How to Get Pregnant with PCOS?

PCOS is one of the most widespread endocrine illnesses. However, it is also one of the most neglected conditions affecting women’s health.

A key reason for the same is a lack of awareness regarding the consequences of unmanaged PCOS. The latest estimates indicate that one in five women has PCOS.

The advances in medical technology and knowledge of PCOS allow women access to various treatments. These advancements enable women to take a practical and safe approach to get pregnant, even with PCOS.

Understanding PCOS and Its Impact on Fertility

Most women with PCOS can get pregnant, though some may have difficulties conceiving. PCOS symptoms can include irregular or infrequent periods, problems with puberty, enlarged polycystic ovaries, weight gain, or difficulty getting pregnant.

Women with PCOS may produce too many androgens and too little estrogen (the female hormone), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which is necessary for pubertal development (male hormones).

FSH, secreted by the pituitary gland throughout a menstrual cycle, chooses which follicle in the ovary will mature and ovulate, finally releasing an egg. However, some PCOS patients may experience irregular egg maturation and ovulation, making it more difficult to conceive.

Women with PCOS may have more challenges with breastfeeding and milk production. In addition, they may be more likely to have miscarriages, premature births, stillbirths, and gestational diabetes.

However, the chances of conceiving increase with proper care and lifestyle changes. Women can do many things at home and seek assistance to lessen the effects of PCOS and increase the possibility of conceiving safely.

How To Get Pregnant With PCOS: Best Ways To Boost Fertility

If you have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), you may find it more challenging to get pregnant than other women. However, there are some things you can do to get pregnant quickly. Read on for some essential tips.

Lifestyle Changes

The first step toward increasing a woman’s conceiving abilities and having a healthy baby is maintaining a healthy lifestyle, per the international guidelines for assessing and managing PCOS.

The top lifestyle suggestions for naturally managing PCOS and conceiving are listed below:

• To combat inflammation, eat a diet low in inflammatory foods, such as trans fats and red meat.
• Replace your usual coffee or tea with green tea.
• When cooking, use herbs and spices such as ginger, cumin, fennel, bay leaves, etc.
• Increase your intake of beans (at least once a week)
• Include omega-3-rich foods in your diet, such as walnuts, flaxseed, chia seeds, and tuna or salmon.
• Consume a lot of fruits and veggies.
• Monitor your cycles to learn when you ovulate and when your reproductive period is active.
• Reduce your intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates to reverse your insulin resistance
• De-stress with yoga, meditation, or any other enjoyable activity to promote hormone balance and healthy adrenals. Managing stress can be difficult when suffering from infertility. Nevertheless, chronic stress can harm hormones and fertility.
• Maintain a regular workout schedule and stay active.

Medical Options

If you have been trying to conceive for a year without success, or six months if you are 35 or older, you may want to look into medical procedures to help with PCOS pregnancy. Your doctor may advise one of these four treatments if you wish to get pregnant soon despite PCOS:

Ovulation Induction

The first line of medical treatment for PCOS-related infertility is ovulation induction, which can be achieved through medication or injection. It causes the ovaries to release an egg that can be fertilised either during sex or through intrauterine insemination (IUI). Unfortunately, people with PCOS may not typically ovulate, manifesting as irregular or inconsistent periods. 

Artificial insemination or Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Artificial insemination, or intrauterine insemination (IUI), is the second line of medical treatment for PCOS pregnancy. The medical procedure involves injecting sperm from the male spouse or a donor into the female’s uterus shortly before ovulation. If the woman has irregular menstrual cycles, IUI and ovulation induction (OI) must be performed together. If not, it can be carried out during a regular menstrual cycle.

In-vitro Fertilization (IVF)

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a more invasive reproductive therapy that may be necessary for PCOS patients who cannot conceive despite the first two medical treatments (IVF). With in vitro fertilisation (IVF), sperm and eggs from both partners are taken and fertilised outside the body. After that, the fertilised egg or eggs are brought back to the uterus.

Surgery

If you are experiencing reproductive issues due to PCOS and your medication is not working, your doctor may recommend a minor surgical procedure called laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD). This procedure is done under general anaesthesia and involves your doctor making a small cut in your lower stomach to insert a laparoscope, a long, thin microscope. LOD has been shown to increase levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), decrease levels of testosterone and luteinising hormone (LH), and balance these hormones (FSH) and get your ovaries back to normal functioning.

The HealthifyMe Note

If you are diagnosed with PCOS, you can still become pregnant. You will likely need to treat other PCOS symptoms with medication and a healthy lifestyle. Maintaining a healthy weight and controlling your blood sugar levels are essential. In rare cases, you may be able to become pregnant solely with fertility medications. If that fails, you might require IVF treatment or surgery. Don’t give up, and keep trying new remedies.