Does PCOS affect fertility? This is the most common question asked by women who get diagnosed by PCOS. Let’s us first understand PCOS, its symptoms and its causes.
What Is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Pcos)?
PCOS is the abbreviation for polycystic ovary syndrome, a common hormone-related disease. In this condition, the ovaries do not always release eggs at the end of the menstrual cycle (from the beginning of one period to the beginning of the next period). If you are diagnosed with PCOS that means your ovaries are slightly larger than normal. You have more follicles (the fluid-filled sacs in your ovaries that release eggs when you ovulate). It is considered very common, affecting one in every five women in India. It may cause difficulty in pregnancy.
Symptoms Of PCOS
Some of the most common symptoms of having PCOS are:
- Irregular or absent menstruation
- More facial or body hair
- Less hair on the head
- Difficulty losing weight or rapid weight gain
- Acne or oily skin
- Difficulty in becoming Pregnancy
If the length of your menstrual cycle is constantly changing, then your cycle is considered irregular. The average menstrual cycle lasts about 28 days, but it is normal for it to be shorter or longer.
You may experience some of the symptoms of PCOS, but they vary from woman to woman. Some women have mild symptoms and others experience more severe ones.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME?
The exact cause of PCOS is not known. But high levels of male hormones are believed to prevent the ovaries from producing hormones and ovulate normally. Genes, insulin resistance, and inflammation have all been linked to excess androgen production. If one of your relatives (mother, aunt, sister) has the disease, you have higher chances of getting affected by PCOS.
The symptoms of PCOS are due to hormonal imbalance. Women with PCOS have slightly higher testosterone levels than normal, which can cause an increased facial hair.
If you have PCOS, your body may not respond to insulin (this is called insulin resistance), resulting in a higher glucose level. High insulin levels can cause weight gain and fertility problems. If you have been diagnosed with PCOS, it might increase your risk of developing diabetes later in life.
PCOS RESULTS IN ABNORMAL OVULATION
During a regular menstrual cycle with ovulation, one egg matures in the follicle of an ovary. The egg that is the most mature gets released into one of your fallopian tubes, where it will meet the sperm (if any).
If you have PCOS, follicles cannot develop and mature normally, so they will not ovulate or release eggs when they should. This is called anovulation.
PCOS in many women is not discovered until they try to get pregnant, especially when using hormonal contraceptives, which will cover irregular or missing menstruation by allowing menstruation.
So, to answer to the question Does PCOS affect fertility? Having PCOS does not necessarily mean you can’t get pregnant. PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility in women. But its symptoms are treatable. In women with PCOS, the hormonal imbalance interferes with the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation). If you don’t ovulate, you can’t get pregnant.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR PCOS?
PCOS is not curable itself, but the symptoms can be treated. If your BMI is more than 30, it is recommended that you lose weight through healthy diet and exercise. It will cause your body to ovulate on time and regulate your menstrual cycle. If you still don’t ovulate, it will make your medication work better and will reduce any risks during pregnancy.
There are many ways to manage your PCOS. You are strongly advised to consult an experience gynaecologist or a fertility specialist to get a proper solution to your PCOS problems. You can book an appointment with, Dr Gouri Sultane, who is one of the best fertility specialists in Mumbai. She is highly experienced in helping you resolve issues, like PCOS, that can affect fertility.