Metformin (Glucophage) is the drug of choice for polycystic ovary syndrome, since it can encourage ovulation and decreases cyst production. Yet many ladies have ton of problems taking it, such as nausea, diarrhea, intestinal pain, bloating and gas. The fabulous website for PCOS (http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com) recently mentioned a new way to get metformin – in a cream. The cream is applied to the ovarian area of the belly, the lower quadrant (alternating right and left) and dosing typically starts at 50mg twice daily and is increased as needed.
When metformin is used topically it is absorbed directly into the blood stream thus avoiding the digestive system where most of its side effects stem from without losing any benefit.
Your doctor will need to write a prescription for topical metformin, which can be filled by a compounding pharmacy who makes the customized cream containing metformin.
If your doctor doesn’t know of a compounding pharmacy, you can search for one on the Internet, or visit the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists website.