Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a serious health condition for women that can lead to an unbalanced hormone output, irregular menstrual cycles, fertility issues, changes in one’s physical appearance, as well as problems with her heart and blood vessels. The cause of PCOS is unknown and many physicians believe that a combination of causes likely contribute to the overall condition. Some of these likely causes are heredity, genes, insulin, body chemistry and even weight. Additionally, it is not known if the disease is caused by one factor or a combination of issues.

Women who suffer from PCOS often exhibit the same symptoms:

• High levels of androgens, which are sometimes called male hormones. Please note that it is not uncommon for females to produce these male hormones but not in high levels as they occur in women with PCOS.

• Infertility

• Irregular or missed periods

• Many small ovarian cysts

• Acne, dandruff or oily skin

• Weight gain

• Diabetes

• High blood pressure and cholesterol

• Thinning or balding hair

• Thickened or blackened skin on the necks, arms, breasts and/or thighs

• Pelvic pain

• Anxiety or depression

• Sleep Apnea

It is estimated that as many as one in ten women suffer from PCOS and it can occur in girls as young as ten. PCOS is also the most common reason females cannot get pregnant. Early diagnosis allows a female to treat the disease as fully as possible.

PCOS is a common cause of infertility because affects a woman’s ability to ovulate. Typically, the easiest way to treat women who are not ovulating (because of PCOS or something else) is to give them medication that helps them ovulate.

This is where Clomid and Metformin comes in.

The two most common forms of medication prescribed for women with PCOS are Clomid (clomiphene citrate) and Metformin (a diabetes drug). The goal of these drugs is to aid women in ovulation and thus make them able to conceive. The two drugs can be used separately or in combination.

Recent studies have been conducted to determine using Clomid separately, Metformin separately, or both in combination, were better for women with PCOS. These were conducted by the makers of the drugs but one independent study by the New England Journal of Medicine looked at the same issues and came to several interesting conclusions. Most studies indicated that the best first line defense for women who have problems ovulating due to PCOS, is Clomid.

The pregnancy rate for women taking Clomid was 22.5%. The pregnancy rate for women taking Metformin was 7.2%. Groups taking both together had more ovulations, but pregnancy rates were not significant enough to make taking them in combination a better option than just taking Clomid. The rates of pregnancy success were the same in all groups tested.

No drug, no matter how good, is complete without side effects. Individuals who take Clomid sometimes suffer from mood issues, headaches, hot flashes, ovarian enlargement and hostile cervical mucous. Your doctor can prescribe other drugs to combat the side effects, including over the counter drugs. Discussing your options with your doctor is the surest way to discover if Clomid can help you with your PCOS and infertility issues.