Summary. If you have PCOS, you can still expect to conceive within a year (or even less) as long as you are ovulating normally and have no other risk factors for infertility. If you do, it may take longer or require the input of a fertility specialist.
How does PCOS affect fertility? On average, women with PCOS take longer to fall pregnant than other women. This can be because they have irregular periods which means that they don't ovulate every month. Also, being overweight reduces fertility and can contribute to women with PCOS taking longer to conceive.
PCOS can cause missed or irregular menstrual periods. Irregular periods can lead to: Infertility (inability to get pregnant). In fact, PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility in women.
About 75% to 80% women with PCOS will ovulate after CC, and a conception rate of 22% per cycle has been reported.
It's also important to keep in mind that just because a woman has PCOS doesn't mean that she also has infertility. As one study points out, 70 to 80 percent of these women are infertile. (5) That leaves up to 30 percent of women who may become pregnant on their own without the use of fertility treatments.
PCOS is one of the most common contributing factors responsible for infertility. However, natural conception is possible. Making changes to your diet and lifestyle are some of the simplest ways to boost your odds. Women with PCOS who have a healthy weight are more likely to get pregnant than those who aren't.
Best age to get pregnant with PCOS
The best time for women with PCOS to get pregnant is before they turn 30. It's possible to conceive up to the age of 37, but fertility declines after the age of 32 with steeper decline occurring after age 37.
Checking your cervical mucus: A woman's cervical mucus changes throughout the course of her monthly menstrual cycle. At the start of her cycle, her cervical mucus will be dry. When cervical mucus is wet or the consistency of raw egg whites, ovulation may be approaching.
Ovulation is the process where the ovaries develop a mature egg that is then released into the uterus and can be fertilized by sperm. Women with PCOS usually have less than nine periods per year, or there is other evidence that they are not ovulating every month.
Ovulation induction
Injections or tablets (e.g. letrozole, clomiphene citrate or Clomid) may be used to stimulate the ovaries to increase egg production. Talk to your doctor about the best medicines for you.
It's possible to have PCOS and regular periods. However, this doesn't necessarily mean you are ovulating every cycle. PCOS can still lead to infertility, even if you have regular periods.
Women with PCOS may be more likely to have multiples (twins, or more). One study found that while the multiple pregnancy rate is 1.1% in the average population, it is 9.1% for women with PCOS patients.
It's important, meanwhile, to avoid processed foods such as bagels, white rice, crackers, and low-fiber cereals that can cause insulin to spike. An increased intake in plant proteins has been associated with a reduced risk of ovulatory infertility, according to a 2017 study.
If you have PCOS although the polycystic ovaries contain follicles with eggs in them, the follicles do not develop and mature properly - so there is no ovulation or release of eggs.
Pregnancy is totally possible with PCOS.
Firstly, many people with PCOS ovulate sometimes, though it may be irregular (with cycles often lasting longer than 35 days). If there's ovulation, there's a chance at pregnancy—with PCOS, it may just take longer, because ovulation isn't as frequent.
Pregnancy complications related to PCOS include: Miscarriage or early loss of pregnancy. Women with PCOS are three times as likely to miscarry in the early months of pregnancy as are women without PCOS. Some research shows that metformin may reduce the risk of miscarriage in pregnant women with PCOS.
It's also important to note that some women with PCOS find it easy to get pregnant with a first or second child but then struggle with infertility in later pregnancies, something known as secondary infertility.
PCOS is the primary cause of hyperandrogenism and oligo-anovulation at the reproductive age and is often associated with infertility 3 and clinical and metabolic disorders 4. The prevalence of infertility in women with PCOS varies between 70 and 80%.
A medicine called clomifene may be the first treatment recommended for women with PCOS who are trying to get pregnant. Clomifene encourages the monthly release of an egg from the ovaries (ovulation). If clomifene is unsuccessful in encouraging ovulation, another medicine called metformin may be recommended.
Your periods cycle will start becoming regular; 2. The dark patches will start to reduce, and your skin will become clearer; 3.
As previously stated, the shape of a PCOS belly differs from other types of weight gain. It often appears large and bloated but can also be small and round, depending on genetics and other factors. The PCOS belly involves the accumulation of visceral fat in the lower abdomen and typically feels firm to the touch.
Natural fertility begins to decline significantly for women around age 32. With the addition of an ovarian syndrome, women over 30 with PCOS will have greater risks associated with pregnancy, but a healthy pregnancy is still possible.
The combination of folate and inositol supplements, taken daily, can improve insulin function and promote ovulation in 60% of women.
If you are taking a PCOS supplement to improve your fertility, then a combination of myo-inositol and alpha lactalbumin should be considered. In addition, for women trying to conceive folic acid is a must. This vitamin reduces the risk of birth defects.