might be the case if you are hoping to get pregnant. Entering pregnancy with insulin resistant PCOS and pre-diabetes will unfortunately set you up for increased risk for gestational diabetes, increased pregnancy weight gain and the worsened health risks that go along with that, having a bigger baby, and therefore higher likelihood of
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Guidelines if you choose to take Metformin I only recommend you take Metformin within these guidelines – Take Metformin as a short term triage for a pre-diabetes diagnosis. Start taking Metformin already knowing your exit plan from this treatment. Simultaneously change your diet and lifestyle to improve insulin resistance (including strictly managing your blood sugar levels and sugar intake, and increasing exercise to lose weight). You may lose some weight if you do both, and you should lose your pre-diabetic status within this timeframe. Start the Flo Living protocol so that when you go off Metformin you do not slide back to your previous lifestyle habits, regain the weight, and go back to the pre-diabetic state. The Flo Living protocol will alleviate symptoms of PCOS long term and support regular ovulation and regular periods. It will also prevent sugar cravings, manage your blood sugar levels, and help you to lose the weight. It’s important to note that I have worked with many women for whom Metformin has not worked at all. They’ve taken it, experienced the side effects, and seen no improvement in their condition – the PCOS or the symptoms of PCOS. I would highly recommend regulating your blood sugar levels with the Flo Living protocol and prepping your body for a healthy, happy pregnancy ahead of time, instead of taking the Metformin route. The side effects of Metformin Even if Metformin does not work for you, it can still cause side effects. The most common side effects are stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Metformin is not recommended for women with liver disease which is a real problem as many PCOS sufferers have what is known as “fatty liver” – not liver disease, but has similar aspects. Research has also connected Metformin with brain and cognitive impairment.
Women’s success stories post-Metformin with the Flo Living protocol As I said, I’ve helped many women who have tried Metformin and found it did not help them as they hoped to then come off, manage their PCOS, lose weight, reverse their pre-diabetes, and get pregnant. “Both doctors immediately recommended prescription drugs as an antidote to resolve this issue and prescribed Metformin. Within two days of taking it, I developed severe symptoms and side effects that impacted my GI tract and well being. I knew I needed a change and was willing to seek alternate therapies. I attended a Flo Living seminar. After applying the principles that I learned, I have had my period ever since AND…drum roll…my hormonal level are completely balanced and my diagnosis of PCOS was reversed!” – Judith “I’ve had acid reflux, heal pain, irregular periods, and basically I’m a sugar addict. I have also had a hard time dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression. This program has taught me how to eat and helped me get off medication. I was on Metformin for PCOS, which I’ve stopped taking since starting my program, and I got my period this morning for the second month in a row! Sometimes I’d gone for years without getting my period, so this is incredible. I’ve lost almost 2 sizes – my old size 22s don’t fit at all. I’m now wearing a 20 and soon it will be an 18, since the 20s are a bit big. I signed up for the 3 month program and just decided to extend it for another 2 months since I really want to stay on track and learn more.” – Micki Always remember, that once you have the right information about how your body really works, you can start making health choices that finally start to work for you! You can do this – the science of your body is on your side! to your FLO, Alisa Good things come in threes:
I want to hear from you! First, have you tried Metformin? Second, have you recently been diagnosed as pre-diabetic? Third, everyone you know is hormonal – spread a little good ovary karma and share this article on social
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Filed Under: Birth Control, Fertility, PCOS, Period
Comments
Zabelisa says June 21, 2016 at 10:32 am My daughter (27) has been diagnose with PCOS – she has bad acne, no periods and little cysts but not too much weight issues). They started her on metformin about a year ago and now taking a “mild” birth control pill. Her symptoms are still there. I recommended that she try egulating her hormones naturally but she gets overwhelmed by complicated regimen. She takes chromium, Berberine, maca and not sure what else. Exercise does wonders but hard to maintain. Do you have any suggestions for a simple approach? She eats fairly healthy but seems to suffer from overactive adrenals… Her pupils have been dilated ever since she was about 4 or 5. I do;n’ think that’s normal. Adaptogens might be a good idea too but like I said,if it becomes too complicated, she gves up. Reply
georgette alvarez says June 21, 2016 at 11:31 am Can I safely do the 4-day hormone detox plan while pregnant? I am 27 weeks pregnant and have lots fo sugar cravings. Reply
Alisa says June 27, 2016 at 11:09 pm Hi Georgette, Well congratulations!!! Please do not cleanse while pregnant or nursing! Make sure that you are having enough protein, fats and complex carbs – try to intuit what it is your body is actually asking for. Alisa Reply
Maxine Roff says June 21, 2016 at 4:52 pm Hi Alisa, Thank you for this article about Metformin – I have been thinking about it a lot lately and it’s come at a great time. I have been on Metformin for about 2 and a half years because of insulin resistance. I am not overweight but went on it to manage blood sugar levels and help my skin. I want to come off it though, because I was told I’d have to be on it forever or I’d get diabetes. I believe that with my healthy lifestyle I could manage without the drug. In terms of coming off Metformin, what would be the best way to do it? I’m travelling at the moment (April til December) so I’m changing countries fairly often but maintaining my nutrition and exercise. It’s okay if you can’t dish out free advice. Just want to know the best way to get off the meds because I certainly don’t think I need them forever! I’m only 29. Thanks for all your amazing work and for Woman Code – greatest book ever. Reply
Charity Agyeiwaah says June 21, 2016 at 9:28 pm I was diagnosed of pcos in 2014 after trying to fall pregnant with no success. I was put on clomid which did not work so the doctor prescribed metformin and clomid together. My experience was not too good as I ended up in the hospital for hyper ovarian stimulation. After a year or so on the metformin I refused to take it any more due to the fact that my blood sugar test came back negative. None of these meds worked for me as I didn’t loose any weight and didn’t get pregnant as well. But since I have been following ur few tips here and there I have dropped 5 kilos already which is amazing. Although I haven’t fallen pregnant I still have faith in God that all things will work together for my good as I am still waiting. I may not have the money to go on ur protocol but I just want you to know the few tips your giving me is putting me on the right path. I am grateful to have come across ur website through someone. Your friend from Australia. Reply
Alisa says June 29, 2016 at 3:48 pm Hi Charity, I am so happy the info you have gotten here has helped you! Alisa Reply
Willow says July 18, 2016 at 5:07 pm I’m 35, and have been TTC for nearly a decade. I’ve gotten pregnant twice – once before my PCOS diagnosis & metformin, and in April of this year. Both ended in early miscarriages… In the 3 years since my diagnosis and going on metformin, I’ve dropped 130lbs, and resumed regular menstruation and ovulation. I’ve gone from a size 26/28 to 14/16(US), and I’m still loosing. A big help to me was the discovery of my wheat allergy. Wheat was causing major inflammation and stopped my body from doing anything except gaining weight. Once I stopped eating wheat, I stopped 80lbs in 6 months… I still have 4550lbs until I’m at a healthy weight for my hight and musculature, and I want to get off metformin (I hate pills/medicine anyway), but I don’t have the tools (or money to obtain them) to do so. I guess I’m a partial PCOS/metformin success story. Reply
Willow says July 18, 2016 at 5:15 pm I forgot to mention that I’ve completely changed how I eat. I went from the SAD to paleo/primal. I avoid soy at all costs now, and corn since it makes me slow (mentally & physically), and if course wheat, but I also limit dairy (it inflames my eczema), legumes, nuts & seeds (lectins). I usually limit fruit, too, because of sugar, but it was a major craving during my recent pregnancy, and I haven’t quite given it up again yet. Reply
Alisa says July 19, 2016 at 11:58 am Hi Willow, Wow, so inspiring! Thank you for sharing! Keep doing the great work you are and keep learning about your body and how to care for it. There is so much healing that we can control! Alisa Reply
Sadie says July 28, 2016 at 11:10 am Is there a correlation between having PCOS and having a short lived milk supply while trying to breastfeed? Reply
Ava says November 23, 2016 at 12:51 pm I have both endometriosis and pcos and fibroids and ovarian cyst. I have been reading your articles. Will the vitex make my systems worst. I was taking it to help my symptoms and trying to ovulate. I am 34 and I don’t have children so really wanted one. I am not over weight either. But have weight on my stomach Reply
Alisa says November 28, 2016 at 9:13 am Hi Ava, I would highly recommend looking at the deeper issues that underlay these issues first. I would support your liver with Milk Thistle, drink plenty of water, and introduce a lot of dark leafy greens. I would be hesitant to start right up with Vitex. Alisa Reply
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