Polycystic ovary syndrome (often referred to as PCOS) is a common condition that affects between a quarter to a fifth of all reproductive-age women. It is the most common hormone problem experienced by women between puberty and menopause.
Women who have PCOS typically have higher levels of hormones called androgens and often struggle with ovulation (releasing an egg from the ovary). The imbalance of sex hormones can cause symptoms such as excessive hair growth, acne, or irregular menstruation.
Since PCOS is connected with the ovaries, menstruation, and hormones, many women with PCOS who desire conception are concerned about their ability to get pregnant. However, pregnancy with PCOS is very much possible.
Here are 8 things to consider if you have PCOS and want to become pregnant:
1. Education is Empowering: At Diana Health, we want every woman with PCOS to be empowered through education to understand this condition fully. If you have PCOS and a desire to conceive now or in the future, we can support you in exploring options.
2. Every Woman with PCOS is Different: Twenty-five percent of women with PCOS do not struggle to conceive. However, 75% of women with PCOS do have subfertility (the ability to conceive, but the chances of successfully conceiving each month are lower than normal) or infertility. Some women desiring conception want to just wait and see if they get pregnant without support, though it might be beneficial to consider preconception counseling and early prenatal care.
3. A Preconception Visit and Early Prenatal Care:
A visit before getting pregnant is advised for all women; however, women who have PCOS are especially encouraged to have a preconception visit. We also recommend that women with PCOS have early prenatal care. We offer convenient preconception counseling visits virtually, so you can have the visit in the comfort of your home. If you have PCOS and conceive, please reach out and let us know so that you can get scheduled with a member of our team.
4. Medication Support for Conception:
Medications, including metformin, clomiphene citrate, and letrozole, are routinely used to help women who have PCOS conceive. Two medications commonly used are metformin which decreases blood sugar levels and clomiphene citrate, which causes reproductive hormone levels to change, ultimately encouraging the ovaries to ovulate.
5. Assisted Reproductive Technology:
Most women with PCOS who want to conceive will get pregnant naturally or with the use of the medications listed above. For some women with PCOS, more advanced assisted reproductive technology may be needed in order to conceive, including procedures such as intra-uterine insemination or in-vitro fertilization.
6. Additional Testing and Information: Your Diana Health care team may need additional information such as blood work to look at hormone levels. Sometimes, blood is drawn to check a progesterone level at a certain time in your cycle or a certain number of days after taking a medication. We may also order a pelvic ultrasound to better evaluate your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus.
7. Lifestyle Suggestions:
We recommend that all women trying to conceive eat healthy, nourishing foods, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy sources of protein. Adequate but not excessive physical activity is recommended, along with plenty of restorative sleep. We also recommend that they deal with stress in healthy ways, including avoiding alcohol and tobacco use.
8. Pregnancy Risks:
Most women with PCOS can have a healthy pregnancy. However, women with PCOS do have a higher rate of some pregnancy complications including gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. At Diana Health, we are experts at helping women with PCOS have healthy and successful pregnancies and will make sure you receive excellent care.
Working closely with your Diana Health provider, who has experience helping women with PCOS conceive, you will get the care needed to optimize your chances of having a healthy pregnancy. We are experts at pregnancy and PCOS and are eager to support you. If you want help from one of our women’s health experts, schedule an appointment with Diana Health today.
