Metformin may provide relief from excessive morning sickness.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology has revealed that the common diabetes drug, metformin, could potentially reduce the risk of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), a severe form of morning sickness, in future pregnancies.
The study, which involved over 5,400 participants, found that pre-pregnancy use of metformin was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of HG. Specifically, it reduced the risk by more than 70% in first pregnancies and by 82% in second pregnancies.
The proposed mechanism behind this reduction involves desensitizing patients to the rapid rise of the emetogenic hormone GDF15 during pregnancy. Metformin may increase circulating levels of GDF15, allowing patients to become less sensitive to its effects, thereby reducing severe symptoms.
However, it's important to note that while these findings are promising, they require further investigation through clinical trials to establish metformin as a standard preventive measure for HG. The study did not look at the effect of metformin on morning sickness or how many participants went off the medication post-conception.
Tobacco use before pregnancy was also found to lower the risk of HG by 49%, although tobacco is linked to other pregnancy complications. On the other hand, pre-pregnancy cannabis use and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were associated with an increased risk of severe nausea and vomiting.
For individuals who have experienced severe morning sickness in previous pregnancies, metformin could offer hope for a more manageable experience in future pregnancies, potentially allowing for larger family sizes. Dr. Aimee Brecht-Doscher suggests that using metformin to reduce the chances of a recurrence of HG could give women more options for future pregnancies.
Researchers also explored whether metformin could "train" the body to tolerate the hormone before pregnancy to prevent HG. Lower levels of a hormone called "growth and differentiation factor 15" (GDF15) prior to pregnancy were associated with a higher risk of HG.
The study co-author, Marlena Fejzo, states that pre-pregnancy metformin treatment may provide a benefit in reducing the risk of HG. However, she emphasises that further clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings and explore metformin as a safe and affordable treatment option for preventing HG.
It's worth noting that metformin is known to raise levels of GDF15, which is thought to reduce appetite and promote weight loss. For people who don't already take metformin prior to pregnancy, it may be too late to help stave off HG, but it could potentially be used to prevent HG in subsequent pregnancies.
Hyperemesis gravidarum can lead to complications during pregnancy such as weight loss, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and long-term health issues for both mother and baby. Therefore, the potential use of metformin as a preventive measure for HG could significantly improve the quality of life for pregnant women and the health outcomes of their babies.
However, it's crucial to remember that this article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to offer medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication regimen during pregnancy.
References: [1] Fejzo, M., et al. (2023). Preconceptional metformin use and the risk of hyperemesis gravidarum. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. [2] O'Rahilly, S., (2023). Metformin and Hyperemesis Gravidarum: A Clinical Trial is Needed. The Lancet. [3] Brecht-Doscher, A. (2023). Metformin and Hyperemesis Gravidarum: A New Hope for Pregnant Women. The New England Journal of Medicine.
Metformin, a common diabetes drug, may also offer potential benefits in the field of health-and-wellness, specifically for women's mental health and overall health during pregnancy. The study suggests that pre-pregnancy use of metformin could potentially reduce the risk of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), a severe form of morning sickness, by more than 70% in first pregnancies and 82% in second pregnancies, and could potentially train the body to tolerate the hormones to prevent HG in future pregnancies. However, further research through clinical trials is necessary to establish metformin as a standard preventive measure for HG and explore it as a safe and affordable treatment option for promoting mental health and womens-health in pregnancy.
