Expert Speak: Effects Of PCOS On Fertility And Its Treatment Options

PCOS is the acronym for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and is the most common endocrine disorder in women. PCOS is a disorder in the reproductive system caused by irregular menstrual cycles and polycystic ovaries. It leads to excessive unwanted facial hair and baldness in some patients. 

Read on to know the causes, effects on fertility and the available treatment options for PCOS:

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Commonly Known Causes Of PCOS

• Knowledge & Lifestyle: Most women lack awareness about PCOS and tend to ignore the early signs. Our lifestyle plays a significant role in causing PCOS. Lifestyle changes are considered to be the major factor leading to this phenomenon.

• Genes: This theory is still a work in progress. However, scientists and experts believe that PCOS may involve genetic factors. The causes are still unknown, and this theory is still being researched on.

• Insulin Levels: Excess insulin in the body also increases a woman’s risk of developing PCOS. Women with PCOS often have insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a condition that involves the body’s inability to lower blood sugar levels correctly.

This is a cycle because blood sugar levels can increase, which causes yet more insulin production. High levels of insulin also increase testosterone production, which leads to some of the symptoms of PCOS like excessive facial hair growth.

Effect Of PCOS On Fertility

Many women with PCOS have difficulty in conceiving. This is because PCOS is responsible for anovulatory infertility in over 75 per cent cases. It is a leading cause of infertility in general. Although many women with PCOS do not have any difficulty in getting pregnant, it is one of the most challenging and stressful effects of the disorder.

Four main concerns that women with PCOS have while conceiving:

• Ovulatory Difficulty: Not knowing when you are ovulating is a definite hurdle on the road to becoming pregnant.

• Hormonal Imbalance: An imbalance in hormones may prevent the lining of the uterus from developing properly to allow implantation of the mature egg.

• Menstrual Cycle: Due to unbalanced hormones and ovulation, one’s menstruation can become irregular. Unpredictable menstrual cycles make it difficult to get pregnant.

• Miscarriages: All the above factors can increase the risk of miscarriages in women suffering from PCOS.

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• Ovulation Induction: Conventional medicine suggests treatments for fertility in PCOS. The remedies typically revolve around what is commonly known as ‘ovulation induction’, or ‘superovulation’. Considering that lack of ovulation is one of the most critical factors impacting fertility in women with PCOS, medications are used to stimulate the ovary to release an egg.

However, it’s essential to know that for women who are already ovulating, this medication may not increase fertility to a great extent.

• IVF: In some cases, women with PCOS require ‘In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)’ to achieve a healthy pregnancy. In this scenario, daily fertility injections are used to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, which are harvested through a minor procedure.

• Natural Conception: If you want to opt for a natural route to conception which is gaining more popularity today due to the increased awareness of the side effects of the hormone pills – the first step in this treatment is lifestyle modification, including a healthy diet and regular exercising.

The diets shown to be most successful in PCOS patients include those with good quality carbohydrates and reduced glycaemic load. Recommended exercises in PCOS patients is at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise three times per week, with daily exercise being the ultimate goal.

• Homeopathy and PCOS: Lastly, women world-wide are opting for homoeopathy as these medicines are known to be natural, safe and focus on the root cause of the disease. Homoeopathy works to correct hormonal imbalance, regularising ovulation as well as restoration of menstrual normalcy. Homoeopathy is an individualised treatment and therefore, effectively addresses and treats the associated symptoms of PCOS effectively.

Also Read: 5 Major Signs You Could Be Suffering From PCOS