PCOS & Infertility - Is There A Link?

PCOS tops the list of reasons for female infertility. A few women manage to conceive with PCOS but the pregnancy could be full of complications. Chances of miscarriages even during the 28th week are possible if a woman suffers from PCOS. This is also called as PCOD, which is an endocrine disorder. In this condition, the hormone levels are imbalanced and inflammation also occurs. This results in disruption of ovulation, and getting pregnant becomes a Herculean task. PCOS is not only the reason for infertility but also results in other discomforting symptoms such as weight gain, acne, hair fall, and skin darkening.

Ovulation problems in PCOS: PCOS results in anovulation, which is the lack of ovulation or irregular ovulation. This can be due to various reasons. Estrogen is not produced adequately by the ovaries, hypothalamus does now secrete the gonadotropin-releasing hormone, and there is hypothyroidism or the excess of testosterone in the adrenal glands. PCOS can occur due to various reasons ranging from wrong food habits, inadequate sleep, fatty liver, negative thoughts, stress, no detoxification, poor fat metabolism, and genetic reasons. Women who have mother or sister suffering from PCOS have an increased risk of being affected by this disorder. Women who have excess insulin in their body, too, can develop this disorder. Insulin resistance can trigger high blood sugar levels, and this means pancreas keeps producing more insulin. This can also lead to PCOS.

Managing PCOS: PCOS can affect fertility in multiple ways. The major problem is irregular ovulation. Ovulation may not occur because the follicles are not mature or when the woman has more testosterone. The hormonal imbalance does not let pregnancy happen even if there is ovulation. This is because the uterus is inefficient to develop the lining, which is vital for implantation to occur. The menstrual cycle is irregular, and it is unpredicted. PCOS can only be managed but the good news is that one can increase the chances of fertility with medications. The symptoms vary from woman to woman, so doctors give treatment options to suit the specific requirements. The hormonal imbalance is corrected with birth control pills. But if you are looking forward to a child, these pills should be the last thing you need. The doctor comes up with other options in such cases.

Medications: PCOS also needs medication to control blood sugar levels. Often, one can see the dietary changes are recommended when getting treated for PCOS. An exercise routine is emphasized and such women also advised to maintain a healthy weight. This is to ensure that the insulin levels and the testosterone levels are under control. Medications to regulate the menstrual cycle is also prescribed to women who want to improve their fertility and chances of conception. Based on the scenario, a surgery may be on the cards. Laparoscopic ovarian drilling is a procedure performed by a team of medical professionals to treat PCOD.
Chances are there that PCOS isn’t the only reason for you to not get pregnant. So, a complete checkup to diagnose and analyze the problems for infertility is done by the doctor. You may need a combination of medications so that your chances of becoming a mother are heightened.