Planning a pregnancy with PCOS

Posted By Dr. Deepti Asthana on 20-10-2021

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which affects an estimated 5 million women, is one of the most frequent causes of female infertility. You can, nevertheless, get pregnant if you have PCOS. A variety of successful fertility therapies are available. With a combination of lifestyle modifications and fertility medications, most women will be able to conceive. While some women with PCOS may need IVF, the vast majority will be able to conceive with less-technical reproductive procedures.

Obesity Reduction to Restart Ovulation

Obesity is a problem for many (but not all) PCOS women. This is because PCOS has a detrimental impact on how your body handles insulin, which may lead to weight gain.

One of the major reasons people with PCOS are unable to conceive is because they do not ovulate or do not ovulate on a regular basis. Overweight women with PCOS are more likely to have more severe anovulation, lasting months between cycles.

Ovulation may be restored by reducing some weight, according to research. According to the study, reducing 5% to 10% of one's current weight may be enough to kick-start menstrual periods.

Unfortunately, there is no evidence that reducing weight can assist you in conceiving on your own. You may still need fertility medications. According to research, women who have reduced weight have a higher probability of having reproductive treatment success.

Losing weight is tough for anybody, but it may be more difficult for people with PCOS. Furthermore, not all women with PCOS are obese. If that's the case, losing weight isn't going to help you become pregnant.

PCOS, Diet, and Exercise

A balanced diet is essential for women with PCOS. This is due in part to their increased risk of getting overweight, and in part to their bodies' difficulty with insulin control. Is there a certain diet that is ideal for PCOS? That is up for discussion.

Some research have stated that a low-carb diet is the best for PCOS4, while other studies have shown no benefit to a low-carb diet. The most essential thing is to ensure that your diet is high in nutrient-dense meals and protein, and low in high-sugar items. Your best chance is to avoid junk food and processed meals.

PCOS Fertility Eating Strategies

Increase your protein and vegetables intake.

When you consume carbohydrates, choose complex carbohydrates (like whole grains and beans).

If you consume sweets or high carb foods, pair them with healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, nuts) or protein to reduce the sugar rise.

Exercise on a regular basis has also been shown to assist with PCOS symptoms. In one research, combining frequent brisk walking with a better diet increased menstrual cycle regularity by 50%.

It's unclear if diet and exercise will help you conceive on their own. A healthy lifestyle, on the other hand, may assist your fertility treatments function better and will undoubtedly make you feel better overall. It's worth the effort if you want to become pregnant, just as it's worth it if you want to lose weight.

Treatment

Ovulation-Inducing Drugs

You will be unable to get pregnant while using PCOS birth control tablets. However, if you require assistance ovulating in order to get pregnant, the following medications may be of assistance:

Clomiphene (Clomid, Serophene) is an anti-estrogen medication that is taken at the start of your cycle.

If clomiphene fails to induce ovulation, you may be given the diabetic medication metformin.

If clomiphene and metformin do not work, your doctor may prescribe a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) prescription (LH). This medication is administered in the form of a shot.

Letrozole is another medication that aids in ovulation (Femara). When other medicines are ineffective, it is occasionally used.

If you have PCOS and wish to become pregnant, you should consult with a reproductive medicine expert. A fertility expert is another term for this kind of clinician.

A specialist will help you obtain the appropriate dosage of medications, will assist you with any difficulties you may be experiencing, and will arrange frequent checks and ultrasounds to monitor how you're doing. (An ultrasound machine creates pictures of the interior of your body by using sound waves. It's a painless technique that helps monitor your baby's growth and development).

Changes in Lifestyle

Gaining a lot of weight may mess with some women's hormones. In turn, if you're obese or overweight, reducing weight may help restore your hormones to normal levels. Losing 10% of your body weight may make your menstrual cycle more predictable. This should assist you in becoming pregnant.

In general, leading a healthy lifestyle that includes a better diet, frequent exercise, quitting smoking, reducing stress, and managing diabetes and other medical problems could increase your chances of becoming pregnant.

Remember, if your period isn't coming on time or you've been diagnosed with PCOS, you should work closely with your doctor to bring it under control. Also, if you wish to get pregnant, consult with a fertility expert.

PCOS and infertility treated with IVF.

IVF is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) that uses a mix of medications and surgical techniques to aid sperm in fertilising an egg, following which the fertilised egg is placed in the uterus. IVF is the most often used therapy for PCOS women who are unable to conceive naturally. Even after adopting lifestyle modifications, some women with severe PCOS continue to have irregular ovulation, making it difficult for them to conceive. In these instances, women may choose for IVF procedures to aid in conception. Call and book your appointment with Dr Deepti Asthana, best pregnancy doctor in Gurugram.

For any pregnancy related issues, you can meet the best obstetrician in Gurugram, Dr Deepti Asthana. She is senior Consultant in Fortis Memorial Research institute, Gurugram and director of KALOSA CLINIC.

She is highly experienced, well educated and a brilliant surgeon.She is a friend to her patients and makes sure their 9 months journey is passed with happiness. She has rich experience of more than 15 years and that makes her an excellent and confident obstetrician. Her approach to patients is simple and filled with love and care.

If you want a hassle free pregnancy journey, please visit Dr Deepti Asthana in Kalosa Clinic or Fortis hospital, Gurugram.