PCOS & IVF - advice?

[Anonymous]

Hi all, I’m gearing up to start IVF through CNY. Using them for cost reasons (obviously) and I keep reading that you “really have you be your own advocate” as a patient there. Which makes sense, but I also feel like I don’t really know what to advocate FOR…

So, any advice is appreciated. I’m 36, lean PCOS, not new to fertility treatment in general but completely new to IVF.

[Anonymous]

Get on metformin if you’re not already

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get on metformin if you’re not already

I have tried to get prescribed metformin multiple times in the last, and keep being told that bc my insulin etc levels look great, I shouldn’t take it. In your experience would it be helpful regardless ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get on metformin if you’re not already

I have tried to get prescribed metformin multiple times in the last, and keep being told that bc my insulin etc levels look great, I shouldn’t take it. In your experience would it be helpful regardless ?

There’s no reason not to. It could help but it can’t hurt.

Your insulin looks great based on what? What is your fasting insulin? Have you done a glucose tolerance test that measures insulin at postprandial intervals?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get on metformin if you’re not already

I have tried to get prescribed metformin multiple times in the last, and keep being told that bc my insulin etc levels look great, I shouldn’t take it. In your experience would it be helpful regardless ?

There’s no reason not to. It could help but it can’t hurt.

Your insulin looks great based on what? What is your fasting insulin? Have you done a glucose tolerance test that measures insulin at postprandial intervals?

Okay thank you, that helps. I will call and push to start it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get on metformin if you’re not already

I have tried to get prescribed metformin multiple times in the last, and keep being told that bc my insulin etc levels look great, I shouldn’t take it. In your experience would it be helpful regardless ?

There’s no reason not to. It could help but it can’t hurt.

Your insulin looks great based on what? What is your fasting insulin? Have you done a glucose tolerance test that measures insulin at postprandial intervals?

eh I disagree- I have PCOS and had GD-- my endocrinologist said even if my numbers weren't able to be controlled with diet he'd use insulin and never metformin as there's risks with metformin to the baby. The only person who has ever suggested I should take metformin (not my reproductive endocrinologist, regular endocrinologist, MFM, OB, pcp, etc) was an awful lactation consultation at the hospital who was annoyed that my milk hadn't come in by 36 hours post delivery.

[Anonymous]

I was lean PCOs, cut sugar as best possible, stress relief/a bit of acupuncture. One IVF resulted in 12 embryos with ICSI had to freeze as I overstimmed or something? Did two FETs 4 years apart.
Two daughters. Eldest college, youngest a Junior in high school.
Good luck !! Here’s to your first Mothers Day.

[Anonymous]

I was 36 and lean with PCOS and timed intercourse worked for me with SG on 2nd try with Femara. Not sure if you've tried that or IUI first.... You could also try Theralogix Ovavite and Ovasitol. You got this!

[Anonymous]

I’m lean PCOS and metformin did nothing for me. If your doctor said you don’t need it then don’t take it.

Women with PCOS tend to respond quite well to IVF. For me they got 22 eggs which led to 6 embryos. Hoping for good things for you, good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m lean PCOS and metformin did nothing for me. If your doctor said you don’t need it then don’t take it.

Women with PCOS tend to respond quite well to IVF. For me they got 22 eggs which led to 6 embryos. Hoping for good things for you, good luck!

Also lean PCOS here, and metformin was NOT recommended for me, since I am not insulin-resistant.
To the Pap who indicates that metformin has no side effects, that isn’t necessarily the case. I know several women who encountered lots of GI issues on metformin.
I was 36 when I went through IVF, and my retrieval resulted in 22 eggs, 7 embryos, but only 3 were normal. I had one live birth from those 3. Push for ICSI. There can be some issues with egg quality and “hardness” for lack of a better way to put it with the outer membrane, both of which may be connected to PCOS.
Watch for the possibility of OHSS. Women with PCOS have a higher likelihood of that occurring after egg retrievals.