What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and Can I Still Get Pregnant?
A diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) can be daunting. What exactly is PCOS? How does it affect a woman's fertility? And are women with this condition able to get pregnant and have healthy babies?
1. What it Is. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a condition in which a woman's hormones are imbalanced, causing issues with her menstrual cycle, general health and possibly with her fertility. Women with PCOS produce benign cysts on one or both ovaries, hence the title poly (multiple)-cystic.
2. Symptoms. Symptoms of this condition may include an irregular menstrual cycle, acne, weight gain/difficulty losing weight, insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome, hirsutism (excess body and facial hair), thinning scalp hair, depression and dark patches on the skin. Not all women will have every one of these symptoms, and only a doctor can diagnose PCOS. Don't self-diagnose; see your doctor or reproductive endocrinologist.
3. Causes of PCOS. Experts don't always know what causes PCOS, but the condition is not as rare as you might think. As many as 1 in 15 women will be diagnosed with PCOS this year. Some women with PCOS have multiple hormonal issues, including thyroid imbalance. But it's a chicken-or-egg situation. It is often unknown whether other hormonal imbalances cause PCOS, whether having PCOS causes other systems to go out of whack or whether something else, external or internal, caused the condition.
4. PCOS and Pregnancy. Because PCOS causes so many women to have issues with their menstrual cycles and may cause or contribute to infertility, the question on your mind might be, "Can I still get pregnant?"
It's not an easy question to answer. Many women with PCOS do get pregnant and have successful pregnancies and healthy babies. However, know that your odds are lower than for a woman who does not have PCOS and is in general good health.
But don't let that stop you -- consult your gynecologist for help. She may or may not refer you to a reproductive endocrinologist (RE) or other specialist. Such specialists are very familiar with the condition and will advise you on diet, your current medication regimen if any, and may prescribe drugs such as Metformin (a common diabetes medication) or Clomid (to cause you to ovulate). She will probably wish to continue to monitor you closely (including hormone levels) throughout your pregnancy.
The bottom line: Don't let a PCOS diagnosis stop you from trying to begin a family. Many women each year with PCOS deliver healthy infants. See your doctor sooner rather than later and make sure to research your condition thoroughly and follow all medical advice. The more you know about this condition now, the better your odds of getting pregnant in the future.
Photo: MD Clic Photography
Sources: Fertility Problem Options, Get Pregnant FAQ
A diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) can be daunting. What exactly is PCOS? How does it affect a woman's fertility? And are women with this condition able to get pregnant and have healthy babies?
1. What it Is. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a condition in which a woman's hormones are imbalanced, causing issues with her menstrual cycle, general health and possibly with her fertility. Women with PCOS produce benign cysts on one or both ovaries, hence the title poly (multiple)-cystic.
2. Symptoms. Symptoms of this condition may include an irregular menstrual cycle, acne, weight gain/difficulty losing weight, insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome, hirsutism (excess body and facial hair), thinning scalp hair, depression and dark patches on the skin. Not all women will have every one of these symptoms, and only a doctor can diagnose PCOS. Don't self-diagnose; see your doctor or reproductive endocrinologist.
3. Causes of PCOS. Experts don't always know what causes PCOS, but the condition is not as rare as you might think. As many as 1 in 15 women will be diagnosed with PCOS this year. Some women with PCOS have multiple hormonal issues, including thyroid imbalance. But it's a chicken-or-egg situation. It is often unknown whether other hormonal imbalances cause PCOS, whether having PCOS causes other systems to go out of whack or whether something else, external or internal, caused the condition.
4. PCOS and Pregnancy. Because PCOS causes so many women to have issues with their menstrual cycles and may cause or contribute to infertility, the question on your mind might be, "Can I still get pregnant?"
It's not an easy question to answer. Many women with PCOS do get pregnant and have successful pregnancies and healthy babies. However, know that your odds are lower than for a woman who does not have PCOS and is in general good health.
But don't let that stop you -- consult your gynecologist for help. She may or may not refer you to a reproductive endocrinologist (RE) or other specialist. Such specialists are very familiar with the condition and will advise you on diet, your current medication regimen if any, and may prescribe drugs such as Metformin (a common diabetes medication) or Clomid (to cause you to ovulate). She will probably wish to continue to monitor you closely (including hormone levels) throughout your pregnancy.
The bottom line: Don't let a PCOS diagnosis stop you from trying to begin a family. Many women each year with PCOS deliver healthy infants. See your doctor sooner rather than later and make sure to research your condition thoroughly and follow all medical advice. The more you know about this condition now, the better your odds of getting pregnant in the future.
Photo: MD Clic Photography
Sources: Fertility Problem Options, Get Pregnant FAQ