Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can make conceiving challenging and add to the anxiety a woman is experiencing. However, thanks to developments in reproductive medicine, today, there are effective solutions – from the simple regulation of a woman’s cycle to in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The most important thing is receiving a correct diagnosis and being given personalized guidance from a specialized medical team.
What are polycystic ovaries?
PCOS is a hormonal imbalance syndrome which affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. It is characterized by increased androgen (male hormones) levels and disordered ovulation, which often leads to an irregular or absent menstrual cycle.
Common symptoms include:
- Irregular or absent periods
- Hirsutism (excessive facial and body hair) and acne
- Difficulty losing weight
- Multiple small follicles on the ovaries (as seen on an ultrasound scan)
PCOS does not necessarily mean infertility, but it does require careful monitoring and a personalized approach for each woman.
How polycystic ovaries affect fertility
Irregular or absent ovulation is a primary reason for the reduced ability to naturally conceive in women with PCOS. If there is no ovulation, there is no oocyte available for fertilization.
Initial steps for tackling PCOS include:
- Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, physical exercise and a balanced diet.
- Hormonal stimulation for ovulation, with drugs such as chlomiphene or letrozole.
- Cycle monitoring, to identify the optimal time frame for attempting to conceive naturally.
In many cases, these simple interventions are enough to achieve pregnancy.
When is IVF necessary?
IVF is the treatment of choice when more conservative methods do not deliver results, or when there are multiple factors affecting fertility, such as reduced sperm quality or a woman is over 35 years of age.
In IVF, the oocytes are retrieved after controlled hormonal stimulation of the ovaries, they are fertilized in the laboratory, and the resulting embryos are transferred to the uterus. For women with PCOS, the stimulation protocol is adapted with care, as to avoid ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a rare but possible complication.
With the appropriate medical guidance and correct preparation, IVF success rates for women with PCOS are especially high, often leading to a successful pregnancy and the birth of a healthy child.
Learn more about the stages, duration and preparation needed for IVF here.