How does PCOS affect fertility in women?

If you are struggling to know why getting pregnant is harder for you, it could be PCOS.

Known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, it is one of the main reasons why many women are facing infertility in the current times. PCOS fertility problems are more common than most females realize. It can disrupt your ovulation, but it doesn't end your fertility journey right here. With the right support and early diagnosis, a major percentage of PCOS fertility cases get resolved.

What Is PCOS and Why Does It Affect Fertility?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that every 1 in 10 women of reproductive age suffer with. Those with PCOS suffer from higher levels of androgens and insulin. This hormonal shift can change the reproductive hormones, including LH and FSH, mandatory for regular ovulation.

If women don't ovulate every month, it becomes harder to predict or achieve pregnancy. Some of them can't release an egg at all, but others may ovulate only occasionally. That is why the PCOS fertility problem can vary from person to person. Some women dealing with PCOS may conceive naturally with time, while others may need some medical support.

What Causes PCOS?

PCOS isn't a single cause disorder; in fact, its exact cause is yet to be fully known.

Multiple factors work together, triggering PCOS. Your genetics may play a huge role, especially if your mother or sister has/had it once. Insulin resistance is another factor. If your body doesn't respond to insulin properly (higher insulin levels) it can make your ovaries produce more male hormones, specifically androgens. As these hormones rise, the ovulation becomes irregular.

Body inflammation will also add to the problem. Some women with PCOS have fertility signs for low-grade inflammation affecting egg development and hormonal balance.

Plus, lifestyle factors including your diet, stress and sedentary lifestyle can make it worse. Your lifestyle with a lack of physical activity will make the situation downgrade, though it isn't a direct cause.

How Can You Recognize the Symptoms of PCOS?

PCOS can look different for every female. Some of them barely see any changes in their menstrual cycle or physical health, but others notice strong symptoms. When you pay attention early on, it can make a huge difference in getting the right medical support.

• Typical PCOS symptoms include:

• Light, irregular or missed monthly periods

• Facial acne or stubborn breakouts post-teenage

• Abnormal hair growth on the face, chest or back

• Hair thinning (head) or male hair loss pattern

• Weight gain and difficulty in losing weight

• Fertility struggles
  

All of these signs are an impact of hormonal changes. They affect your ovaries and metabolism, and finally your reproductive health.

How Is PCOS Diagnosed?

PCOS fertility diagnosis is a process that involves various steps. You would start with a discussion with a gynaecologist or a fertility doctor at Bliss Fertility. The expert will ask about your periods with questions like how often they come, if they are regular, if they are painful, if there are any major PMSs. With these tiny details, the doctor can easily point out how your hormones are working.

Once done, your doctor may proceed with a physical exam. It will involve checking your skin, hair, and weight, along with waist measurements and blood pressure. The doctor may also look at the signs of insulin resistance.

But the key part of confirming PCOS are blood tests. With that, the doctor will measure your hormone levels (testosterone, LH, FSH, and insulin). These results will also assist in ruling out our adrenal issues or thyroid imbalance that may look similar to PCOS.

In some cases, the doctor at Bliss Fertility may also suggest an ultrasound scan. It will help in seeing if ovaries have small follicles (multiple) or if they are enlarged, as both are common in PCOS.

Leading that, doctors may also follow the Rotterdam Criteria for diagnosis. It means if you have any two of these three features on ultrasound — polycystic ovaries, high androgen levels, or irregular ovulation.

How Does PCOS Impact Fertility and Overall Health?

If a woman has PCOS, it is harder to get pregnant as the body stops releasing eggs regularly. With ovulation being regular, conception becomes very difficult.

PCOS may also increase the risk of miscarriage. Some women may also have to deal with gestational diabetes and other pregnancy-related issues.

Besides PCOS fertility, some females may also have to deal with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. But the good news is that all of these risks can be managed easily.

What Are the Treatment Options for PCOS Fertility Issue?

For PCOS fertility struggles, the treatment are:

Balancing hormones, managing symptoms and improving ovulation - the basics.

A lot of women may benefit from small differences like having balanced meals, being active throughout the day and maintaining body weight. With that, some doctors may also prescribe hormonal medicines to trigger ovulation and regulate periods.

Medicines like Metformin, Clomiphene or Letrozole are helpful. To some, doctors also advise hormonal birth control mainly to manage acne and irregular bleeding.

Conclusion

Overall, PCOS can be a roadblock in your way to pregnancy, but it is reversible. With the right medical help and regular efforts, any woman can get past PCOS and successfully experience motherhood.

If you are concerned about the fertility symptoms of PCOS and are having trouble conceiving, don't wait. Get ready to find out if PCOS is affecting your ability to get pregnant, so, book a consultation with the experts at Bliss Fertility today. Call Now

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