Getting Pregnant With PCOS – What Should You Know

As you may already be aware, PCOS is a common condition that affects almost 1 in 20 women. You may not even realise that you have PCOS until you’re trying for a baby and once correctly diagnosed, whilst this may bring you some relief, it can also cause panic for many women. Lots of women assume that once they have been diagnosed with a condition like PCOS then they won’t be able to have a baby and this simply isn’t the case. 

To help put anyone’s mind at ease who has just been diagnosed with PCOS and is trying to get pregnant, our team here at London IVF and Genetics Centre have put together some different fertility options for getting pregnant with PCOS and also helpful ways that you can treat the condition. Hopefully, this guide will help you see that you actually have many different options available to help you when it comes to getting pregnant with PCOS.

Treating PCOS 

Whilst there is no cure, so to speak, for PCOS, there are definitely ways that you can treat the symptoms you may be experiencing. 

  • Lifestyle changes 

For women that are currently overweight, making some lifestyle changes can make a difference to the symptoms they are experiencing. Try to ensure that you’re exercising regularly and eating a healthy balanced diet, your GP may also be able to refer you to a dietitian if you need specific dietary advice. Try to ensure that your BMI remains healthy at all times. 

  • Medication 

There are also a number of different medications that are available to treat different symptoms associated with PCOS too. From assisting with irregular menstrual cycles to treating excessive hair growth, the medication options available to someone living with PCOS can make a huge difference to their life. 

Fertility treatment for PCOS 

It is possible to get pregnant with PCOS and there are lots of different fertility treatment options that will be able to assist if you require some help with conception.

  • Ovulation induction 

This fertility treatment can assist with the irregular periods that people with PCOS experience. Ovulation induction involves the use of medication to stimulate the development of follicles in the ovaries. This is often used alongside fertility tablets or injections to assist ovulation too. The vast majority of people with PCOS successfully get pregnant with these simpler treatments.

  • Artificial insemination or IUI

Sometimes, artificial insemination or IUI may also be recommended to help you get pregnant with PCOS. This is a relatively straightforward fertility treatment and it can be incredibly effective. The artificial insemination procedure can increase the chances that your partner’s sperm will find your egg, aiding fertilisation and conception. 

  • IVF 

If other fertility treatments aren’t successful, IVF may be recommended to help you get pregnant with PCOS. IVF can be just as successful in women with PCOS as those not suffering from PCOS. Not all IVF treatment is the same and a specific plan will be put in place to maximise your IVF treatment success with PCOS, also taking into account any other relevant factors too. 

Getting pregnant with PCOS 

All in all, it is clear to see that just because you have now been diagnosed with PCOS doesn’t mean that you can’t go on to have a happy healthy little one. Getting pregnant with PCOS definitely isn’t impossible and many women even manage to get pregnant naturally, so definitely don’t rule anything out. Take some time to consider everything mentioned above and think about what might be the best starting point for you.

If you would like to discuss everything mentioned above in more detail with a fertility specialist then please don’t hesitate to contact our team here at London IVF & Genetics Centre. We will happily go over the various fertility treatments available for PCOS and provide you with our professional opinion regarding how best to proceed in your individual situation. With the help of our team, getting pregnant with PCOS shouldn’t be a problem.