PCOS stands for polycystic ovarian syndrome and it is one of the common causes of infertility in women. PCOS affects about 5% to 10% of women and it is an endocrine disorder. It occurs due to changes in the hormones and causes several cysts in the ovaries. As a result, ovaries do not release an egg at the end of periods. This can make it difficult for you to conceive and leads to pregnancy complications.
Common Signs of PCOS
The following are some of the common signs of PCOS:
- Irregular or no periods
- Sudden weight gain
- Acne
- Oily skin
- Difficulty to get pregnant or infertility issues
- Excess facial and body hair growth
- Balding or hair loss on the head
- Ovarian cysts
The above-mentioned varies from one woman to another and they range from mild to severe.
Does PCOS Affect Fertility?
As mentioned earlier, PCOS greatly affects your fertility and your chances of conception may decrease. If you have PCOS, your ovaries produce excess amounts of estrogen than they should. Due to this, you do not ovulate and the ovaries do not release an egg every month. As ovulation does not take place, your periods become irregular. The hormone levels also increase in the body and it leads to poor egg quality, insulin resistance, etc.
But making certain lifestyle changes and infertility treatments can help you become pregnant.
If I Become Pregnant with PCOS, Will I Have Any Complications?
Even if you get pregnant with PCOS, you may experience the following complications during pregnancy:
- Premature birth
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- A miscarriage
If you have PCOS, there are higher chances of delivering a baby larger than expected and this can lead to caesarean delivery.
Diagnosis of PCOS
There is no specific test to diagnose PCOS. Some women come to know that they have PCOS after performing tests to know the reason for infertility. If you have any signs of PCOS, you should visit your doctor as early as possible so that the signs can be treated early. The doctor conducts several tests to rule out other conditions. The doctor performs blood tests and ultrasound tests.
Treatment for PCOS
The treatment for PCOS is developed by your doctor based on your medical history and an evaluation. The treatment also varies based on whether you are trying for pregnancy or not trying for pregnancy. If you are planning for pregnancy, the treatment focuses on restoring ovulation, and improving your health.
If you are not planning for pregnancy, the treatment focuses on reducing the signs and possible risks of health issues such as Type 2 diabetes.
The treatment options include:
- Weight loss: If you are overweight or your BMI is more than 30, then losing your weight can help restore ovulation. Practise regular exercises and lose weight through healthy food.
- Medications: There are several medications that can be used to restore ovulation. For example, clomifene can be used to increase FSH production and promote ovulation. About 80% of women restore ovulation with this medication. The dosage will be prescribed by the doctor based on how well your follicles are developing.
- Laparoscopic surgery: If medications do not help, a minimally invasive procedure called laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) is performed. The procedure focuses on destroying the tissues that produce male hormones. The surgery can reduce male hormones and promotes FSH hormones and thereby treating hormonal imbalance. The ovaries also start functioning normally after the surgery.
- IVF: If the other options do not help, then IVF is the right choice. The process involves collecting eggs and sperms and are fertilized in a lab. Once fertilization takes place, the embryo will be transferred to the woman’s uterus. IVF is highly successful and it increases your chances of conception.
Worried if PCOS Affects Your Fertility? Visit Angels Fertility Today for a Right Solution
If you have signs of PCOS and are worried that it affects your chances of conceiving, meet fertility doctors at Angels Fertility today. Our doctors have helped several patients suffering from PCOS and reduced their signs and helped them conceive. Our treatment plan is not the same for everyone and it is based on the individual needs of the patients. To know your treatment options, call us to talk to one of our doctors.