hey all--i just wanted to introduce myself and ask for some advice...as mentioned in the pcos'er bios thread, i have been dealing with pcos since i was 14 (16 years ago). over the years, my doctors have always told me that i should wait to take metformin until i want to try to have kids given that there are no studies about the long-term effects of metformin on non-diabetic women. i currently am not in a relationship, but i do want to do the family thing someday. in the meantime, i continue to struggle with my weight (and it seems to be getting more difficult as i get older), and the other usual symptoms (including depression and hypothyroidism). so does anyone by chance have any advice about taking metformin when not ttc? my apologies if this question has been addressed before, but i really appreciate any help...thanks!!!

I was told the same thing by my doctor. She told me if I ever wanted to have kids that they'd take me off of BC pills, then see if I got pregnant and if not, then they'd put me on something like metformin. Do you take BC pills? Even if you are single, I'd definitely try that because they have really helped me. Also a good diet where you avoid sugars/processed foods should help as well.

Nelie, my doc said the same exact thing and even went so far as to say that by staying on the BCP's (which in turn helped me get my weight down), I am essentially perserving my fertility. It has been an incredible tool in helping me find symptom relief.

thanks for your replies, ladies...i have, in fact, been on bcp (yasmin, specifically) since i was diagnosed 16-ish years ago. i also take spironolactone. i am just wondering what else i can do--and i know (intellectually, at least) that i should probably do the low-carb diet thing, but i'm a semi-vegetarian (i eat fish, eggs and dairy, but no meat), and have a serious sweet tooth (not to mention the emotional eating thing), so it feels overwhelming. i have been stalled out in the 160s/170s now for several years, and my cholesterol and triglycerides are not so fabulous. anyhoo, sorry to vent, and thanks so much--i really appreciate your messages. hope you have a v. happy wednesday!

If it makes you feel any better, I lost weight by a diet *very* high in fruits and veggies and legumes. I did stay away from pastas and breads until I got close to maintenance, though, although whole grains now make more regular appearances. I fully agree with Nelie, that decreasing your consumption of simple and refined carbs and sugars can make a significant improvement.

I'm taking metformin and have no plans on conceiving. I can't take bcp's they make me psycho. I'm trying to eat less refined carbs and more protein veggies and a bit of fruit. Maybe talk to you Dr. again.

Hi there. I am also taking metformin (for about 2 months now). I didn't know I had PCOS until I went off BC and ttc. 7 months later I went to the doctor and she put me on metformin and told me I would probably conceive with the help of that and weight loss. I don't know if that's any help, but my doctor explained metformin to me as something that would incrase my chances of conceiving greatly. Hope that helps!

My doctor also prescribed Metformin as an aid to assist with conceiving. I love that it curbs my appetite.