Getting Pregnant With Polycystic Ovaries (Pcos)

“From embarrassing visible signs like chin hair and acne, to more worrying ones like missed or irregular periods, polycystic ovary syndrome can affect your health, leading to diabetes, infertility and even cancer. Dr.Samundi Sankari, Chief Consultant - Srushti Fertility Centre Chennai tells you how to spot the symptoms of this sometimes silent disease”

SYMPTOMS

PCOS is untreatable, but can be managed. Irregular menstrual cycles and difficulty conceiving are among the most common symptoms, the result of ovarian follicles that fail to mature fully and to release eggs. 

Affected women often have enlarged ovaries and prolonged bleeding during menses. The hormone imbalances is characterised by the distinctive symptoms such as irregular periods, Excess facial hair and thinning and falling of hair, weight gain, oily and acne prone skin, pigmentation - around neck, armpit or thighs, Infertility and Insulin resistance-diabetes. 

The healthiest, most effective long-term method of managing PCOS is to live a healthy lifestyle: proper diet, accompanied by regular exercise, regularizing healthy sleep pattern and effectively managing stress could help normalize the body metabolism and reduce potential risks of PCOS such as Infertility and Diabetes.

“LOSING WEIGHT REDUCES YOUR INSULIN LEVELS, RESULTING IN LOWER TESTOSTERONE LEVELS, WHICH IN TURN IMPROVES FERTILITY AND REDUCES VISIBLE SYMPTOMS SUCH AS EXCESSIVE HAIR GROWTH AND ACNE”

PCOS AND INFERTILITY

PCOS has a direct impact on your fertility and ability to conceive. In recent years, there has been increase in incidence where woman who underwent infertility treatment at Srushti were diagnosed with PCOS, but most of them had their other fertility factors as normal. About 30% of women who took treatment where able to conceive naturally with just lifestyle modifications. Half of the women with irregular periods conceived with ovulation induction, follicular monitoring and timed sexual intercourse or Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI). Women who had severe PCOS were treated with laparoscopic ovarian drilling and  most of them were able to conceive naturally post treatment and others conceived through Assisted Reproductive Techniques such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).

Dr Samundi Sankari says many women won’t have any symptoms while having PCOS. Huge number of PCOS patients, particularly women in their early or late 20’s who come to me only when they have fertility issues. 

We advise women in the reproductive age group to visit their gynaecologist at least once a year, regardless of whether they have any symptoms or complaints.