Defining PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that causes many different symptoms. For example, many women with PCOS have cysts on their ovaries. This symptom is what gives PCOS its name. Other symptoms of PCOS include high levels of insulin and excessive amounts of male hormones.

The overproduction of male hormones with PCOS leads to problems with ovulation and menstruation, which impair your ability to get pregnant. Also, the abnormal hormone levels can cause your eggs to fail to develop and mature on a normal monthly basis. Your menstrual cycles may be affected, too. Since you do not release an egg every month, ovulation will not occur. The lack of ovulation creates problems if you are trying to conceive, and ovulation disorders can cause infertility.

Because most women with PCOS have a mild form of this syndrome, the only symptoms they may notice are irregular menstrual cycles. If women have severe cases of PCOS, they may suffer from weight gain, excess body and facial hair, acne, and even baldness.

With mild or severe PCOS, you may experience anxiety and depression. Many women with PCOS feel self-conscious about their appearance and worry about their fertility, which causes emotional turmoil.

Infertility Treatments for PCOS

To reduce the high insulin levels and stabilize your hormones, your doctor may prescribe a medication called metformin. (Glucophage is the brand name for metformin.)  After taking metformin, your androgen levels will go down, and ovulation may resume.

Your doctor may also prescribe the fertility medication clomiphene citrate to help you conceive. (Clomid is the brand name for the fertility drug clomiphene citrate.) Clomid often helps women with PCOS conceive more quickly than by just using metformin alone. Sometimes for maximum benefit, both medications are used together.

Some women with PCOS may require a very higher dose of Clomid to restore fertility. The higher dose of Clomid may have some risks and side effects. If you don't respond to low doses of Clomid, you may be recommended for in vitro fertilization (IVF) for fertility treatment.

Weight Loss for PCOS

Multiple other treatments exist for PCOS. One of the best natural therapies you can do for your fertility and overall health is to achieve a healthy weight. Some women with PCOS have a genetic predisposition to being overweight, and it is important to be at a healthy weight when trying to conceive.

Weight problems can impair fertility. Having a healthy exercise and eating plan can help reduce some of your PCOS symptoms. Sometimes a 10 percent reduction in body weight is all that is needed to resume normal ovulation, menstruation, and fertility. A diet low in carbohydrates and high in protein can help with weight loss and also improve insulin levels.

Your Doctor Can Help with PCOS

Many women with PCOS have healthy pregnancies. Once ovulation resumes, you can start trying to get pregnant. Be sure to ask your doctor about fertility charting methods to speed up the time to conception. Fertility charting includes checking your basal body temperature and cervical mucus on a daily basis.

While you can get pregnant with PCOS, women with PCOS sometimes face high rates of miscarriage, premature delivery, and other pregnancy complications.

If you have a mild case of PCOS, your chances of conceiving and having a baby may be quite high.  But even if you have a more severe form of PCOS, you may still be able to get pregnant and have children.

Discuss PCOS treatment options with your doctor, and ask about ways to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.

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