Metformin and Birth Control Pills?

Vonbabe · March 2011

I have a question about Metformin while taking BCP's. I know it sounds silly to take a medicine that is proven to help with TTC efforts while taking a pill to prevent pregnancy but, my doctor prescribed me Metformin last fall and I took them for a few weeks and when I upped the dosage to 1000 mg a day I had horrible side effects. I was constantly in the restroom and just couldn't tolerate it. When I went to my OBGYN in February I was put on the BCP to help with a cyst and was told not to worry about not being able to take the Metformin. My doctor kind of blew it off really.

My question though is I am wanting to try the Metformin one more time and really give it all I got to let my body get adjusted to it. But, I am currently on BCP's and wondered if I can take the two together until I stop taking the BCP's (as planned in May) to TTC when my DH comes home for R&R in June.

Thank you to anyone that can help with this question! Smile

cherylnicole · March 2011

I'm probably not much help, but I would call your doc and aske them, they'll know for sure. You def don't want to mess with pills that have contradicting results. Also, if after a few weeks you went up to 1000mg and it was giving you tummy troubles, I would talk to the doc about that too. I'm prescribed 500mg for a MONTH and then I up to 1000mg, i'm assuming to prevent tummy upset and allow my body to adjust gradually to the met.

HTH

Vonbabe · March 2011

nicole4312:

I'm probably not much help, but I would call your doc and aske them, they'll know for sure. You def don't want to mess with pills that have contradicting results. Also, if after a few weeks you went up to 1000mg and it was giving you tummy troubles, I would talk to the doc about that too. I'm prescribed 500mg for a MONTH and then I up to 1000mg, i'm assuming to prevent tummy upset and allow my body to adjust gradually to the met.

HTH

Yes! That does help! I have an appt next month with my doctor and will discuss it with her as well. I just want to give my body the best possible chance at getting pregnant when my DH comes home in June. I just don't want to over-do it.

I was told to take 500 mg for a week and then to double it and then a week later to triple it making my dosage 1500 mg a day. I did the 1000 mg a little longer than told to because the side effects were so horrible. I have discussed taking the 500 mg for a longer period of time to get my body used to it but, my doctor didn't seem to agree with me and was quick to just "forget" about me taking the medicine.

cherylnicole · March 2011

Vonbabe:
nicole4312:

I'm probably not much help, but I would call your doc and aske them, they'll know for sure. You def don't want to mess with pills that have contradicting results. Also, if after a few weeks you went up to 1000mg and it was giving you tummy troubles, I would talk to the doc about that too. I'm prescribed 500mg for a MONTH and then I up to 1000mg, i'm assuming to prevent tummy upset and allow my body to adjust gradually to the met.

HTH

Yes! That does help! I have an appt next month with my doctor and will discuss it with her as well. I just want to give my body the best possible chance at getting pregnant when my DH comes home in June. I just don't want to over-do it.

I was told to take 500 mg for a week and then to double it and then a week later to triple it making my dosage 1500 mg a day. I did the 1000 mg a little longer than told to because the side effects were so horrible. I have discussed taking the 500 mg for a longer period of time to get my body used to it but, my doctor didn't seem to agree with me and was quick to just "forget" about me taking the medicine.

Wow that's crazy to me!! Yea, with my first, they had me on one month at 500mg, 2nd month at 1000mg, then the 3rd at 1500mg and I never had any issues! Good luck to you!

ermaderma · March 2011

I started at 850 mg and went up to 1700 mg after 1 week. The side effects were bad until i got used to it, though.

I would ask about the Extended Release. It is supposed to help with the side effects.

Vonbabe · March 2011

ermaderma:

I started at 850 mg and went up to 1700 mg after 1 week. The side effects were bad until i got used to it, though.

I would ask about the Extended Release. It is supposed to help with the side effects.

Wow! I don't see how you did that! You do give me motivation though to stick with it! I did ask my doctor about the extended release and she just blew me off so I will probably press the issue again when I go see her next month!

Thanks for the response!

Vonbabe · March 2011

nicole4312:
Vonbabe:
nicole4312:

I'm probably not much help, but I would call your doc and aske them, they'll know for sure. You def don't want to mess with pills that have contradicting results. Also, if after a few weeks you went up to 1000mg and it was giving you tummy troubles, I would talk to the doc about that too. I'm prescribed 500mg for a MONTH and then I up to 1000mg, i'm assuming to prevent tummy upset and allow my body to adjust gradually to the met.

HTH

Yes! That does help! I have an appt next month with my doctor and will discuss it with her as well. I just want to give my body the best possible chance at getting pregnant when my DH comes home in June. I just don't want to over-do it.

I was told to take 500 mg for a week and then to double it and then a week later to triple it making my dosage 1500 mg a day. I did the 1000 mg a little longer than told to because the side effects were so horrible. I have discussed taking the 500 mg for a longer period of time to get my body used to it but, my doctor didn't seem to agree with me and was quick to just "forget" about me taking the medicine.

Wow that's crazy to me!! Yea, with my first, they had me on one month at 500mg, 2nd month at 1000mg, then the 3rd at 1500mg and I never had any issues! Good luck to you!

Wow! That sounds like a much better plan! I will check into doing that method as well! Thanks for the advice!

Mrs.Slick · March 2011

Yes, you can take them together. I'm taking both right now and was told to do so by my OBGYN and RE.

Vonbabe · March 2011

LGLDVM:

Metformin isn't a fertility drug. It can help with ovulation in women with insulin resistance, but that's not what it was primarily developed for. It is an insulin sensitising drug that is used in people with Type 2 diabetes.

I have taken Met with BC in the past. It's not a big deal.

I hope that it works for you and that you can get past the s/e they are rough, but they do get better with time.

Thank you for your input! I have a degree from Dr. Google and Web M.D. so I am very familiar with what Metformin is primarily used for. I also know that studies found that Metformin can help with ovulation in women as well. Smile

I am glad that someone else has experience with this and have also taken BCP's and Metformin together. I too hope that the side effects pass rather quickly if/when I start taking the Metformin again.

Vonbabe · March 2011

Mrs.Slick:
Yes, you can take them together. I'm taking both right now and was told to do so by my OBGYN and RE.

Thank you Mrs.Slick! I appreciate your advice as well! I feel much better knowing others are out there that are taking these meds together also.

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