Effects Of PCOS On Infertility!

In today’s world almost 15% of the women get affected with PCOS in their reproductive age.

Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome are often infertile because they don’t ovulate. 40-80% of the women experience problems with fertility.

The reason behind this is that PCOS is a complex metabolic syndrome with various factors that can greatly interfere with fertility.

PCOS causes hormonal imbalance and irregular menstrual periods.

Women with PCOS produce increased levels of insulin. Higher amounts of insulin in your body cause it to react by producing high levels androgens or male hormone.

Usually in the first half of your menstrual cycle, a number of follicles will develop and each contains an egg. As your menstrual period goes on, one follicle will remain. This is the follicle responsible for the production of egg.

Once the egg has matured, levels of luteinizing hormone will increase thus causing the egg to come out from the follicle. During this period ovulation takes place.

High levels of androgens affect your hormonal production, which are necessary for ovulation. PCOS affects the women’s ability of hormone production that is responsible for follicle development.

Sometimes, they may develop and collect fluid but no one become that much large to support ovulation. Sometimes these follicles turn into cysts. This is because of ovulation failure and finally progesterone is not produced.

Progesterone is the hormone i.e. responsible for thickening the lining of the uterus. Absence of progesterone causes irregular menstrual cycle.

Various symptoms of PCOS that lead to infertility:

• Irregular or infrequent menstrual cycle


• Multiple ovarian cysts


• Obesity


• Higher insulin levels


• Type II diabetes


• Premenstrual syndrome or pelvic pain


• Increased hair growth on face, back or chest


• Thinning hair


• Acne
  

Predicting ovulation in PCOS patients:

As PCOS affects hormone levels, it is very difficult to predict ovulation. You will find an anovulatory BBT (Basal Body Temperature) chart to predict ovulation. If women with PCOS are also ovulate, then it becomes very difficult to understand their BBT chart.

Also, PCOS affects results of ovulation prediction kits. Usually these kits work by evaluating LH levels. Higher LH levels can also make it hard to use ovulation prediction kit.

Infertility treatments for women with PCOS:

Ovarian drilling: In this procedure, a small needle is used to puncture the tiny holes of your ovary with an electrosurgical needle. Electric power destroys a portion of your ovary to decreases the androgen levels and thus supporting ovulation.

Weight loss: Loosing weight can also help in balancing the hormone levels and restoring your normal menstrual cycle.

In vitro fertilization (IVM): This procedure can sometimes call as test tube baby. This is a procedure that makes most of the infertile women to become pregnant.

Fertility drugs: Fertility drugs such as Metformin and clomid. Metformin improves your body’s sensitivity to insulin. Clomid is the drug that is used in treating PCOS related infertility.