Did you know there are several drugs used to increase the chances of conception? And like other medications, metformin was originally developed for specific purposes, such as treating type 2 diabetes. However, its use for other conditions has been discovered over time. Metformin1 to help get pregnant has been linked to insulin resistance that some women may develop even in the absence of diabetes. But do you know how this affects fertility? Let’s take a closer look below!
Metformin to help get pregnant is used in patients with ovulation problems, specifically women with polycystic ovary issues. Some studies from a few years ago found that a woman with polycystic ovaries has a higher probability of developing diabetes, due to significant insulin resistance. For this reason, metformin has since been used as an aid in the treatment of polycystic ovaries. But how and why do polycystic ovaries interfere with pregnancy, and how does metformin help?
Polycystic ovaries2 are multiple eggs up to 6mm that are trapped in the ovaries. These eggs are small initial stimulations that the body could not naturally process and turn into viable follicles for pregnancy, either due to hormonal issues or a temporary condition affecting the ovary.
Having polycystic ovaries does not necessarily mean you have the syndrome — it might occur only once in your life. But women who do have the syndrome (ovaries that constantly appear polycystic) are at higher risk of developing resistance to naturally produced insulin. This does not mean they are diabetic, but they may develop diabetes in the future. Therefore, their ovaries might already reflect this potential issue. Symptoms of polycystic ovaries include:
- Absent menstruation for long periods
- Increased body hair (including on the face)
- Weight gain
- Pimples and acne
- Low sex drive
How to Use Metformin to Get Pregnant?
As mentioned above, metformin to help get pregnant is used only to treat women with polycystic ovaries or who are significantly overweight and want to conceive. Metformin is not an ovulation inducer; it simply helps to clear the ovaries of small “stuck” cysts that may prevent ovulation from occurring3. Use of metformin in these cases should be combined with a diet that properly balances carbohydrates and other nutrients.
The effectiveness of metformin alone as a single treatment for polycystic ovaries depends exclusively on how the body responds and may take around a year to fully clear the cysts from the ovaries, but it is effective in the vast majority of cases. In about 3 cycles after starting treatment, it is possible to see results.
So, remember: metformin is only used in specific cases and always with medical supervision. Do not self-medicate with drugs that could harm your health. Besides being risky, metformin has several side effects such as dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, weight gain or loss, among others. Therefore, a doctor must closely monitor its use.
See also: Polycystic Ovaries – Can You Get Pregnant with This Syndrome?
