(Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) PCOS and Fertility

PCOS, which stands for polycystic ovarian syndrome, is a very common hormonal disorder in which the ovaries do not always produce an egg after the monthly cycle (which runs from the beginning of one menstrual cycle to the beginning of the next one). This causes infertility in women. It could make it more challenging to get pregnant. PCOS and fertility issues are believed to be quite widespread, affecting around one out of every five women.

If you are diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO), you have a significantly increased number of follicles, which are fluid-filled sacs that are located on the ovaries and are responsible for the release of eggs during ovulation. However, just because you have polycystic ovaries does not always imply that you have PCOS. PCOS is a condition that is connected to having hormone levels that are not balanced, but having PCO signifies that your ovaries are somewhat different from what most women’s ovaries look like.

Information for knowledge:

• It is believed that between 8 and 13% of women of reproductive age suffer from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
• Around the globe, up to 70% of afflicted women do not get a diagnosis.
• The most prevalent reason for not ovulating is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is also one of the primary causes of infertility.
• PCOS has been linked to a wide range of chronic health issues that may have an impact on both a person’s physical and mental well-being.
• PCOS tends to run in families, however, there are ethnic differences in how the condition expresses itself and how it affects individuals.

Symptoms of PCOS

Polycystic ovary disease can have different signs in different people. The symptoms may change over time, and there isn’t always a clear reason why they happen.

Some possible PCOS symptoms are:

• Infertility, acne or sticky skin, too much hair on the face or body, male-pattern baldness or hair loss, and periods that are heavy, long, irregular, uncertain, or not present at all. Gaining weight, especially around the belly.
• People who have PCOS are more likely to have other health problems, such as
• Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure
• heart sickness and high cholesterol
• Cancer of the lining of the uterus called uterine cancer was found.
• PCOS can also lead to worry, sadness, and a bad view of one’s body.
• People may look down on people who have certain signs, like infertility, fat, or hair growth that aren’t wanted.
• This can have an impact on other parts of your life, like your family, relationships, work, and community work.

Diagnosis Of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

If at least two of the following are present, you may have polycystic ovary syndrome:

After other possible reasons have been ruled out, signs or symptoms of high androgens include unwanted hair on the face or body, hair loss from the head, acne, or a high blood level of testosterone.

Women with polycystic Ovary Syndrome have issues in that their cycles aren’t regular or don’t come at all after other reasons have been ruled out, and enlarged ovaries are seen on an ultrasound.

Blood tests can show changes in hormone levels that are specific to a person, but these changes don’t happen to everyone. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can cause women to have higher amounts of:

In the ovaries, testosterone is an androgen hormone that affects hair growth; estrogen is an androgen hormone that encourages the growth of the endometrium, which lines the womb; luteinizing hormone (LH) is a pituitary hormone that affects hormone production by the ovaries and is important for normal ovulation; insulin is a hormone that helps the body use energy from food; and anti-Mullerian hormone checks the ovaries’ ability to become pregnant.

Doctors also look at the fact that unpredictable cycles and ovulation can be a normal part of childhood or menopause. Having polycystic ovaries may run in the family, and women who have a history of PCOS or type 2 diabetes in their family are more likely to get it themselves. It’s also not always easy to see on an ultrasound, and many women with PCOS may have scans that don’t show they have polycystic ovaries.

PCOS and Fertility

Treatment For PCOS

Although polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an illness that cannot be cured, some treatment options may help lessen its symptoms.

People who have irregular periods, problems getting pregnant, major acne, or quick hair growth should see a qualified medical professional.

Some people with  (PCOS) polycystic ovarian syndrome, find that making adjustments to their way of life might help alleviate some of the symptoms of the condition. The maintenance of a healthy, well-balanced diet in conjunction with an adequate quantity of regular physical exercise may make it easier for an individual to reduce their risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes as well as their overall body weight.

It’s possible that using birth control tablets, sometimes called the contraceptive pill or the pill, may help regulate menstrual periods and ease some of the symptoms that come along with them. Additional drugs may be used to treat acne as well as unwanted hair growth that is brought on by polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Complications And Problems From PCOS

Women with PCOS often have high levels of androgen and have an increased risk for a variety of issues. These may vary from one individual to the next and include the following:

Having difficulty affects fertility. Ovulation might be hampered when there are cysts present in the ovaries. That is the time of the month when one of your ovaries will release an egg. It is impossible to get pregnant if there isn’t an egg that’s in good enough shape to be fertilized by a sperm. Even if you have PCOS, there is a chance that you might still have a child. However, in order to achieve your goal, you may need to see a reproductive doctor and use treatment for infertility in women

Problems with insulin and diabetes both. Your body may produce an excessive amount of androgens if it is resistant to insulin. If you have insulin resistance, the cells in your muscles, organs, and other tissues don’t absorb blood sugar very efficiently. This may lead to a variety of health complications. As a consequence of this, you run the risk of having an excessive amount of sugar circulating through your circulation. Diabetes is the name given to this condition, and it may lead to issues with both your cardiovascular and neurological systems. PCOS has also been linked to gestational diabetes, which is diabetes that develops during pregnancy.

The syndrome of metabolism. The presence of this cluster of symptoms is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. High levels of triglycerides and low levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol are among the symptoms, along with high blood pressure and excessive amounts of sugar in the blood.

The following are some more frequent problems of PCOS:

• Abortions or births that are too early
• Depressive state
• Concern or worry
• Vaginal bleeding in addition to an increased likelihood of developing uterine cancer.
• Problems falling asleep, including obstructive breathing.
• Hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver

Infertility in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) may be treatable in several ways. Some infertility treatments include making lifestyle adjustments, taking medication, or undergoing surgical procedures. In-vitro fertilization, more often referred to as IVF, is a choice; yet, it is not devoid of any potential negatives.

PCOS and Pregnancy

Female bodies make more androgens than usual when a woman has PCOS. It is common to think of these hormones as male hormones since men have much higher amounts of them than women.

Androgens play a big role in how men’s sex parts and other male traits arise.

Most of the time, androgens are changed into estrogen in women.

Problems with ovulation

High amounts of androgens make it hard for your eggs to grow and for them to come out at the right time. The name for this process is ovulation.

Infertility in Women with PCOS, can’t get pregnant if a good egg isn’t released. Sperm can’t fertilize it. If you have PCOS, you might miss your period or have periods that come and go. This could be one of the first signs that something is wrong, like PCOS.

How to control your period

Birth control pills may be prescribed by your doctor. These pills contain estrogen and progestin that were made in a lab. By stopping the production of androgen, these pills can help you keep your period regular and treat PCOS

If you can’t handle a pill that contains both estrogen and progestin, your doctor may suggest a pill that only contains estrogen.

This pill is taken for about two weeks every month for one to two months. It’s also made to help keep your period in check.

Pills that can help you ovulate

If you are taking birth control pills for PCOS, you will not be able to get pregnant. But here are some medicines that might help you ovulate so you can get pregnant:

• A drug called clomiphene (Clomid, Serophene) is used to block estrogen. It is taken at the start of your cycle.
• If clomiphene doesn’t help you ovulate, you may be given metformin, a drug used to treat diabetes.
• If clomiphene and metformin don’t help, your doctor may give you a drug that has both a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and a luteinizing hormone (LH) in it. This medicine is shot into you.
• If you’re taking Femara, letrozole is another drug that can help you ovulate. It’s sometimes taken when other drugs don’t work.

How to Change Your Diet and Way of Life for PCOS and Fertility

If you want to get pregnant, you should generally live a healthy life by eating better, working out regularly, not smoking, reducing your stress, and taking care of your diabetes and other health problems.

Dealing with weight

A lot of people with PCOS are overweight, but not all of them are. Hormones can change in some women when they gain a lot of weight. To get your hormones back to normal, you may need to lose weight if you are fat or overweight. If you lose 10 percent of your body weight, you might be able to better predict when your period will come. You should be able to get pregnant now.

Your doctor may tell you to watch the size of your meals and eat a diet smaller in calories and fat. Some people find it hard to lose weight, though. You might be able to get help from a chef or doctor. It can also be helpful to write down your meals and snacks or use an app to keep track of your food.

Taking care of blood sugar

An awful lot of people who have PCOS also have insulin resistance. That’s when insulin doesn’t work right in your body. Insulin makes sure that your blood sugar stays the same.

If you want to control your blood sugar, your doctor may tell you to eat foods that are lower in sugar and some types of carbs.  Fruits and veggies are good carbs. Some, like those in prepared foods, white bread, rice, potatoes, and sugar, you should stay away from, though. Another healthy food that can help with your blood sugar is fish, whole grains, chicken, and other lean meats.

Working out

Working out regularly can help you lose weight and build muscle. This may help lower insulin intolerance, which in turn may lower the amount of androgens in your body. In turn, that can help your PCOS.

FAQs Related PCOS and Infertility:

How does PCOS retain energy?

Women with PCOS tiredness should avoid junk and fried food and eat B-complex vitamins, iron, and minerals. Yoga and regular exercise are effective PCOS-related chronic tiredness treatments, together with a balanced diet and decent sleep.

Any PCOS-friendly foods?

The PCOS diet includes low-glucose non-starchy fruits and vegetables, little low-fat dairy, omega-3-rich fish, lean red meat, poultry, lentils, and healthy grains.

How can PCOS influence the mind?

Anxiety, sadness, and eating problems may result from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a hormone imbalance that causes infertility, obesity, and abundant facial hair in women.

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.