Overview
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder affecting women during the reproductive age. Women with PCOS have difficulty achieving conception. But using different strategies can enhance their chances of getting pregnant. In this article, we will learn about PCOS and its impact on fertility, and how making lifestyle changes, diet, and other tips can help to get pregnant with PCOS naturally and quickly.
What is PCOS, and how does it affect fertility?
PCOS is a hormonal abnormality in which the ovaries produce excessive male hormones. Women with PCOS experience irregular periods, ovulation problems, and infertility. Other symptoms of PCOS include weight gain, acne, increased facial hair, and mood swings. PCOS has a significant impact on fertility. It affects ovulation, thereby making it difficult for a woman to conceive. PCOS also increases the risk of miscarriage and gestational diabetes.
When to do sexual intercourse if trying to get pregnant with PCOS?
Pregnancy takes place if sperm meets an egg during the fertile window of a woman. An egg has a life of 12-24 hours, but sperm can live up to five days. The fertile window of a woman is 4-5 days before the ovulation day, including the ovulation day itself. It is possible to estimate a woman's fertile window with regular periods. In PCOS, irregular periods make it difficult to predict the right ovulation time. Therefore, experts recommend having sexual intercourse every 2-3 days throughout the cycle so that when the egg is released, sperm can fertilise it even if you cannot predict ovulation time.
Tips to Get Pregnant with PCOS
Polycystic ovarian syndrome affects numerous women during their reproductive age. The most common symptom of PCOS is infertility, which makes it difficult for a woman to conceive. But, women with PCOS can make lifestyle changes, diet, and can get pregnant naturally with PCOS.
- Lifestyle changes can help to enhance the chances of getting pregnant with PCOS. You must manage weight, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly. You can adopt the following strategies to improve your fertility.
- Women with PCOS are overweight or obese, which can aggravate the PCOS symptoms, making it difficult to conceive. Therefore, women must maintain a healthy weight through regular exercise and eating a balanced diet. Maintaining a healthy weight also helps to regulate hormones and improve fertility.
- A balanced diet including fruits, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, and lean proteins can also help to regulate hormones and improve fertility in women with PCOS. Avoid refined sugars, processed foods, and excessive caffeine to help regulate insulin levels.
- Take supplements such as iron, folic acid, vitamin D, and zinc to support hormone balance and improve egg quality and ovulation. Consult your physician to determine which dietary supplements are appropriate and what level of exercise might be right for you.
- For women with PCOS, it is important to include physical activity as part of their daily routine, as it helps improve insulin sensitivity and overall metabolic function. These activities may include moderate versions of walking, swimming, cycling, etc., all of which build muscle and improve the body's physical condition.
- In addition to improving general health and mood, quality sleeping habits will significantly affect a woman’s capacity to become pregnant. Inadequate sleep contributes to elevated cortisol levels, which disrupt the body's normal processes and reproductive hormone production. Women should strive to get between 7 and 9 hours of restful sleep every night.
- Stress is another culprit that can enhance PCOS symptoms. Women with PCOS often feel stressed due to fertility problems. Stress also increases cortisol levels, which can affect ovulation. Therefore, it is crucial to manage stress through mindful activities, yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises.
What are the medical treatments for PCOS?
If lifestyle changes do not work for you, visit a fertility specialist to get information about medical treatments for PCOS. A healthcare provider can review your personal, medical, and menstrual histories and recommend tests. Based on your case, a doctor can recommend medical treatment for PCOS to get pregnant.
- A doctor may prescribe birth control pills to regulate periods and manage the symptoms of PCOS.
- The doctor may give fertility drugs to induce ovulation and the development of eggs.
- If medications also fail to work, the doctor can suggest an effective assisted reproductive techniques such as IUI, ICSI, or IVF to achieve pregnancy.
- In some cases, surgery may be required to remove ovarian or uterine cysts and polyps and improve ovulation.
Conclusion
Women with PCOS may find it hard to become pregnant, but it is not impossible. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and seeking healthcare are effective ways for women to become pregnant. You must seek a qualified physician to assist you in alleviating symptoms and establishing the regularity of your period, which, in turn, helps you get pregnant. Track ovulation, eat a healthy diet, exercise, manage weight, avoid stress to regulate hormones, and get pregnant naturally with PCOS. Additionally, you can also consider taking fertility treatments if natural treatments do not work after consulting with a fertility specialist at Indira IVF.
Common Questions Asked
How long does it take to get pregnant with PCOS?
There is no definite answer for this question because some people conceive within a few months, and others may take longer. Women with PCOS often have ovulation problems; therefore, the chance of getting pregnant reduces compared to women with regular periods.
Is it possible to get pregnant naturally with PCOS?
Many women with PCOS can naturally conceive if they alter their lifestyles, improve their diets, manage their weight, minimise stress, and receive the appropriate medical treatment.
How Can Weight Loss Help Women Become Pregnant with PCOS?
Women who are overweight and have PCOS should consider losing weight to help regulate and balance hormones, restore ovulation, and improve the likelihood of conceiving naturally.
Is IVF a successful treatment option for women with PCOS?
IVF has good results in women with PCOS because, in IVF, the doctor can give fertility medications to induce ovulation. It is a controlled method in which eggs are retrieved to be fertilised with sperm outside the body.
Can PCOS cause miscarriage?
IF PCOS is not treated, the risk of miscarriage increases due to insulin resistance, poor egg quality, and hormonal imbalance. Taking supplements and medications to balance hormones can reduce the risk.