About one in 10 women who are in their reproductive years have PCOS, which is a hormonal condition of the body. As a group, women with PCOS have more insulin and androgens (male-type hormones) than other women do. This hormonal imbalance can cause a wide range of symptoms and make it hard to get pregnant.
What is PCOS?
Women with PCOS have an abnormally high level of androgen production, a male-sex hormone that is normally present in small amounts inside the female reproductive system. Polycystic ovary syndrome is the name given to the many small cysts (fluid-filled sacs) that form in the ovaries. However, some women who have this disorder don’t have cysts, while some women who don’t have this disorder do.
When a mature egg comes out of an ovary, it’s called ovulation. This happens so it can be sperm from a male to be able to have a child. It is sent out of your body during your period if the egg hasn’t been paired with sperm.
In some situations, a woman’s hormone production is insufficient, and this prevents her from ovulating. It is possible for the ovaries to generate several tiny cysts when ovulation does not occur. Androgens are produced by these cysts. Androgens are commonly elevated in women with PCOS. Women’s menstrual cycles may be disrupted even further as a result of this. Many of the signs and symptoms of PCOS can be brought on by it.
Causes
The cause of PCOS isn’t clear. Many women with PCOS have trouble with insulin. This means that the body doesn’t work well with insulin. People who have a lot of insulin in their bodies may have a lot more androgen in their bodies. Obesity can also raise insulin levels and make the symptoms of PCOS worse.
PCOS may also be passed down through the generations. A lot of sisters or a mother and daughter have PCOS.
Symptoms
PCOS may result in
- Irregular or no periods
- Taking longer to fall pregnant
- Weight gain
- Increased risk of diabetes
- Excess hair growth
- Acne (pimples)
Periods are considered “irregular” if the interval between periods (the duration of your cycle) is constantly shifting. As a general rule, the menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, however this can vary widely. Symptoms of pregnancy with PCOS can vary from woman to woman, with some having lesser symptoms and others having more severe ones.
PCOS and Pregnancy?
Can women with PCOS can get pregnant? When it comes to getting pregnant, women with PCOS usually take longer to get pregnant than other women. Because they have irregular periods, which means that they don’t ovulate every month, they may not be able to have children. Women with PCOS may also have a hard time getting pregnant if they’re overweight.
Even though women with PCOS have more fertility problems than other women, they still need to use a good form of contraception to avoid having an unplanned pregnancy.
PCOS Diagnosis
You will be asked about your medical history and symptoms by your doctor. You will also get a physical examination. In most cases, a pelvic exam is going to be a part of this procedure. Examine your reproductive organs both inside and outside your body.
Other health issues can cause some of the same symptoms as PCOS. If this is the case, you may additionally be asked to take tests like:
- Ultrasound: In this test, sound waves and a computer are used to make pictures of blood vessels as well as tissues and organs. This test looks at the size of the ovaries and whether they have cysts. Another thing the test can look at is how thick the lining is on the inside of the uterus (endometrium).
- Blood Analysis: blood test looks for androgens and other hormones in the blood. Your doctor may also check your blood sugar levels. This is another thing that they might do. You may also want to have your cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked as well.
Treatment
The symptoms of PCOS can be addressed, but there is no cure for PCOS. Eating healthily and exercising regularly are recommended if your BMI is greater than 30. This may be enough to get your body to ovulate on its own. Even if it doesn’t, it will improve the effectiveness of your drug and lower the dangers associated with it while you’re pregnant. PCOS-related infertility can be treated with a variety of medications.
- Clomiphene citrate: Clomiphene citrate (CC) is the first treatment option for PCOS patients who don’t ovulate because it’s cheap, has few side effects, and doesn’t need to be monitored every day.
- Metformin: PCOS patients who have insulin resistance may benefit from taking metformin. In addition metformin medication from the late first trimester till delivery might reduce the risk of late miscarriage and premature birth.
- Diabetes medication: PCOS patients with insulin resistance may benefit from this treatment. Hair growth might be slowed, and ovulation can be more regular if your testosterone levels are reduced with the use of this medication.
- Diet and Activity: You can lose weight and relieve your symptoms by eating healthily and exercising more. In addition, they can help your body better utilize insulin, lower blood sugar levels, and may even help you conceive.
- Best supplement for PCOS: You should take inositol, which is perhaps the best supplement for PCOS that you can take if you have PCOS and are trying to get pregnant. It makes no difference whether you are attempting to conceive naturally or through procedures such as IVF. Even if you are not planning to become pregnant, inositol is a vital supplement to take into consideration.
Bottomline
Women of childbearing age are more likely to suffer with PCOS. The ovaries of women with PCOS may be filled with many tiny cysts and may not ovulate. PCOS can cause infertility, weight gain, and skipped or irregular menstrual periods.
Healthy living can make it more likely that you will get pregnant and have a healthy baby. To be healthy, you need to be in a healthy weight range and not smoke or drink alcohol. You also need to get a lot of exercise every day and get enough sleep.
