Can I Get Pregnant If I Have PCOS?

When you have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), your periods and ovulation are affected, making it more difficult to get pregnant. PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility. So, if you have PCOS, you may be wondering if pregnancy is even a possibility for you.

At the Center for Women’s Health Richmond in Sugar Land and Richmond, Texas, our obstetrics and gynecology team wants you to know that getting pregnant is more than possible when you have PCOS, especially if you take the proper steps to manage the condition. It may just take a little bit of extra help. 

In this month’s blog, we explore how to increase your chances of conceiving when you have PCOS. 

Explaining PCOS

PCOS is a hormonal condition that affects your reproductive health. When you have PCOS, an imbalance in reproductive hormones harms your ovaries, causing eggs to either develop improperly or never be released during ovulation. It can also cause irregular menstrual cycles and cysts to grow on your ovaries, all of which impact your ability to get pregnant. 

In addition, PCOS creates insulin resistance which can lead to significant weight gain that’s difficult to lose. 

Unfortunately, PCOS is often missed or misdiagnosed since in many cases it doesn’t present with obvious symptoms. While it can cause acne, weight gain, and excessive body hair, up to 70% of women don’t even know they have PCOS until they try to get pregnant. 

You can develop PCOS anytime after puberty, and while experts aren’t sure what causes PCOS, common risk factors for the condition include having a family history of PCOS and being overweight or obese.

Treating PCOS and boosting fertility 

Even though PCOS is a leading cause of infertility, it’s one of the most treatable infertility-related conditions. A good place to start for not only managing your PCOS but also boosting your fertility is to practice healthy lifestyle habits. 

These things include:

• Losing any excess weight 
• Eating a nutritious diet
• Taking multivitamins or other vitamin supplements
• Exercising regularly 
• Prioritizing good sleep

PCOS can often cause insulin resistance and lead to type 2 diabetes, which can also impact your ability to get pregnant. Keeping your blood sugar at healthy levels helps with improving fertility. 

Since PCOS affects ovulation so much, tracking your cycles through a journal or mobile app can help you better understand when your most fertile windows are. Taking birth control or hormone replacements may regulate your hormones along with ovulation and menstruation, giving you a much better chance of conceiving. 

At Center for Women’s Health Richmond, we can cater a treatment plan that will work best for you. Your provider can create a weight loss plan or outline a nutritional diet. They can also prescribe any necessary medications such as birth control or insulin-sensitizing drugs. 

In most cases, getting to a healthy weight and regulating ovulation are enough to help women with PCOS conceive. 

Get next-level PCOS care

If PCOS is keeping you from getting pregnant, don’t delay in seeking treatment. Our team can address your concerns and find a method for boosting fertility that works best for you. Schedule an appointment by calling your nearest office location or booking online today.