Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can cause weight gain, irregular periods, excess facial hair, acne, and thinning hair. It’s hard to ignore these symptoms.
It can also impact your fertility, but you might not realize it until you’re trying to expand your family. That’s because 70% of women with PCOS don’t know they have it.
As the number one cause of anovulation — meaning you don’t ovulate — PCOS is also a leading cause of infertility.
If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS, you may have questions about your fertility and whether pregnancy is still possible. The good news is that many women with PCOS can conceive with the right support and care.
Our team at OBGYN Westside, PLLC, offers both PCOS management and fertility counseling on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City. Read on to learn how PCOS can impact your fertility and how we can help.
PCOS is a hormonal disorder that affects 13% of women. In addition to irregular periods, you also have higher levels of androgens (male hormones) and small fluid-filled sacs (cysts) on your ovaries — hence the name of the condition.
These changes can make it more difficult to release an egg each month, which is why PCOS is linked to fertility challenges.
Yes, it’s possible to get pregnant naturally with PCOS. However, because ovulation may not occur regularly, it can take longer to conceive.
As you get older, it can naturally become harder to get pregnant, and PCOS can make it even more challenging. For instance, women in their mid-40s with PCOS are more than twice as likely to struggle with infertility compared to women the same age without PCOS.
Tracking your cycle, making healthy lifestyle choices, and working with your OBGYN Westside provider can increase your chances of success.
If natural conception is difficult, there are several effective treatments:
Managing your weight, eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly can help regulate your periods and improve ovulation. Losing weight can be particularly helpful. In fact, losing just 5-10% of your body weight can help reverse anovulation.
Fertility medications such as clomiphene or letrozole are often used to stimulate ovulation. For women who don’t ovulate regularly, this can be a game-changer when it comes to growing your family.
Your OBGYN Westside provider may prescribe insulin-sensitizing medications if insulin resistance is part of your PCOS.
By improving the way your body processes insulin, these medications can help regulate ovulation and make it easier to conceive. They may also support your hormone balance and reduce some PCOS symptoms.
Note: Some insulin-sensitizing medications like metformin may help you conceive, but should be stopped once you become pregnant.
While lifestyle changes and medication can help you lose weight and boost ovulation, sometimes it’s not enough. In these cases, we may recommend options like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF). Both can be considered if other treatments are not successful.
Women with PCOS who become pregnant may face a slightly higher risk of complications such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, or preterm birth. That’s why it’s important to work closely with our team for prenatal care and ongoing monitoring.
Our all-female obstetrics team specializes in high-risk pregnancy and can recommend the appropriate screenings — for gestational diabetes, for example — at the right point in your pregnancy.
If you’re ready to schedule your fertility consultation or simply have concerns about PCOS, contact us by calling our office or using our online booking tool to schedule an appointment.
