How does PCOS affect fertility?

PCOS is the most common cause of infertility for women of reproductive age.

Infertility can be caused by factors affecting both men and women. For women, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) is the most common cause of infertility, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

PCOS is a hormonal condition that affects women over their lifetime. Women with PCOS tend to have high levels of male sex hormones or androgens.

Doctors don’t know exactly what causes PCOS but it is characterized by symptoms like ovarian cysts, weight gain, abnormal periods, infertility, acne, excessive hair growth in places where men usually grow hair (like the face and chin), and male-pattern baldness.

Up to 12 percent of women of reproductive age (about 5 million women) are affected by PCOS. Here’s what you need to know about how PCOS impacts fertility and how you can get pregnant with PCOS.

PCOS and infertility

Infertility means not being able to get pregnant after a year or longer of unprotected sex, according to the CDC. It affects about 6 percent of women aged 15 to 44 in the U.S.

Conditions that affect the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or uterus may all contribute to infertility.

PCOS can interrupt a woman’s menstrual cycle, leading to irregular periods and irregular ovulation or a lack of ovulation. This can make it harder to get pregnant as the ovaries do not consistently produce an egg.

Hormone levels are one way to measure ovarian function.

For example, FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH) are two hormones that encourage ovulation. FSH stimulates the growth of an egg while LH triggers its release from the ovaries. While hormone levels do not confirm a PCOS diagnosis and cannot be used to predict fertility, women with PCOS may have lower levels of FSH compared to LH.

How to get pregnant with PCOS

It’s still possible to get pregnant with PCOS.

If you have PCOS, endometriosis, or other factors that could cause infertility, seeing your doctor right away can help.

To treat infertility in women with PCOS, doctors may recommend medication, surgery, or methods like intrauterine insemination (also known as artificial insemination).

The method they use depends on what causes infertility, age, and of course, the type of treatment you prefer.

There are medications that can cause ovulation or stimulate eggs to grow within the ovaries. Other medications can help lower the high level of male hormones that women with PCOS experience. Lowering the androgen levels can help the body ovulate.

For women with PCOS who are also obese or overweight, research shows that losing weight may also help improve menstrual function and fertility.

If you have PCOS or have symptoms that may indicate PCOS, talk to your doctor. A doctor may diagnose PCOS if you display two out of three major symptoms: high levels of androgens (male sex hormones), ovarian cysts, or irregular periods.

While there is no cure for PCOS, treatment such as birth control pills can help manage symptoms. If you’re looking for medical advice or treatment for PCOS, get started with Alpha today.