How PCOS and Infertility are related?
One of the most common reasons a woman has trouble getting pregnant is a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).
It’s a hormone problem that interferes with the reproductive system.
When you have PCOS, your ovaries are larger than normal. These bigger ovaries can have many tiny cysts that contain immature eggs.
PCOS is extremely common. In fact, it is the most common cause of adulatory infertility, the kind of infertility that results from not having an egg released every month. As many as 1 in 10 women of reproductive age are estimated to have PCOS. Most often, symptoms appear in adolescence, around the start of menstruation, but may not develop in some women until their early to mid-20s.
Hormone Differences
PCOS causes a woman’s body to produce higher-than-normal levels of androgens. These are hormones that are usually thought of as male hormones, because men have much higher levels of androgens than women.
Androgens are important in the development of male sex organs and other male traits. In women, androgen are usually converted into the hormone estrogen.
Ovulation Problems
High levels of androgen interfere with the development of your eggs and the regular release of your eggs. This process is called ovulation
Common Symptoms of PCOS
– Irregular, heavy, or absent menstrual periods
– Cysts on one or both ovaries visible on ultrasound examination
– Infertility (inability to get pregnant)
– Increased or excessive hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes
– Acne, oily skin, and/or dandruff
– Weight gain or central obesity (excess fat around the midsection)
– Thinning hair on the head, like male pattern baldness
– Patches of dark skin on the neck, breasts, thighs, or arms
– Skin tags in the armpits or on the neck
– Pelvic pain
– Anxiety or depression
– Sleep apnea
PCOS and Fertility
PCOS drastically reduces fertility because it leads to problems with ovulation. Consequently, most women with PCOS need assistance in getting pregnant.
For women with PCOS who want to get pregnant, there are a variety of infertility treatments available. For example, the infertility can be treated by using medication that causes ovulation. The simplest treatments involve oral medications like Clomid, which can induce the body to ovulate. Additional fertility medications called phototropism could also be injected to help stimulate egg growth. Other treatments are available, including insulin sensitizing medications. Weight loss, exercise and a healthy diet may also improve ovulation in some women.
Finally, IVF (in vitro fertilization) is a commonly used treatment for women with PCOS. If you or someone you know has PCOS and is trying to get pregnant, talk to your doctor.
For consultation, visit:
Gaudium IVF West Delhi Centre
A-41, Chander Nagar, Janakpuri West
(Near Janakpuri West Metro Station)
New Delhi – 110 058 (India)
Contact: +91-11-48 85 85 85
Email: info@gaudiumivfcentre.com
