It's my understanding that, since PCOS looks to be a possible birth defect or genetic disorder, Metformin may be a "for life" medicine. Is that correct?

It can be a for life thing - but I think that varies very much on your health care provider & your own symptom set. For many women when they get their weight down & keep it down a lot of their symptoms dissappear & so the metformin wouldn't be needed anymore. As well, a lot of doctors only like to use metformin when you are ttc & bcp when you're not - so it can depend on their treatment preference.

Additionally many women with pcos are insulin resistant & are at high risk for diabetes so if metformin isn't for life right now it (or another anti-diabetic) may be if the insulin resistance isn't manage & full blown diabetes develops - & then it is definitely for life.

Did any of that make sense?

Good answer, Lifeguard...I concur. That's what I understand as well.