In this generation, most people have heard a lot about the word PCOS, haven’t you? But are completely aware of what is PCOS and what the signs indicate that you are suffering from this disease. Want to get the complete details, don’t worry we are here to help you clear all your doubts along with providing the connection between PCOS and fertility issues that are caused because of this.
Let’s start the journey of learning about the term PCOS along with the details on how it affects the body, and its specific impact on fertility. We’ll also explore treatment options and lifestyle changes to help manage the condition and improve reproductive health.
We spoke with DR. Kumudini Chauhan to understand how PCOS impacts fertility, the available treatment options, and the role of IVF and fertility preservation in managing the condition.
Basics Of PCOS Affects:
PCOS represents the common medical shorthand for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome that occurs from hormonal disorders specifically targeting women of reproductive age leading to fertility problems. Women experience confusion regarding their symptoms and infertility outcomes because many believe wrong information about this common health issue it is causing the women to face fertility issues. Although this issue has become so common, most women have misconceptions related to this problem and this is making women frustrated and confused about the symptoms they are facing and the conclusion it is drawing on their fertility.
Medical sciences define PCOS through interconnected symptoms that target the female reproductive system specifically the ovaries and ovulation process. Searching for the meaning of polycystic in PCOS will probably come into your mind. Essence PCOS includes multiple small cysts existing in the ovaries although complete ovary cysts do not affect all women. PCOS develops from hormonal imbalance which leads to increased male hormonal activity alongside insulin resistance as its primary cause.
What Causes PCOS?
The exact cause of PCOS is not fully understood, but several factors are believed to have contributed to its development:
- Insulin Resistance: A vast number of PCOS patients develop insulin resistance because their body fails to effectively use insulin.
- Ovulation Dysfunction: When PCOS affects the body girls face two options for ovulation cycle disturbances known as anovulation creating barriers against pregnancy. Uneven ovulation patterns in women with PCOS create extra difficulties when attempting to determine the best time for conception.
- Hormonal Imbalances: PCOS elevates blood levels of male hormones, and androgen along with luteinizing hormone (LH) while lowering sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).
- Genetics: Research indicates hereditary factors are closely associated with PCOS because familial traces often exhibit the condition.
- Inflammation: Women with PCOS maintain low-grade inflammation that leads to both increased insulin resistance and elevated levels of androgens.
How Does PCOS Affect Fertility?
The combination of PCOS and pregnancy serves as two main factors that make it difficult for women to get pregnant. The operational deficiencies of PCOS between hormonal and metabolic irregularities block successful reproductive functions thus preventing pregnancy for affected women leading to fertility issues.
- Ovulation Dysfunction
When PCOS affects the body girls face two options for ovulation cycle disturbances known as anovulation creating barriers against pregnancy. Uneven ovulation patterns in women with PCOS create extra difficulties when attempting to determine the best time for conception. Unpredictable ovulation frequencies in women with PCOS add to their challenges when timing conception efforts.
- Hormonal Imbalances
High levels of androgen hormone within the body interfere with how ovaries grow their eggs. People having high luteinizing hormone (LH) levels alongside low follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels experience blocked ovulation accompanied by irregular menstrual cycles.
- Insulin Resistance
Healthy insulin processing plays a pivotal role in PCOS run because insulin resistance frequently magnetizes menstrual irregularities. The metabolic condition enhances androgen production through high insulin levels which leads to persistent disruption of ovulation. The symptoms of PCOS and fertility become poorer through the weight gain typically linked with insulin resistance.
- Endometrial Health
The uterus lining endometrium accumulates during an irregular menstrual pattern among women who have PCOS. Such changes lead to extended or severe menstrual bleeding periods and raise the odds of developing endometrial hyperplasia which disrupts implantation and pregnancy.
- Increased Risk of Miscarriage
Women diagnosed with PCOS appear to experience higher rates of miscarriage according to scholarly research because of hormone abnormalities and insulin resistance or inflammatory conditions. Effective management techniques allow the reduction of this risk factor.
Diagnosing PCOS
Medical tests to detect PCOS face difficulties because similar symptoms exist in different conditions. The Rotterdam Criteria are commonly used for diagnosis, requiring at least two of the following three features:
- Irregular or absent ovulation.
- Clinical or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism.
- Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound.
Doctors use blood tests to check hormone levels glucose tolerance and cholesterol levels before performing an ultrasound to investigate the ovaries and hence get information for fertility issues.
Managing PCOS and Improving Fertility
Medical science lacks a treatment for PCOS yet doctors can control its symptoms effectively and some techniques allow improved fertility outcomes. Health professionals treat PCOS patients through lifestyle adjustments while giving medications and when needed they apply assisted reproductive technologies (ART).
1. Lifestyle Modifications:
Lifestyle modifications represent the primary treatment approach for controlling both PCOS symptoms and improving the ability to get pregnant. These include:
- Healthy Diet: The combination of whole foods with lean proteins together with healthy fats along complex carbs helps maintain stable blood sugar levels while making insulin more sensitive. Doctors frequently suggest following the Mediterranean diet plan to women who have PCOS.
- Regular Exercise: Engaging in physical exercise creates lowered insulin levels while it aids weight control and enhances ovulation. The recommendation is to maintain 150 minutes of moderate exercise spread throughout the week.
- Weight Management: Weight reductions between 5-10% can normalize ovulation cycles for overweight women suffering from PCOS while also enhancing their fertility chances.
- Stress Reduction: Repeated episodes of stress worsen hormonal system imbalances. In addition to managing stress levels, practitioners should engage in yoga meditation and mindfulness.
2. Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART):
Women who need assisted reproductive technology after medical treatment and lifestyle approaches have failed will require ART. Common ART procedures include:
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): During ovulation, doctors carry sperm into the uterus by direct transfer methods.
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): First medical experts extract eggs from the patient and then researchers create embryo fertilization before medical experts return the fertilized embryos to the patient’s uterus.
- Surgical Options: If ovarian drilling proves necessary following treatment failure the surgeon will make small holes in the patient’s ovary to stimulate ovulation. Through a surgical procedure,e doctors create small openings within the ovaries to limit the production of androgens.
Emotional and Mental Health Considerations:
For women facing infertility problems of PCOS the emotional burden becomes especially intense. Women who try to conceive experience both bodily symptoms and hormonal swings and discouragement which harms their mental wellbeing. Getting help from health care expert counsellors and support groups should be your priority for managing these mental health issues.
How Does IVF Help PCOS?
If lifestyle changes don’t lead to pregnancy, your doctor may suggest ovulation induction (IUI) if sperm function is normal. Often, the main issue is not ovulating. For women with PCOS, Ganga Laxmi IVF may recommend IVF to overcome this challenge.
However, women with PCOS undergoing IVF are at higher risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). At Ganga Laxmi IVF, we take all necessary precautions to minimize this risk and ensure a safe and effective treatment process.
Conclusion
Many women suffer from PCOS globally as this metabolic condition generates far-reaching impacts on their ability to have children. Through appropriate medical management including personal lifestyle modifications along with prescribed medications and doctor-administered procedures women living with PCOS can resolve their health difficulties to reach their reproductive targets. Visit a healthcare provider when you think you have PCOS or experience infertility issues to create an individualized treatment program. You experience PCOS alongside countless women so there exists a hope to enjoy a healthy complete life.