Metformin causing Irregular Period, Is this normal??

Mznatural · 11-10-2004, 12:27 PM

My doctor put me on Metformin to see if I will ovulate because I am trying to conceive. Prior to taking Metformin (started w/one 500mg pill once a day on 10/20/04 and am now taking one pill 2x a day since 11/3/04) I hadn't had my period in 2 months (last period 8/16/04). After about 4 days on Metformin I started spotting, very very light and pinkish in color. This continued until I started taking the pills 2x a day last week, after about 2 days of that I started to get mild cramps and have a light period which has yet to stop. So I have been basically bleeding for almost 3 weeks. Is this normal???? I thought the Metformin was supossed to regulate my period and help me ovulate not make it worse.

CathyWood · 11-10-2004, 09:18 PM

Hi Welcome to SC. I am glad you found us. I didn't have problems like that. So i am going to bump this so someone can help you. See you around.

Amazingwoo · 11-11-2004, 10:52 AM

Hi,

Just thought I'd let you know that you're not alone on this - I was initially started on 2 x 500mg of Met a day and after many months of it not working, the doctor said to go up to 3 a day. Within a few weeks I had a non-stop heavy period which to my shock and horror lasted a whole month. Everytime I tried to speak to the doctor I was blocked by the annoying receptionist. Eventually I spoke to my doctor and was told to go back to taking just 2 tablets a day for a fortnight and then on alternate days, take 3 tablets - just to see if my system could handle it. If it could (with no ill effects,) I could go back up to 3 a day which I eventually did.

I'm now on 4 x 500mg a day as this is the dose for me, my AF's are regular as clockwork (never thought I'd be happy to get one of those!!) and the weight is stabilising. Still have outbreaks of spots which at 30, is frustrating!!

I think Met is one of those medications that as everyone is totally different it works on us in very different ways and at varying speeds.

Mznatural · 11-11-2004, 12:42 PM

Thank you ladies for your help and responses. I really appreciate it. I am new to this and am so nervous. I was diagnosed in 1994 at the age of 19 with PCOS and no doctor took it seriously until now. I am desperately ttc, I am getting married in December, have been with my boyfriend for 7 years, he is active duty military and will be deployed late December for 6 months and we were hoping to be pregnant by then. I was so happy about the Met, I haven't had any side effects but am very disappointed and sad at the irregular bleeding, but I will stay positive and hope for the best. Thank you again, I am so glad I found this site and other women like myself to talk to about this.

christyz · 11-11-2004, 02:48 PM

This is pretty common. Your hormones are like a symphony..when one changes, all the rest move around to compensate. Since you're taking Met that changes how your body uses insulin, your hormones are going to take a little time to figure out up from down. I know it's tough, but try to be patient with your body right now. If the bleeding continues past the 3rd month or you start to feel ill or anemic from this, definetly see your Dr.

Also, what you eat can affect how the medicine helps you. The reason is that if ymet is lowering your insulin and your diet is spiking it (high sugar/carbs, little protien), the diet can actually counteract the medicine. I had been on met for 18 months and my periods were still really weird (60+ day cycles). When I started the IR diet and wasn't spiking my insulin with my diet anymore, my periods finally normalized and my bloodwork all took a big drop. Regular cardio exercise really helps lower insulin too.

Good luck!

Angi5779 · 11-11-2004, 05:51 PM

hi,
i'm in the same boat... i started met 8/24/04 500mg 1x a day, then up to 500mg 2x a day, now i take 1000mg 2x a day. i have had one AF exactly a month after i started met (9/24/04), and have had nothing since. i go back to my doc on 11/30 so maybe he'll be able to tell me something. hope it helps to know you're not alone!