metformin's side effects

I've previously blogged about my metformin intake, and this time I will talk about its side effects. What I've experienced are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and gas but there are a lot more side effects of metformin.

Side effects are:

• Vitamin B12 malabsorption (in the long run lack of Vit B12 can contribute to megaloblastic anemia)


• hair loss (which is also one of the symptoms of PCOS)


• lactic acidosis - the most serious side effect but this is also rare


• loss of appetite (hmmm...I wish I had this one so that I can lose more weight as I'm defintely overweight)


• GI disturbance(vomiting, nausea and diarrhea falls in this category)


• malaise, fatigue and achiness

As in all drug intake the benefits must be weighed with the disadvantages. And since metformin's benefits outweigh its disadvantages I am taking it for my PCOS.

PCOS and metformin

Metformin. The medicine prescribed by my OB-gyne after I was diagnosed with PCOS. I am familiar with metformin because my grandmother took it for her diabetes. So that is my only knowledge about the drug, that it is for diabetes. So I was surprised to be prescribed with it. Turns out that metformin is beneficial to women with PCOS.
According to Natural Health Solutions for PCOS metformin works in 3 ways.

1. Metformin decreases the absorption of dietary carbohydrates through the intestines.
2. It reduces the production of glucose by the liver. The liver uses the raw material in your food to create a reserve supply of blood sugar. When your body experiences stress, the liver releases the reserve glucose to supply your brain and muscles with an immediate source of energy to cope with the stress. Metformin suppresses the production of this reserve fuel.
3. Perhaps most importantly, metformin increases the sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin. Insulin is the hormone that delivers glucose into your cells to be burned as fuel, or stored. Women with PCOS frequently have "insulin resistance", a condition where excessive amounts of insulin are required in order to get blood glucose moved into cells, where it belongs. Metformin helps your body to transport glucose with relatively less insulin, thus lowering your insulin levels. Chronically high levels of either glucose or insulin in your blood contributes to obesity, heart disease, infertility, and certain cancers, as well as the development of diabetes.

When I was prescribed with Metformin I had to start with 500mg for a week. Then on the second week the dosage was doubled. And finally on the third week I was instructed to drink 1500mg of Metformin. This is the dosage that I have been drinking for the past years. Eversince I started my Metformin intake my period has become regular. Although like most drugs Metformin also have its risks and side-effects which I will be talking about in another post.

PCOS and genes

Can PCOS be inherited? Most researchers think that PCOS runs in families. Women with PCOS tend to have a mother or sister with PCOS. Still, there is no proof that PCOS is inherited.
Among my immediate family I am the only with PCOS. Although both my sisters have irregular menstruation too. The eldest is married and was able to bear child. The youngest is still single and dreads going to the OB to have herself checked.

symptoms of PCOS

Because PCOS is a hormonal disorder the most common signs and symptoms are physical. Your appearance is affected by the androgen present in the body. Although these varies per individual. Here are the S&S:

• multiply ovarian cysts
• absent or irregular menses
• infertility
• acne
• obesity and difficulty in losing weight
• hirsutism (increased body and facial hair growth)
• hair loss or thinning of scalp hair
• insulin resistance possibly leading to diabetes
• acanthosis nigricans
• skin tags
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• impaired lung function
• snoring
• all these changes may eventually lead to depression

Again the signs and symptoms differ from one person to another. And not all S&S may be exhibited.

PCOS starts during the teenage years. And looking back I started gaining weight after my first period. Also, I have always been irregular. And since I suffer from dysmenorrhea everytime my period comes I welcomed the months when it did not come. Hmmm... I should have paid more attention to my health. As a teener, I was never pimply. So I was distraught over the pimples that adorn my face during my mid-20's. By pimples, I mean occassionally having 2 or more breakouts in my face. I was distraught over this. I tried various face scrubs and what-have-yous just to keep my face smooth. I didn't think that the pimples lead to a more serious issue. Oh, and I've started snoring too! The horror! Both my parents snore so when I learned that I snored too I just chalked it up to genes. I also have dark lines in my nape. That's all the symptoms that I had.

After I was diagnosed I paid more attention to my health and myself and noticed some more changes/symptoms.

If you have any of the above symptoms go to your OB-gyne immediately. Don't waste time. Remember, health is wealth.

I have PCOS

I have PCOS.
PCOS is an endocrine disorder that affects approximately 5% of all women. It is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. It is the leading cause of infertility.
Before I even got married my then fiance and I have already agreed that we wanted to have kids right away. And since I had irregular menstruation I felt that I had to have myself checked. So with more than a month before our wedding I went to the doctor, an OB-gynecologist (Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility Specialist).
You might be wondering I had irregular menses and I go to an Infertility Specialist, why? Because I have a friend who was also irregular and she has PCOS. And since DK and I wanted kids immediately I decided that seeing a specialist can really help us.
I had my first trans-vaginal ultrasound (TVU) and before the check-up was over I was diagnosed with PCOS.
I was feeling hysterical when I left the doctor's clinic. Infertility, infertility, infertility kept going through my mind. Oh no! There I was about to get married and the possibility of never having kids is laid out on a table. Of course the doctor explained about treatment plans and interventions but I have zoned her out after I heard I had PCOS. Yes, I admit I have a tendency to be dramatic (a bit)! But during that time I really felt depressed. DK is thousands of miles away and I had no way to reach him unless he calls me. I felt so alone. I went to Carmellite Monastery and talked/cried to the Lord. I don't know how long I stayed there but when I got out I was feeling "normal" again.