How to Get Pregnant if you Have PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, also known as the silent Disorder it wreaks havoc on the female body. Women with PCOS may have enlarged ovaries and contains follicles that cover the surface of an egg; this hampers the function of ovaries.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is believed to cause infertility in up to 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. It is a hormonal disorder common among women of childbearing age and is responsible for 70 percent of infertility cases. The exact cause of PCOS is still unknown. Few factors such as excess insulin, low-grade inflammation, and Heredity are known to increase the possibility of having PCOS. 

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of PCOS usually develop around the time of onset of menstrual period. Sometimes PCOS may also evolve later, such as in response to weight gain etc.

Symptoms of PCOS may vary from person to person, a diagnosis of PCOS is confirmed when an individual presents more than two of the following symptoms.

Irregular periods

Irregular, unusual or prolonged menstrual cycles are the most common sign of PCOS.

Hirsutism (Excess body and facial hair)

Normal ovaries release a low amount of male hormones also, known as androgens but in PCOS, ovaries release excess level of androgen. Elevated levels of male hormones may result in excess facial and body hairs. One may also develop severe acne and baldness.

Other symptoms include-

frequent mood swings, weight gain, depression and anxiety, fatigue, and low libido

Complications of PCOS include infertility, gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, miscarriage and premature birth. Other complications are Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (severe liver inflammation because of fat accumulation in the liver), Type 2 diabetes, Sleep apnea, Depression, anxiety, eating disorders, Endometrial cancer (Cancer of the uterine lining). Obesity can further worsen the complications of PCOS.

How can you Get Pregnant if you have PCOS

If you have PCOS and you want to conceive you need to make Lifestyle and dietary changes to bring back your hormones to track.

PCOS treatment focuses on management of your concerns such as obesity, acne and facial hair. Currently, there is lack of a cure for PCOS although the underlying causes can be managed easily without medications.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

A healthy weight can help check in insulin and androgen levels. It also helps in restoring ovulation. Eat healthy fat like flax seed, coconut, ghee, and nuts. Eat complex carbohydrate, fresh fruits, vegetables, food rich in proteins. Drink lots of water.

Sleep

Sleep helps in healing; it metabolizes stress hormones and manages stress. Get minimum 8 hours of sleep every night.

Limit Carbohydrates

Embrace the thought that food is medicine, introduce more whole foods, reduce and eliminate processed food. High carbohydrates diets are believed to increase insulin levels, ask your physician about low carbohydrate diet. Incorporate complex carbohydrates; they raise your blood sugar levels slowly.

Lead Active Life

Increase your daily activity; participate in some form of exercise. It has been proved that exercise helps lower blood glucose levels, keep your weight under control and prevent insulin resistance.

Reduces Stress

Studies have proved that women with PCOS produce a higher amount of stress hormone and they do not metabolise them. This stress hormone is known as cortisol. One of the causes of insulin resistance is a high cortisol level. High insulin delays ovulation and produces excess male hormones.

Avoid Endocrine Disruptors

Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with production and metabolism of hormones. Avoid or reduce disruptors such as dry cleaning chemicals, pesticides, industrial compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyl used in plastic and aluminium cans

Avoid artificial sweeteners, excess alcohol and caffeine, food loaded preservatives and pesticides.

Changes in lifestyle and diet have been found effective in treating most of the cases of PCOD. Also, it increases the fertility rate, and 80 percent of PCOD females have become pregnant on bringing changes in diet and life style.