Metformin and pregnancy loss ????

boa75 · 01-06-2006, 11:22 PM

I have had 4 early pregnancy losses all around 5wks I have been on metformin for 2yrs due to my pcos

I had my last miscarriage on the 9th of december 2005

I have a progestorone absorption problem and on my last Ivf cycle in Dec had Gestone (PIO Support)

I have started researching early pregnancy loss and pcos and found Metformin can cause high homocysteine levels which in turn can causes damage to the lining of the blood vessels. High levels of homocysteine are often found in recurrent miscarriages.

Has anyone come across this or am I reading into to much

thoughts on this much appreciated

deblynnc · 01-07-2006, 04:00 AM

I'm sorry for your losses. I had 3 early m/c's myself, all between 5 and 7 weeks, before finally having a full term pregnancy. I was on Met when I had the last m/c, and then again for the first trimester of my successful pregnancy. It turned out my m/c's were the result of a uterine septum that hadn't shown up on my HSG.

I haven't read any of the research you mentioned. As Fee pointed out, using Met for PCOS is still little understood, and although much research indicates it helps prevent m/c, it may not always be the case. Just because we all have PCOS doesn't mean we will all respond to a treatment the same way.

I also agree with Fee that you should discuss your concerns with your physician. If you are uncomfortable taking Met in your next cycle, then you shouldn't do it.

Have you had testing to determine other possible causes for your losses? There can be genetic causes or uterine abnormalities, among other things. Many of the possible problems can be corrected, or at least managed. I don't know your history, so forgive me if you have already answered these questions in another post.

{{{hugs}}} I hope you can find some answers, and that your next pregnancy is a long, healthy one.

Debbie

SheriKCMO · 01-07-2006, 05:06 AM

I'm very sorry for your losses!

I've only heard about the connection between cysters staying on metformin during the first trimester and the increased likelihood of successfully carrying babies. Your progesterone absorption problem sounds even more complex than most cysters who are able to supplement. In my own case, metformin has allowed me to carry through the first trimesters with the exception of my one early loss, and a cerclage keeps my cervix from dropping them later on. Research needs to determine the hormonal issues in that, too! Progesterone seems to be a huge issue for us.

I wish you the best of luck in figuring out your problems so that your next pregnancies are successful! (((Hugs)))

boa75 · 01-07-2006, 03:29 PM

Hi thanks for all your replies

I spoke with my dr and he agreed that metformin can cause high homocysteine levels but then you are in a difficult situation as to whether you discontinue metformin as then your LH and other hormones go wild and your symptoms of Pcos are back with a vengence.

Also Caffeine raises Homocysteine levels also so I am totally cutting this out.

High Homocysteine levels deplete your folic acid B6 and B12 so he has suggested that I take all of these and daily baby asprin.

He said he could test my homocysteine levels but felt they would certainly come back sky high and as we know the cause we might as well treat anyway

I am to have repeat pregnancy loss bloods taken for other things that can contribute and I WILL be continuing on my Met along with my vits and asprin.

I agree my progestorone is a major problem I didnt absorb pressary form and started to bleed 4dpt with the injectable progestorone I still spotted but it did improve my response.

Can you take to much progestorone??? This is something I have searched information for as I respond well to oral progestorone like provera Northisterone so wondered if I could take oral progestorone as back up to the injections.

Metformin for me was a god send and reduced my cycles from over 100 days to around 35, my acne improved and I did actually spontaiously ovulate so I think it is a wonder drug.

Thanks for all your replies I will let you know if my new drug regeme gives me a healthy full term pregnancy

Sugawallz910 · 01-08-2006, 02:47 PM

I'm sorry to hear about you lost.I was also on Met when I conceived my baby, but was a little nervous about being on it while pregnant. It seem 5 days after I chose to end my dosage of Met I started spotted which was the on set of a m/c. It has taken we along time to deal with the fact that it was most likely my fault that I lost my child. I wish I would have done more research on it before i made that decision. I hope everything works out for you.

VivC · 01-08-2006, 07:39 PM

Boa, I'm sorry for your loss. I believe that, in most cysters, met works to reduce the likelihood of M/C.

But, it makes sense that if you're predisposed to high homocysteine, if might push a pregnancy in the wrong direction.

Have you had recurrent loss testing? With the help of that, several of our mommies have been able to carry later babies full-term.

((hugs)),

Viv