does metformin work for thin cysters?

[Susy Q]

Hey everyone,

Just curious to know how many of you are just on metformin without wanting to conceive, because I'm interested in only taking metformin to restore normal ovulation and periods.

Also, on the same note, I was wondering how many thin cysters found metformin to be effective for them - i mean without any other meds. Lately I've been reading stuff that says unless you're over a bmi of 27, metformin may not be helpful in inducing ovulation. Just wondering if this had any truth behind it, since I am a thin cyster considering using only metfomin to treat pcos.

Thanks!
Susy Q :)

[sweetsunshine72]

Unfortunately, Thin Cysters can be more difficult to treat properly. My understanding is that it depends on why you are a "thin cyster". Some thin cysters are thin because they (literally) work their butts off and/or eat very little. They can still have the abdominal weight associated with PCOS and IR, but have a "normal" or near-normal BMI. These cysters are the ones most likely to benefit from Metformin and IR treatment.

There is a new phenomenon called "skinny fat" - which is where you technically have a good BMI, but your ratio of fat to muscle is still off - in favour of the fat side. So, you have "hidden" fat, but little muscle, perhaps from constant or yo-yo dieting. I would consider this to be just as bad as being obviously overweight, and a good diet and exercise (perhaps along with Metformin) would be a good treatment choice, I think.

I believe other thin cysters may have subclinical hypothyroidism as the main cause - perhaps along with mild IR. These cysters can benefit from low-dose thyroid meds, even though their numbers are still technically "normal".

There may be other types, that I just don't know about.

Long story short, it's worth a shot. You'll know w/in 6 months if it's going to do anything for you or not, and it won't halt any other treatments that you may want to try. No matter what, though, you need to also follow a low-er/good carb diet and get lots of appropriate exercise. It won't hurt, and even if you don't have much of an IR issue, it still helps to provide a good nutritional/lifestyle basis for a healthy pregnancy.

Does this help? 8)

[Susy Q]

sort of, only I'm not trying to conceive, just restore normal menstrual cycles. I guess I was just wondering how many people took just metformin alone without any other meds when they are not trying to conceive.

[sweetsunshine72]

I guess part of my point is that, by treating the IR, you re-balance your system, and it's not ovulating that causes the irregular periods, so ovulating is a good thing, even if you continue to use some method of preventing pregnancy.

[ChristineB]

I take met with great success and my hubby and I are definitely not TTC.
I may forget to pay bills or switch the laundry to the dryer but I never, never forget to take my met. :wink:

[Susy Q]

Thanks for your posts!