Michigan Fertility Clinic

PCOS and Fertility: What You Need to Know

By rmami

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects 6% to 12% (as many as 5 million) of United States women of reproductive age. PCOS can have a significant impact on fertility. If you are trying to conceive and you have PCOS, it is important to understand the implications of the condition and how you can work with your fertility doctor to manage it.

What is PCOS?

PCOS is a hormonal disorder that affects women of childbearing age. The condition is characterized by the presence of multiple cysts on the ovaries, and it can cause a variety of symptoms including irregular periods, weight gain, infertility, and hair loss. PCOS is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and there is no cure.

For women with PCOS who are trying to conceive, the main challenge is often infertility. Women with PCOS have a higher risk of infertility due to the irregular ovulation that is common with the condition. In addition, PCOS can also lead to other problems such as endometriosis, which can further complicate fertility.

How to Get Pregnant With PCOS: Fertility Treatment Options

Fortunately, there are fertility treatments available that can help women with PCOS get pregnant. According to American Society for Reproductive Medicine, patient with infertility and PCOS should try an oral fertility medicine such as chromiphere citrate or letrozole. When the oral medicine treatment was unsuccessful then, the patient should try injected fertility medicines such as gonadotropins. Insulin-sensitizing medicines such as metformin can also help the body use insulin more effectively to improve ovulation. If those fertility treatments don’t work, in vitro fertilization (IVF) may help women with PCOS get pregnant. IVF is a process by which eggs are harvested from the ovaries and fertilized in a laboratory, and then the resulting embryos are transferred to the uterus. IVF can be an effective treatment for infertility, and it can also help to avoid some of the complications associated with PCOS, such as endometriosis.

If you are having trouble getting pregnant with PCOS, it is important to talk to your fertility doctor about your treatment options. IVF may be a good option for you, but there are other treatments available as well. With the help of your fertility clinic, you can work to manage your PCOS and improve your fertility.

If you have PCOS and would like to schedule a consultation with our fertility doctors at RMA of Michigan, please contact our office at (248) 619-3100.