Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of infertility, affecting approximately 10% of women. Fortunately, both fertility treatments and lifestyle changes can help women with PCOS realize their dreams of becoming parents. 

What is PCOS?

PCOS is a disorder caused by an imbalance in reproductive hormones. Women with PCOS typically have high levels of male hormones called androgens and are insulin resistant.

When your hormones are out of balance, your menstrual cycle and ovulation are thrown out of whack. You may experience irregular or long periods, or no periods at all. Your ovaries also produce multiple cysts containing immature eggs. 

PCOS also causes other symptoms, such as acne, excessive hair growth on your face and body, skin tags, thinning hair, darkening skin, and weight gain. 

Why is Getting Pregnant With PCOS Difficult?

During a normal menstrual cycle, your body selects one egg to mature and release.  A follicle, or sac, in the ovary protects the egg until it matures and is released during ovulation. With PCOS, follicles often fail to develop and you may not ovulate at all. 

If PCOS prevents you from ovulating, it’s impossible for you to become pregnant. The hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS can also make it difficult for you to become pregnant even if ovulation occurs. You may experience inflammation in your ovaries or your uterine lining may not be thick enough which can prevent an embryo from implanting.

Women with PCOS often experience more pregnancy complications, including an increased  risk of gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, miscarriage, problems with the placenta, gestational hypertension, and the need for a caesarean section. 

Despite these difficulties and complications, PCOS is one of the most treatable causes of infertility, and there’s a good chance you can still get pregnant.

Lifestyle Changes to Help You Get Pregnant

Because PCOS is closely linked with insulin resistance, obesity and inflammation, the lifestyle changes listed below can be very beneficial when it comes to getting pregnant with PCOS. These changes help you lose weight, reduce inflammation, and help regulate your hormone levels and improve PCOS symptoms.

• • Reaching a healthy weight. If you’re overweight, losing even 10% of your weight can help regulate your menstrual cycle and improve ovulation. Losing weight is also linked to lower insulin resistance and inflammation in your body.
  • Eating a healthy diet. Eating healthier foods can help you lose weight and regulate your hormones. The Mediterranean diet is a great choice for PCOS.
  • Getting regular exercise. Exercise helps you lose weight and reduce stress, both of which are important for managing PCOS. Exercise also helps counteract some of the risk factors associated with PCOS, like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

• Lowering your stress levels. When you feel stressed, your body releases cortisol, another hormone that can worsen PCOS symptoms. Lowering your stress levels through techniques like meditation and yoga can help balance your hormones.

Treatments That May Help You Get Pregnant

You may need medication to help balance your hormones, control certain health conditions (like diabetes), or trigger ovulation. 

In vitro fertilization also helps many women with PCOS get pregnant. Medication will stimulate your body to mature multiple eggs, which will be retrieved and combined with your partner’s sperm (or donor sperm). Once your embryos have grown in the lab, you can transfer an embryo right away or genetically test and freeze the embryos for future use.

IVF offers several advantages for people with PCOS. The success rates for IVF are higher than those achieved through medication alone, and genetic testing allows your doctor to choose the healthiest embryo for implantation. IVF also reduces the risk of having twins or triplets, which can be a concern with PCOS. 

A surgical procedure called ovarian drilling is sometimes helpful for getting pregnant with PCOS. During this surgery, your doctor creates tiny holes in the outer part of your ovary, which is often thickened by PCOS. Ovarian drilling helps your body resume ovulating, but the effects are temporary. 

When to See a Doctor for Help Getting Pregnant With PCOS

It’s important not to wait too long to see a doctor for help getting pregnant with PCOS. As a general rule, you should see a fertility specialist after 12 months of trying to become pregnant if you are under 35 and after six months if you are over 35. However, you may wish to see a fertility specialist sooner if you have PCOS. 

And while lifestyle changes are helpful for many with PCOS, it’s common to need fertility treatment, too, especially if you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a while or are over 35. Your doctor can provide guidance about the best strategy for you. 

If you need help getting pregnant with PCOS, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Macer in Los Angeles, CA. Our experienced team at Halo Fertility will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan to ensure your best chance for a successful pregnancy.