How to Get Pregnant with PCOS: Tips to Manage PCOS and Improve Fertility

1 in 10 females of childbearing age have polycystic ovarian syndrome, abbreviated as PCOS. As metabolism problems and hormonal imbalances are common side effects of PCOS, getting pregnant can be difficult. However, the good news is that PCOS is treatable through medications and lifestyle changes. So, if you’ve struggling to conceive, let’s find out pcos and conception tips.

Symptoms of PCOS

Before we discuss the best treatments and medications for PCOS fertility, it’s crucial to understand PCOS symptoms. That’s because many women with PCOS don’t even realize that they have it. If you have PCOS, you are likely to experience the following:

• irregular periods
• no periods
• excessive hair growth on the chin and face (a condition known as hirsutism)
• weight gain
• excessive acne on the upper back, chest and face
• skin darkening in areas under the breasts, the groin, and the neck creases
• hair thinning

If you have even some of these symptoms, visit a gynecologist at the earliest. They will do a transvaginal scan which can show if there are polycystic ovaries. High levels of testosterone (detected easily through blood tests) is another indication that a person has PCOS.

How Does PCOS Impact Fertility and Pregnancy

Now let’s explore the connection between PCOS and conception.

When women are physically grown enough to be mothers, every month, follicles are formed on the surface of the ovaries. Estrogen, a leading female sex hormone, play a key role in helping one of the follicles generate a mature egg. After that, the egg is released by the ovary and it’s ready to be impregnated as soon as sperm comes in contact with it.

However, PCOS can stand in the way of ovulation as well as egg development. As PCOS is a hormonal condition that disrupts the hormonal balance in the female body, it prevents the development of mature eggs.

Besides making you infertile, PCOS may cause problems even after you have conceived. Studies have shown that women with polycystic ovary syndrome have higher chances of:

• gestational diabetes
• miscarriage
• preeclampsia
• C-sections

The baby has a greater risk of being born with macrosomia and then spending time in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit).

So, for PCOS patients, it’s important to deal with PCOS before planning a pregnancy and that’s what we have explained in the next section.

Lifestyle Changes for PCOS Pregnancy

Now the question is: is it impossible to conceive with PCOS? The answer is no. So, if your pregnancy test results still show negative even after trying for more than 6 months, here are some PCOS and conception tips:

1. Maintaining a healthy weight

Many of your PCOS problems will subside without taking any medicine if you achieve success in losing weight. Fertility specialists always advise PCOS patients to stay in shape as the PCOS symptoms get worse for obese people. So, weight management and PCOS pregnancy should go hand in hand.

2. Tracking ovulation with PCOS

As your menstrual cycles are not regular, it’s challenging to figure out when you’re ovulating. So, the first thing that you need is an ovulation detection kit. With a kit, you can easily track your ovulation at home. Then, have intercourse on the days when the chances of getting pregnant are the highest.

3. Exercise for PCOS fertility

Regular exercise is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. And when you have PCOS, exercising dedicatedly will help you get pregnant as it manages PCOS symptoms and decreases hyperinsulinemia. It also has a positive effect on menstrual cycles and ovulation rates, thus improving fertility.

Lastly, exercising enhances the physiological well-being of would-be-mothers, making them stay motivated and optimistic.

Some excellent exercises for someone trying to get pregnant are cycling, yoga, Pilates, swimming, and walking.

4. A nutritious diet

Whether you have PCOS or not – eating balanced meals is a must for women who want to embrace motherhood. Hence, resist the temptation of fried foods and sugary delights and say yes to a diet for improving fertility in PCOS,

• lean meat
• fresh fruits and seasonal vegetables
• brown rice, barley, oats, and other whole grains
• fish
• lentils and beans
• dry fruits

Certain vitamins and minerals are necessary for a healthy pregnancy and proper growth of the baby. These include folic acid, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, and vitamin B12. As it isn’t always easy to get all these nutrients through food, you can request your doctor to prescribe some PCOS-friendly supplements.

Treatment for PCOS

Although PCOS can’t be treated, medications can treat its symptoms.

1. Fertility help

If you don’ achieve natural conception, fertility specialists recommend IVF. It is an assistive reproductive technology with good success rates and it can tackle various fertility problems. During IVF, injections are given for ovarian hyperstimulation. After that, the mature egg is brought in contact with sperm in a lab. When the sperm fertilizes the egg, it is carefully implanted in the womb of the would-be-mother.

2. Medications

There are many reliable medications to improve your reproductive health with PCOS. Clomiphene, for instance, is used extensively for ovulation induction for PCOS.

3. Surgery 

Ovulation induction can take place through surgery as well. Laparoscopic ovarian surgery is a surgical procedure that guarantees the induction of ovulation.

The Bottom Line

So, people with PCOS should not lose hope. To increase the chance of pregnancy, switch to a healthy lifestyle and consult a reputed fertility specialist. Your doctor will curate a treatment plan that works best for you and fulfills your dream of becoming a biological mother. All the best!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the best treatments to get pregnant with PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome is treatable. The top 3 PCOS fertility treatments are in vitro fertilization, medications (like clomiphene), and surgery (ovarian drilling).

Q. How can lifestyle changes improve fertility in PCOS?

Lifestyle changes can vastly improve infertility caused by PCOS. If women with polycystic ovary keep weight gain in check, follow PCOS-friendly fertility diets, exercise daily, and manage stress, their fertility levels will increase significantly.

Dr Ritu Agarwal

Dr. Ritu Agarwal is an appreciated IVF expert in Jaipur for IVF therapy, owing to her more than ten years of experience in this field. She is the top IVF specialist in Jaipur who makes every attempt to provide correct counseling and emotional support to patients in order to help them find the ideal solution for becoming parents.