PCOS is a condition that impacts 1 in 10 women in the United States. This incredibly common condition is caused by a hormonal imbalance, which impacts women of childbearing age and negatively affects fertility. For women with PCOS, building a family is often a long and difficult process. But why is it so difficult? In our latest blog post, the fertility specialists of The Center for Reproductive Medicine in Mobile, Alabama discuss the impact of PCOS on fertility – and what you can do about it.

PCOS Can Cause Weight Gain

The hormonal imbalance that causes PCOS can also cause issues with your waistline – many women with PCOS find that they have difficulty losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight due to the condition. This can exacerbate the hormonal imbalance that causes PCOS and further disrupt a woman’s menstrual cycle, making it more difficult to conceive. Many women who struggle with PCOS find that achieving a healthy weight can help with their symptoms – including infertility.

PCOS Can Cause Ovulatory Infertility

Currently, PCOS is responsible for nearly 30% of ovulatory infertility cases. The hormonal imbalance responsible for PCOS is what causes the irregular menstrual cycles and ovulation. This irregularity and uncertainty in terms of when they ovulate can make it difficult to conceive naturally, Add in the fact that some women with PCOS do not ovulate at all, and it can seem near impossible to build a family while struggling with PCOS.

TTC With PCOS

While PCOS makes it difficult to conceive naturally, with the right fertility help, many women with PCOS can build the family of their dreams. For some women with PCOS, the use of fertility medications to induce ovulation may be enough to overcome their ovulatory infertility. However, for other women with the condition, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is there best chance of building a family. This process involves stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs which are then retrieved, fertilized, and then implanted into the uterus. Many women with PCOS respond very well to IVF treatment and are able to build a family utilizing the treatment.

While building a family while struggling with PCOS may be difficult, it is possible. With the right fertility specialists and treatment protocol, building the family of your dreams is possible. If you have PCOS and have been trying to conceive without success, the first step is coming in for a consultation with one of our fertility specialists. To schedule your consultation, contact us today at 251-438-4200.