Women with PCOS often worry about their fertility and reproductive health, such as whether they can get pregnant. PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is a complex hormonal condition that affects up to one in five women of childbearing age.
Many (but not all) women with PCOS are prone to anovulation and infertility, which is when the ovaries don’t always release an egg during the menstrual cycle.
As a result, they may find it more difficult to conceive than other women. Fertility treatment or a long conception period may be necessary for most women with PCOS, but getting the right advice and support can help improve fertility and increase the chances of pregnancy.
It can lead to infertility if you ovulate irregularly or if you don’t ovulate at all. Insulin resistance due to PCOS can also lead to secondary infertility. This is when you have gotten pregnant at least once before, but are now unable to conceive.
Weight gain
Weight gain, a common side effect of PCOS, could be the biggest problem behind infertility. It is also more difficult to lose weight compared to women who do not have PCOS.
To research reveals that overweight and obesity have a detrimental effect on reproductive health, leading to infertility. Besides the subfertility common in PCOS, obese women experience disturbances in the system controlling female reproduction. This dysfunction causes obese women with PCOS to frequently suffer from menstrual irregularities.
Note from The Fitness Freak
PCOS causes oligo- or anovulation, hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries, as well as obesity and insulin resistance. These endocrine diseases are the known risk factors for inducing infertility, pregnancy loss, and late pregnancy complications, indicating that PCOS has a negative impact on fertility. However, a woman with PCOS can get pregnant with fertility treatment and lifestyle changes, including healthy diet and exercise.
Boosting Fertility with PCOS: Like a Pro
Most women with PCOS will be able to conceive with fertility treatment, but cases vary so much and different treatments show different success rates. Working with PCOS can be a long, complicated, and anxious process. And HealthifyMe would invest time in the right diet, create a PCOS-specific fitness program, and de-stress your life.
Have you had difficulty conceiving because of your weight? Or do you want to lose weight with PCOS? HealthifyMe’s personalized weight loss plans might be right for you.
Although PCOS makes it harder to conceive, there are ways to increase fertility.
Medications
Many women with PCOS can improve their fertile window with anti-ovulation medication. These drugs can promote healthy ovulation. However, talk to a doctor or fertility specialist first to find the best type and dose of medication.
Reduce stress
When it comes to infertility, reducing your stress shows a huge difference. You may benefit from therapy, yoga, meditation, exercise, or connecting with loved ones. However, long-term stress with PCOS can take some time to heal.
Find your healthy weight
Losing around 10% of body weight can improve your hormonal balance and ovulation. Additionally, maintaining a weight compatible with your height and age can improve your menstrual cycle, reduce insulin resistance, and increase overall fertility.
Additionally, women with PCOS who exercise regularly will have a 5% lower risk of infertility than those who do not. However, excessive and fad diets for weight loss are unhealthy. Instead, aim for moderate-intensity exercise 3-5 days a week for the best, safe results.
Balanced diet
A well-balanced PCOS diet allows insulin to work properly, decreases androgen production, and boosts fertility. Choose nutrient-dense foods rich in vitamins and minerals to reduce the severity of PCOS symptoms.
High-quality, fiber-rich carbs help stabilize your blood sugar, which benefits people with insulin resistance. However, restricting or avoiding entire food groups will not provide long-term results. Therefore, work with a nutritionist to determine a personalized PCOS diet to optimize your health.
Surgical options
If lifestyle changes and medications fail, surgical procedures are available for women with PCOS to boost fertility. For example, ovarian drilling is a surgical treatment to trigger ovulation. Although ovarian drilling is not always necessary, more than 50% of women can become pregnant within the first year after surgery.
Conclusion
For women trying to conceive, PCOS can make it difficult due to hormonal imbalances and irregular periods. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant.
You can reduce fertility issues with a balanced diet, regular exercise, weight loss, and medication. Improving your fertility when you have PCOS can take time, effort and recalibrating your lifestyle habits, but it can happen.
Since insulin resistance and high blood sugar are common with PCOS, switching to HealthifyPro is an easy way to continuously monitor your blood sugar.
It’s also important to test your metabolic markers regularly if you have PCOS. A HealthifyPRO 2.0 subscription has a comprehensive metabolic panel that monitors over 80 key metabolic parameters. With just one sampling bite, you can access accurate data about your metabolic health from the comfort of your home. A metabolically healthy person is less likely to suffer from chronic diseases and other health problems, including fertility issues.
