Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Getting pregnant can become an immensely frustrating experience for women with endometriosis or cyst with IVF treatment. Many women with endometriosis worry about whether they will be able to conceive and bear a child. This is because, in such a case, there is a collection of endometrial tissues outside the uterus that results in a painful inflammation along with the formation of blood-filled cysts in the ovary and bands of scar tissues.

How does PCOS or endometriosis affect the process of reproduction?
When a woman has any of these fertility issues, there could be endometrial growths of the tissue hindering the normal functioning of the reproductive organs. When the endometrial tissue formation involves the ovaries, there is a restriction on the release of eggs. On the other hand, when the fallopian tubes are affected, it would prevent the sperm from reaching the egg or it may also stop the fertilized egg from travelling to the uterus. Though each of these instances may sound challenging, experts suggest that IVF treatment can be helpful in offering desired results. It is estimated that about one-third of women suffering from endometriosis can conceive naturally without any treatment whatsoever. But for the rest of the women that suffer from endometriosis, IVF can be the best bet.

How can IVF help in getting pregnant in this scenario?
In order to make pregnancy possible for women with multiple adhesions, endometriosis or PCOS, the doctor would definitely begin with a comprehensive evaluation of hormones along with the presence of other chemicals in the body. Diagnostic tests such as hysteroscopy, hysterosalpingography, and laparoscopy can also be of great value in offering an insight into the individual patient’s condition.

When the IVF process has been successful, the embryo will get implanted in the uterus and cause the much-desired pregnancy. If there is any embryo remaining, it may be stored for use in future or donated to other couples. IVF is deemed successful for overcoming most of the female factor caused infertility including cyst, PCOS, and even endometriosis. There are 5 fundamental steps in IVF and they are:

1. Super-ovulation or the process of stimulating the reproductive organs of a woman for releasing numerous healthy eggs. This is the first point of contradiction between IVF and normal pregnancy where a single egg is released and ovulated.
2. The second step constitutes retrieval of eggs and sperm collection
3. Then there is insemination as well as fertilization of the eggs with the help of the sperm
4. Development of embryos and subsequent genetic evaluation when needed
5. Transfer of the embryo in the uterus of the woman

Since IVF allows a controlled interaction between the egg and the sperm, it offers a high rate of success even when the patient is affected by complex disorders such as endometriosis, PCOS or cyst. Hence, discuss with your doctor if it is a viable option for the given situation. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder or PCOD is one of the most common gynecological problems faced by women around the world. This condition is characterized by an imbalance of hormones that causes menstrual irregularities and can affect the way a woman looks. If left untreated, PCOD can affect your chances of having a child in the future and increase your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Some of the changes that may become visible as a result of PCOD are:

1. Acne: Recurrent acne breakouts are the most common symptom of PCOD. This usually takes the form of large, red pimples that are deep-seated and do not respond well to topical creams. Acne caused by PCOD usually develops on the cheeks, chin and along the jawline. These parts of your face are referred to as the hormonally sensitive parts of the face. It may also get aggravated by certain foods. Birth control pills are the best form of treatment for this type of acne.
2. Weight Gain: Women suffering from PCOD put on weight easily, but it becomes difficult to shed weight. The hormonal imbalance makes it difficult for the body to use insulin. Instead, this is converted into fat and stored around the abdominal area. Women with PCOD tend to have more of an apple shaped body because of this. Being overweight can lead to a number of other problems and hence it is imperative for a PCOD patient to constantly keep their calorie intake in check.
3. Hirsutism: One of the fallouts of a hormonal imbalance is that you may begin to notice excessive hair growth on your face, neck, arms, chest etc. This condition is known as hirsutism. Hirsutism is the result of an elevated presence of androgen hormones. These are the male hormones responsible for hair growth. Thankfully, this can be controlled. By eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly and living a healthy lifestyle you can control this hair growth.
4. Balding: While on one hand, you will see unwanted hair growth on your arms and legs, the hair on your head may actually thin out. This is also a result of the excessive amount of androgen and testosterone hormones in your body. These hormones are converted into dihydrotestosterone or DHT by the body. DHT makes hair follicles shrink and thereby makes it easier for hair to fall out. It can also make hair finer and cause a lack of visual volume.

PCOD is responsible for infertily, abnormal menstrual bleeding and recurrant abortions. So, timely management is essential for protacting your health.

For most women, the ultimate feeling is bringing their bundle of joy into this world. However, as much as you want, getting pregnant is not always in your hand. Infertility among women has seen an exponential growth in the last decade or so. In this article, we will limit our discussion to the factors responsible for female infertility.

In many women of reproductive age, PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is found to be one of the common underlying factors making it difficult for the affected female to conceive. PCOS, as indicative of the name, is a condition whereby cyst formation takes place in the ovary or the ovaries. PCOS triggers a hormonal imbalance with increased production of androgen by the ovary interfering with the ovulation process. The mature eggs either don't get released from the ovary or in some cases, the eggs may not mature at all. Infertility can be one of the many depressing complications associated with the disorder.

Primary Ovarian Insufficiency can also be responsible for female infertility. True to its name, the disorder is an autoimmune condition resulting in the loss of eggs prematurely (from the ovary). The condition can be a genetic predisposition or at times may be a consequence of chemotherapy.

The hormones Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH) play a pivotal role in ensuring a healthy ovulation process. However, certain factors including obesity, drastic changes in the body weight (gain or loss) or stress (physical, mental, or emotional) can spell doom inhibiting the production of FSH and LH. In the absence of these two hormones, the ovulation process will also be affected, often giving rise to female infertility. The increased production of another hormone, Prolactin can also act as the trigger resulting in infertility. Proper treatment and medications can go a long way to reverse the condition.

• Cervical stenosis (the cervix narrows down to a great extent).
• Congenital uterine disorders and abnormalities.
• The formation of noncancerous tumors and polyps in the uterus can trigger infertility in some females only.
• In some rare cases, the exact cause of infertility may be hard to explain (Unexplained Infertility).

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

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 the 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.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

When female sex hormones such as Estrogen and Progesterone are out of balance and male hormone levels such as androgen are elevated within the body, it might lead to PCOD or polycystic ovarian disorder. This may cause the enlargement of the ovaries and numerous cysts to grow on the outer wall of the ovary. These growths can result in painful periods, infertility and several other symptoms because of the abnormalities in the body.

Most common symptoms of PCOS include:
1. Irregular and painful periods
2. Growth of facial and body hair also known as hirsutism (areas such as the face, fingers, toes)
3. Development of acne all over the body including the face
4. Sudden weight gain
5. Mood swings such as anxiety and depression
6. Thinning of hair
7. Pain in the pelvic area

Some of the other less common symptoms of PCOD are darkening of the skin, especially in the creases of the body such as the groin, neck, the area underneath the breasts and sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. Many women diagnosed with PCOD can have children without medical infertility treatment, although many other women tend to have fertility problems.

Causes 
A few underlying factors have been noticed to be common in most cases. Some of these common factors that have been noticed are:

1. Insulin Resistance: Insulin resistance is a condition wherein the body is either not able to produce enough insulin or cannot metabolize the sugar to produce energy. This results in blood sugar not being used up and thus accumulating within the blood which in turn forces more insulin to be made to compensate. High levels of insulin cause the ovaries to produce too much androgen which may lead to polycystic ovarian disorder. Insulin resistance can also lead to weight gain, which can worsen the symptoms of PCOD.
2. Hormonal Imbalance: Women with PCOD have imbalances in certain hormones such as raised levels of testosterone, higher levels of prolactin and luteinizing hormone (LH), among others. The exact reasons for these imbalances are unknown. Scientists have suggested that the problem can start within the ovaries, or the part of the brain that controls their production of these hormones.
3. Genetics: This syndrome runs in families; women with mothers, aunts, and sisters with PCOS have a higher chance of developing PCOD themselves. Genetics have definitely shown to have a correlation with the occurrence of the disorder.

Treatment

PCOD doesn’t have any treatment yet, but the symptoms can be managed through medications and healthy habits. Treatment for PCOD differs for every woman depending on factors such as:

1. Severity of the symptoms
2. Condition of the ovaries
3. Plans to have children in the future
4. Risk of long term health complications or current problems such as heart diseases or diabetes among others
5. Some of the basic steps to manage PCOD at home are through weight loss, improving your diet, reducing blood glucose levels, amongst others.

Some medications that may be used to relieve symptoms of PCOD are

1. Hormonal birth control pills - These regularize the period cycle, help reduce acne and extra hair growth and also help in prevention of unwanted pregnancies.
2. Anti-androgen medicines - They can block the effects of excess androgen and thus help in reducing hair loss, facial and body hair growth and acne.

Certain medications which are used to treat type-2 diabetes have also been put to the test and have shown effective results in trials. However, these have still not been approved by the regulatory authorities.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!