Metformin is a medication primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes, but it is also prescribed as a treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. Metformin is an oral medication that may be taken once or several times daily, according to your specific condition and the medication dose. According to Drugs.com, this medicine should not be given to children under the age of 10. Benefits of taking metformin include stabilization of blood glucose levels, a regulation of menstruation and other problems related to fertility, and weight loss.
Stabilization of Blood Glucose
The primary use of metformin is to reduce blood sugar levels in people who have non-insulin dependent diabetes, or diabetes type 2. The benefits of the reduction of blood sugar may be long-lasting, according to a write-up in the March 23, 2009, issue of the "Archives of Internal Medicine." A study reported in the journal states that participants who took 850 mg of metformin, used along with insulin therapy, showed an average improvement of 0.4 percent in glucose readings and were able to reduce their insulin requirements by an average of almost 20 units per day.
Improved Fertility
Menstrual abnormalities and ovarian cysts can interfere with fertility, making conception much more difficult to time and achieve, Metformin can benefit women with these issues, including PCOS, by stimulating ovarian response, according to a 2002 "Human Reproduction" article. PCOS patients have a higher risk of being insulin resistant, which means their bodies do not process insulin properly.
Metformin reduces insulin resistance in part by limiting the amount of carbohydrates that can be absorbed into the digestive tract. Carbs are high-glycemic-load foods, which can cause a sharp spike in the blood glucose level. Consistently high glucose levels may cause insulin resistance in some people.
People who have an insulin resistance are more likely to become obese, which in turn can affect fertility.
Weight Loss
Weight loss can be a benefit gained when taking metformin. Obesity and insulin resistance often go hand in hand; people who are obese are more likely to become resistant to insulin and to develop diabetes. Metformin not only reduces blood sugar levels, but can cause a reduction of body mass as well, according to Adriaan Kooy of the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam. Weight loss associated with metformin can also decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.
References
- Natural Health Solutions for PCOS: PCOS and Metformin (Glucophage)
- "Human Reproduction"; Should patients with polycystic ovary syndrome be treated with metformin? Benefits of insulin sensitizing drugs in polycystic ovary syndrome---beyond ovulation induction; Laurel A. Stadtmauer et al; December 2002
- "Archives of Internal Medicine"; Long-term Effects of Metformin on Metabolism and Microvascular and Macrovascular Disease in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Adriaan Kooy et al; Mar. 23, 2009
- Drugs.com: Metformin
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