How Can Metformin Help With Pregnancy Outcomes?
PCOS is thought to be the main cause of infertility. The diabetes medication metformin is one way to treat the symptoms of PCOS and help to improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy.
Understanding PCOS and How To Manage It
A distressing and all-too-common condition affecting women of reproductive age is an endocrine disorder called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Young women can find this a distressing disorder.
The cause of PCOS is abnormally high male sex hormones, known as androgens.
PCOS can affect your menstrual cycle, lead to weight gain and excess fat around your waist, abnormal facial and body hair, and acne.
There has been a lot of research into how best to treat PCOS, especially during pregnancy, including with metformin, a treatment for type 2 diabetes.
How Exactly Do Metformin and Pregnancy Go Together?
An approach to PCOS and fertility issues is to first begin with lifestyle management.
Lifestyle management can include diet, sugar intake and exercise programs to control weight, as well as managing sleep deprivation and helping you kick habits that can exacerbate PCOS.
Treatment can involve ovulation-inducing drugs. In some cases, prescribing a diabetes drug “Metformin” to improve your chances of ovulation and falling pregnant is a possibility.
Metformin in pregnancy has had proven results when it comes to managing women with PCOS. The reason for this is that Metformin relieves insulin resistance and PCOS is associated with insulin resistance.
Often patients with PCOS develop other conditions, including diabetes, pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, miscarriage, or premature delivery, so managing your symptoms is crucial for a healthy pregnancy.
When Should Metformin Be Considered?
Studies into the use of Metformin and trying to fall pregnant have found that the drug has limited benefits when prescribed initially in the first trimester. However, women who have prescribed metformin before conceiving and through the majority of their pregnancy had fewer complications, such as gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension.
It is also believed that the use of Metformin in pregnancy may reduce the risk of early miscarriage
Achieving a Successful Pregnancy with PCOS
If you have PCOS, it’s important to get your condition under control before you try to fall pregnant.
Aside from helping you to manage lifestyle-related issues, sometimes a discussion about the potential benefits of Metformin and pregnancy can be helpful.
Metformin is generally thought to be safe during pregnancy and may well help you to conceive, have a healthy pregnancy, and reduce the risk of an underweight or overweight baby.
Your Next Step
Dr Alexander can talk to you in detail about managing PCOS or addressing women’s health issues relating to infertility.
Dr Alexander can offer advice on a possible diagnosis, further investigations and suitable treatment. Arrange an appointment now for peace of mind and body.
For patients suffering from painful periods, we would advise that you see your general practitioner and possibly obtain a referral to see Dr Alexander at www.alexalexander.com.au