Birth Control or Metformin?

  • Hey Ladies,

    I have been diagnosed with PCOS for maybe a year and half to two years. I am so confused about this syndrome. I am trying to read up on it. I posted some questions before and didnt get much response. I would really like any input you all could give. It help me feel like I am not alone in this. It is the main reason I am here. My Endo had given me Metformin at one point and the dosage was too high. I felt horrible on it. I would feel Hypoglycemic. Eventually I stopped taking it. My Gyno prescribed BCP. Well, after looking at this site and info from my primary Dr I shouldn't be taking BOTH of these.
    Anyway, I started back BCP tonight.

    What do you take? Is BCP enough?

    I am taking Low-Ogestrel Tablets. Generic for Lo-Ovral. Anyone take anyting similar to this?

    I would like to take BCP that help with weight loss.

    Please, any suggestions or input would be appreciated.

    Thank you
  • Sorry, I currently don't take BCP but am going to talk to my gyn about it next week. My endo switched me to actos+met but I am just starting it.

    Did you talk to your endo about what other meds you might be able to take or if the BCP would interfere?
  • I hate being on the pill. I hate, hate, hate it. It gives me bad side effects.

    We're not ttc right now, but I'm BFing. I don't like the extra meds for me, let alone if it passed to DD, so I'm not taking Met right now either.

    I'm in a different position, as it seems BFing has really stabalized my hormones, more than BCP or Met ever did. Perhaps they need to find a way to mimic that in a pill?

    If you like being on the pill, then that would be a good option for you.
  • Hi, I am also on Lo-Ovral and also 2000mgs of Metformin daily ...I go to an Endo and she obviously wouldnt put me on both if there was a problem, I also am not TTC though ...I feel fine on both however I am also diabetic...

    Did she have you on the extended release met? that seems to have less side effects and usually tolerated better ...
  • Thanks Ladies!
    Thanks for your input!

    I am making an appointment to see my Endo later in the week or next week. I just wanted to see what works for other people. And I don't want to be overmedicated or taking anything that would serve no purpose for me.

    Jennylou: what is BFing? I am so new to the scene. I need a little lesson on the shorthand lol I know tcc is trying to conceive (right?) Anywho, at this point I will give anything, within reason, a good ole fashioned try!

    Satine: Does the Lov-Ovral BCP and Metformin effect your weight loss at all?? I checked the Metformin and it isnt rapid release. I looked for the XR on it... When I see the Endo I will see if he wants to put me back on Metformin and then at that point I will find out if I am going the XR route.

    Thanks again for your help!!
  • lol, BFing is breast feeding. ttc is trying to conceive.
  • Speaking as a diabetic . . .

    It is very unusual for Metformin to cause a hypoglycemic response because it works by making your cells more able to uptake glucose instead of a lot of meds which work to cause your pancreas to produce more insulin . . . it's the excess insulin which causes the blood glucose level to drop too low.

    The usual side-effects from Metformin are usually very mild and mostly gas or 'runny-tummy-syndrome'.

    Did you discuss the hypo-like problems with the doctor . . . there may be another explanation.

    Good luck.
  • I take BCP and that is all I need really to help with my PCOS symptoms. I don't have high glucose levels but just the opposite. Between a good diet and the BCP, my PCOS is pretty much under control.
  • Athena - taking both the met and lo ovral has not affected my weight loss, if anything I would say it has helped it ...I have lost 34 pounds since the end of December ...I have been on the lo ovral since I was 18 and am now 33.
    And I some mild side effects with the Met XR, but just stomach related, had a little appetite, gassy, and diareah (sp) ...but that went away after a few weeks and all has been good.
    Good luck !!
  • I take the met - I am ttc. I have not found the met has had much effect so far - but it's only been just over a month.

    I personally will not try bcp again. I went through several different types in my late teens/early twenties, all with bad side effects. I definitely do attribute to them, at least as a catalyst, to my weight & depression. So after we have our family (if that ever happens) I will have to reevaluate & decide on the best course of action to control the pcos. I don't want diabetes and that is my biggest reason for controlling the pcos long term.