New here, question about regaining normal menstrual cycle

bee2009 · 03-12-2009, 08:58 PM

Hi everyone... I was diagnosed with PCOS in January 09. I stopped BC last April and had 3 periods between then and September. Then the periods stopped, I started losing my hair (on my head) and definitely felt different (not in a good way). After a lot of bloodwork and an ultrasound to confirm, I got the official diagnosis. I also had a glucose tolerance test, and I'm not insulin resistant and I'm not obese. I started on 500mg Metformin ER in early February, and got a period lasting about 4-5 days. I don't have any digestive/stomach problems on the Metformin (yay!) and the hair loss has definitely slowed down. I'm a few days "late" on getting my period again, and don't feel like I'm getting one anytime soon (no bloating/breast tenderness/cramps).

Just wondering how long it takes people in my similar situation to cycle on a relatively normal basis. I'm not TTC, but I just want to not worry anymore and constantly be on alert for a period!

This diagnosis has really consumed me. I've looked at a lot of research articles on PCOS, but it's just making me crazy. I have always been healthy, and had regular periods other times I got off of BC.

lelneal · 03-13-2009, 06:33 PM

That's great that you found out and are working on getting your body back on track before trying to conceive. According to everything I've read, it can take up to 6mons with the metformin for ovulation to occur. I don't know how many women w/PCOS ever get a "regular" cycle, but hopefully at least no more than 35 days between cycles. You may consider switching to the regular metformin if you don't get the results you want after several months. It seems to work better for thin women w/PCOS for some reason.

bee2009 · 03-13-2009, 07:34 PM

Thanks lelneal... I'll talk to my endo about switching to the regular metformin, but he said that the ER is easier to tolerate in terms of the GI issues. I think he'll first try to increase my dose, but I'll definitely bring it up.

I guess I was just being hopeful to be "normal" again. My endo said it's quite possible that if I start ovulating regularly, he would try to stop the metformin altogether to see if things restart on its own. I'm not that hopeful from the reading I've done that it's possible.

I'm actually wondering if there's anyone out there that's had PCOS "resolve" itself (with or without treatment). The doc also said that sometimes women with PCOS who have a baby end up without PCOS... I trust him, he's got a lot of experience with PCOS... but is he giving me false hopes???

IGHMN · 03-14-2009, 09:32 PM

I have been on Metformin for about 6 months. After 2 months at 1000 mg I had a period every 14 days. After I went to 1500 mg a month ago I now have actually ovulated and had a normal 30 day menstrual cycle. So give it some time. I am glad you are not having side effects. I did and they can be brutal!

bee2009 · 03-15-2009, 04:59 PM

IGHMN,

Are you on the extended release or the regular metformin? I am just wondering if there's a realy difference.

Also, were you tracking your hormones levels to know if you weren't ovulating? How did you know the difference between when you got your period ever 14 days vs. every 30 days in terms of ovulation?

I'm really trying to be patient with this. I know that it takes time for the body to adjust and to find the right dosage. I just want to get it right and find the think that works as quickly as possible.

thanks again!

IGHMN · 03-16-2009, 09:01 PM

bee2009,

For the first 6 months I was on extended release metformin. At 1,000 mg I got my period every two weeks. After bumping up to 1500 mg I finally ovulated and had a normal 30 day cycle. I new I ovulated because I used a kit and also because I had the "side effects" of ovulating like cramping around day 16. However, I just started the regular metformin this weekend at 1500 mg. I hear that version actually works better for ovulation. Someone else on this site posted that after 2 months on the regluar version they got pregnant. Good luck!!

Sunette · 03-17-2009, 04:59 PM

Hi ladies

I've been on metformin now for about 5 months, I was also on clomid for 3 of those months, I had to stop the clomid due to a cyst - which the clomid caused - so im at day 67 now without a period still on the metformin - i guess i'm on the regular metformin - 500mg a day. I havent had any signs yet of ovulation or cramps -

i know this sounds stupid but when something eventually happen, do you ovul;ate and then have your period, or will i first have my period and then ovulate - becaseu then i want the provera!

lelneal · 03-17-2009, 05:58 PM

Sunette,
If you are 67days into your cycle and you haven't ovulated, you probably won't this cycle. You may eventually have bleeding when the linning becomes so heavy that it falls off, but it's not an actual period. There is still a small chance you might ovulate this cycle and then you would have a period after that if you didn't get pregnant. For myself, if I haven't ovulated by day 20, I start Prometrium and move on to the next cycle. Hope that helps.
Laurie

tryinforbaby1 · 03-20-2009, 01:29 AM

I am also looking for anyone else who may have experienced the same things as me. I was told when I was 16 that I had PCOS, at that time I didnt really think to much about having a baby. Now I am happily married and we are trying to start a family. I have never had normal periods and I am lucky to have a period 4-5 times a year (I dont even know if it is actually a period). When I do get a "period" it seems to last for eternity (up to 2 months at a time). It is so frustrating as I have no idea how to properly track a cycle. I have been on metformin in the past and started taking it again a couple of months ago but it doesnt seem to be doing anything except making me sick!

In the past the metformin never did regulate my cycle. Has anyone else had this happen? If so were you able to conceive?

lelneal · 03-20-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tryinforbaby1

I am also looking for anyone else who may have experienced the same things as me. I was told when I was 16 that I had PCOS, at that time I didnt really think to much about having a baby. Now I am happily married and we are trying to start a family. I have never had normal periods and I am lucky to have a period 4-5 times a year (I dont even know if it is actually a period). When I do get a "period" it seems to last for eternity (up to 2 months at a time). It is so frustrating as I have no idea how to properly track a cycle. I have been on metformin in the past and started taking it again a couple of months ago but it doesnt seem to be doing anything except making me sick!

In the past the metformin never did regulate my cycle. Has anyone else had this happen? If so were you able to conceive?

What dose are you on and how long have you been taking it? If after six months of being on the highest dose of metformin, you're still not ovulating (and therefore cycling somewhat regularly), you may have to try clomid or other medication to induce ovulation.

dragonboater · 03-20-2009, 12:13 PM

Hi tryinforbaby1,
You sound exactly like me! I have known since I was 17 that I had PCOS and at the time figured I would be able to conceive when I wanted. I did not have a period until I was 18 and then would get one about twice a year. The dr put me on bc which was the only way I would get a period. I ended up getting a period for 14 months straight and had a DNC, hysteroscopy and lap done. Also found out that I had a slight uterine septum at the time. I do not get my period and am also wondering how I track my cycle. The dr wants to start clomid but because I still have cysts is waiting. Have an appt next week to discuss whether or not to go on bc again and hopefully induce a false period the next month.
I can understand the frustration you are having about tracking your cycle because my husband and I are in the same boat...what have you been doing to track so far??

tryinforbaby1 · 03-21-2009, 01:05 PM

Thanks for the input ladies. I am supposed to be taking 1000mg of metformin a day but because it makes me so sick my DR said to work my way up to it. Right now the most I am able to take without getting sick is 500mg /day. The Dr said to try this for a couple of months and if there is no luck then we will try clomid.

Right now to try and track a cycle I am using the ovulation kits which I have heard may not always be accurate when you have PCOS. I am also just writing everything down on a calendar and hoping that soon I will be able to make some sense of it all.

bee2009 · 03-25-2009, 02:17 AM

I have good news!!! I got a second period-- they were 6 weeks apart!!! I'm so happy. Of course, I don't know for sure if I'm ovulating, but it sure does feel like a real period-- PMS and all.

So, the Metformin 500mg ER seems to be working well for me. Still no GI issues (knock on wood).

And even better news-- I'm ENGAGED! WOOHOO! It happened on March 14th.

Thanks for your postings... I really am comforted knowing that there are other PCOSers out there.

jessie13 · 03-27-2009, 01:39 AM

hi all!

i'm new to these boards too.
i was on and off of metformin for 5 years and it did nothing for me but give me lots of gas and upset stomachs.
i didn't start finding answers until i found a center called Laughing Sage Wellness which takes women through a nutrition-based program to balance hormones and treat pcos the natural way.
i recommend checking it out, as its always good to have options!