How to Get Pregnant While Having PCOS

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) afflicts about one in ten women of childbearing age according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health and it is the most common cause of female infertility. However, just because you are diagnosed with having PCOS, this does not mean you cannot get pregnant. There are many options available to you if you find yourself in this situation. The first thing you need to do is to start informing yourself of what PCOS is and find out how you can get pregnant while having PCOS. To begin your journey of information, here is a brief overview of PCOS.

Every woman has two ovaries on either side of her uterus. These ovaries contain follicles that are essentially tiny sacs that hold liquid and these sacs are also called cysts. Within these tiny sacs are the eggs that need to be released. Every month, about twenty eggs get ready to mature into fully developed eggs yet, usually, only one egg reaches full maturity. When this happens, the follicle breaks open and the egg is released. This egg travels through the fallopian tube and into the uterus for fertilization. This process is called
ovulation.

The problem lies in the eggs fully maturing. If the woman has PCOS, she does not produce enough hormones that the egg needs to fully develop. Once this happens, the follicles may just fill up with fluid but not release the egg. If the egg is not released, the woman cannot produce the hormone progesterone and without progesterone the woman's cycle becomes irregular or even absent. In addition, the follicles may just remain as cysts and these cysts produce male hormones which further hinders ovulation.

Though there is no cure, it can be managed and women can get pregnant despite having PCOS. You and your partner should discuss these options with your doctor but for the purposes of you getting a start in your information gathering, here are a few options that you should make familiar to you:

Fertility drugs typically stimulate ovulation and clomiphene, metformin, and gonadotropin are very common methods to treat infertility. As a matter of fact, the Office on Women's Health states that for most patients, clomiphene is usually tried first. Then, things can get a bit invasive as PCOS can also be treated by the use of surgery.

"Ovarian drilling" is a procedure intended to bring on ovulation. A doctor will cut a small hole above or below the woman's navel, use a specialized tool to look inside the abdomen. This is called a "laparoscopy." The doctor will then puncture the ovary with a needle that carries an electric current. This destroys a small portion of the ovary. The idea behind this procedure is that it will reduce the amount of male hormone in the woman's body which will encourage
ovulation. However, there is a risk that you will be left with scar tissue on the ovary that can impede ovulation and this procedure's effects may only last a few months.

Again, there are many fertility treatment options for you if you have PCOS and want to get pregnant. There is nothing wrong with doing this but being informed is the best way for you to help yourself and keep your emotions in check.

Getting pregnant is possible and many women have successfully brought a baby into this world. Keep an open mind and keep yourself as healthy as possible. To learn more about curing infertility in women with PCOS, please take a moment to read this article and please visit pregnancyover40.tumblr.com for more information. Good luck and don't lose hope.