Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and Pregnancy

Can a woman with PCOS conceive easily? Let’s understand.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome commonly known as PCOS. It is a common condition that sometimes can be a reason for delay in pregnancy. PCOS is a widespread condition that impacts the ovaries and its functions. Additionally, it also has severe effects on the menstrual cycle, hormone levels. Most importantly, it affects the fertility of a woman that leads to difficulty in getting pregnant. 

Read More: PCOS Symptoms

PCOS treatment can help in conceiving. However, although it’s not only about conceiving it can be challenging to deliver a child as PCOS females have several complications during the trimesters. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome can have various affect on:

 

• Fertility
• Look and form
• Menstrual cycle

Signs and Symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) 

As a woman, PCOS can be identified with its initial menstrual cycle. But sometimes it occurs with age. Some of the common symptoms of PCOS includes:

• Unusual weight gain.
• Development of cysts in the ovaries.
• High blood sugar that leads to insulin resistance.
• Extreme growth of hair on body and face.
• Sometimes, extreme hair fall leads to balding. 
• Pimples and acne.
• Abnormal periods.
• Infertility.
• Difficulty in releasing eggs from the ovaries.
• Dark and hard skin in the creases and folds of the body.
• Skin tags in the armpits and neck areas.

These symptoms are caused due to higher levels of testosterone and androgen. These hormones are present in females, but if you have PCOS, your hormones might be higher than usual.

Can PCOS affect fertility?

Unfortunately yes, PCOS can affect fertility and can be a reason for delay in conceiving. PCOS fertility treatments can have positive impacts with lifestyle changes. Moreover, it is also beneficial if a woman connects with a doctor for personal advice.

Causes of PCOS

The exact cause of PCOS is still unidentified, but until researchers have understood, family history and genetic cells play an important role in PCOS.

 

Sometimes females can’t identify that they might be having PCOS as the symptoms are quite similar with other health issues.

 

Identifying PCOS at the stage of conceiving, delay in conceiving or unable to conceive is an important cause of pregnancy.

Diagnosis of PCOS

Doctor will make sure after asking about some other conditions which confirms the PCOS symptoms such as:

 

• Symptoms
• Medical history
• Physical examination

 

After that, the doctor will prescribe a certain blood test and ultrasound scan of the ovaries.

If the doctor found any of the two reasons, it will confirm the PCOS

 

1. No periods or abnormal periods.
2. High level of androgen hormones that can be detected through blood tests.
3. Cysts formed in the ovaries.

 

These are the confirmed symptoms of PCOS. Incase of delay in pregnancy, PCOS fertility treatment will help to conceive and get the treatment done accordingly.

Treatment to conceive pregnancy while having PCOS

Every treatment depends upon the body’s tendency. Different body types need different treatments. But for PCOS the doctor suggests some of the lifestyle changes that impact on life. If a woman is trying to get pregnant she must focus on the listed point:

 

• Losing extra weight
• Improving diet and health conditions.
• Normalising ovulation pattern.
• Strict control on alcohol and smoking.

 

If these lifestyle changes didn’t affect positively, then the doctor will advise some more fertility tests. Consequently, fertility specialists may suggest some follicular medicine that helps to stimulate ovulation. Unfortunately, if this also doesn’t work, the last hope for pregnancy is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). This will only be advised if all the other primary options fail in conception. IVF Treatment in India can be helpful in all the manners of facilities to financial.

Does having PCOS elevate the risk of complications during pregnancy?

The baby may be larger than normal for their gestational age if a woman is having PCOS. Also it increases the likelihood of requiring a caesarean section. 

Babies after delivery may need extra care so they may be admitted to newborn ICU. The risk of complications may be reduced with:

 

Priority of self care during pregnancy.

Observing the symptoms of PCOS.

Mental well being and PCOS

Fertility problems and continuous failure in conceiving can be really depressing. In fact, it can destroy mental health and peace. The journey from being infertile to conceiving is a roller coaster filled with emotions, stress, guilt, and much more. During this phase of marriage, the other partner needs to support the female, as this can work as a form of therapy. Although PCOS can impact your fertility, do not let it impact your relationship.

Moreover, some women can be treated for PCOS by simply changing their lifestyle and diet, which may allow them to conceive naturally. However, for some people, this path is filled with various obstructions, including societal pressures, health challenges, marital concerns, and pregnancy difficulties.

Conclusion

In conclusion, support of the male partner is a real remedy. Therefore, try supporting each other in this difficult phase of life and consult with the best IVF centre in India for a successful pregnancy.

Several treatments and lifestyle changes can treat the symptoms of pregnancy and help to conceive naturally.

Each case is different and unique from the other and similarly the success rate can be different. Therefore exact statistics are unobtainable. Consulting the doctor for fertility treatment options can improve the chance of conceiving.