Metformin?? How well does it help woman with PCOS

[inlovewith.rory]

Nearly two years ago I was diagnosed with PCOS. I don't have most of the characteristics associated with woman and PCOS. No Cysts, i'm not even close to being remotely over weight, No hirustism, All my hormone levels are perfectly normal aside from High testosterone and Elevated estrogen, irregular periods and infertility. Those were the four reasons why I was diagnosed with this disorder.

All doctors ever want to do is put you on Birth Control. Yeah, it may help while your on it, but as soon as you stop it only screws you up more, not to mention makes you extremely moody. I'm not down for that.

I just wanted to know how affective metformin was???

Any opinions are appreciated, thank you!

[sliverofdignity]

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. Glucophage (metformin) helps your body to transport glucose with relatively less insulin, thus lowering your insulin levels.

LOWERING OF INSULIN, TESTOSTERONE, AND GLUCOSE LEVELS. Quite a number of studies indicate Glucophage reduces insulin, testosterone and glucose levels -- which reduces acne, hirsutism, abdominal obesity, amenorrhea and other symptoms. In one study conducted at Virginia Commonwealth University, 24 obese PCOS women were given metformin or placebo. The 11 women who received the metformin experienced a reduction in insulin levels, which slowed the activity of an enzyme in the ovaries that stimulates excess production of testosterone. As a result, testosterone levels also dropped.
Glucophage appears to do the same for non-obese PCOS women, according to a study from the University of Medical Sciences in Poznan, Poland. Thirty nine PCOS women were given Glucophage for 12 weeks. They had improvements in insulin, testosterone, hirsutism and acne