7 Tips for Getting Your Body Ready for a Healthy Pregnancy
Thinking about getting pregnant? A few simple steps now can support a healthier pregnancy later — for both you and your baby. Here’s how to prep for pregnancy.
A Closer Look at How PCOS Can Affect Your Fertility
If you’ve been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), you’ve probably come across alarming information about infertility.
It’s true that PCOS can make it more difficult to become pregnant. In fact, it’s one of the most common causes of ovulation-related infertility, and it affects 1 out of every 10 women in their childbearing years.
However, “more difficult” does not mean impossible.
At Nile Women’s Health Care in Roswell and Johns Creek, Georgia, we help women navigate the challenges of PCOS every day. Many women with this condition go on to have healthy pregnancies, especially when they understand how PCOS affects fertility and seek appropriate care.
PCOS 101
PCOS is a hormonal condition that affects how your ovaries function.
Women with PCOS often have hormonal imbalances that can interfere with normal ovulation. Because ovulation is necessary for pregnancy, these disruptions can make conception more challenging.
Common symptoms include:
- Irregular periods
- Missed periods
- Excess facial or body hair
- Acne
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Thinning hair
- Difficulty becoming pregnant
Not every woman experiences the same symptoms, which is one reason PCOS can sometimes go undiagnosed for years.
Why ovulation matters
To understand how PCOS affects fertility, it helps to understand what normally happens during a menstrual cycle.
Each month, one of your ovaries typically releases a mature egg. This process is called ovulation. If a sperm fertilizes the egg, pregnancy can occur.
In women with PCOS, ovulation may happen infrequently or not at all.
Some women ovulate only occasionally. Others may go months without releasing an egg. When ovulation becomes unpredictable, so does the opportunity for conception.
The hormone connection
We mentioned that one of the defining features of PCOS is hormonal imbalance, so let’s talk about what that means.
Many women with PCOS have elevated levels of androgens, sometimes called “male hormones.” While women naturally produce small amounts of these hormones, excessive levels can interfere with the development and release of eggs.
Insulin resistance also plays a role for many women.
When your body becomes less responsive to insulin, hormone levels can shift further out of balance, causing irregular ovulation and fertility challenges.
Fertility isn’t the only concern
While many women first learn about PCOS when they’re trying to conceive, fertility isn’t the only issue associated with the condition.
PCOS may also increase the risk of:
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Endometrial thickening
- Prediabetes or type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Sleep disorders
- Metabolic health concerns
That’s one reason ongoing gynecologic care is so important, whether pregnancy is currently a goal or not.
Can I still get pregnant with PCOS?
Absolutely.
Many women with PCOS conceive naturally. Others benefit from treatment that helps regulate ovulation and improve fertility.
The key is to identify the factors that may be interfering with conception and to create a personalized plan to address them.
In some cases, lifestyle modifications can improve hormone balance and ovulation. In others, medication or additional fertility support may be recommended.
Every woman’s situation is different, which is why we personalize your treatment at Nile Women’s Health Care.
When should you seek help?
If you’ve been trying to become pregnant without success, don’t assume you simply need more time.
Women with irregular cycles or known PCOS often benefit from an earlier fertility evaluation because ovulation problems may already be present.
You should consider speaking with your healthcare provider if:
- Your periods are irregular or absent
- You’ve been diagnosed with PCOS
- You’re having difficulty becoming pregnant
- You’re experiencing symptoms that suggest a hormonal imbalance
The sooner the underlying issue is identified, the sooner you can begin addressing it.
How we can help
At Nile Women’s Health Care, we provide comprehensive women’s health and obstetric care with a personalized, compassionate approach. If PCOS is affecting your fertility, we work with you to understand what’s happening and develop a plan tailored to your goals.
For example, balancing your hormones can be as simple as losing weight, getting more exercise, or changing your diet. You may need hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to recalibrate your hormones. In some cases, fertility medications and/or in vitro fertilization are the best answer.
Whether you’re hoping to conceive now or simply want to better manage your symptoms, our team is here to help you take the next step with confidence.
PCOS may affect your fertility, but it doesn’t have to define your future. Call Nile Women’s Health Care in Roswell or Johns Creek, Georgia, to schedule an appointment with our specialists today.
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