Can I still get pregnant if I have PCOS?

Having PCOS does not mean you can’t get pregnant. PCOS is one of the most common, but treatable, causes of infertility in women. If all other parameters are normal including husband’s semen analysis, not releasing the egg is the reason why PCOS women do not conceive. In women with PCOS, the hormonal imbalance interferes with the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation). If you don’t ovulate / do not release egg, then you can’t get pregnant.

Is PCOS linked to other health problems?

Yes, studies have found links between PCOS and other health problems, including:

• Diabetes: More than half of women with PCOS will have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes (glucose intolerance) before the age of 40. 
• High blood pressure: Women with PCOS are at greater risk of having high blood pressure compared with women of the same age without PCOS.
• Unhealthy cholesterol: Women with PCOS often have higher levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. High cholesterol raises your risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Sleep apnoea: This is when momentary and repeated stops in breathing interrupt sleep. Many women with PCOS have overweight or obesity, which can cause sleep apnoea.
• Depression and anxiety: Depression and anxiety are common among women with PCOS.
• Endometrial cancer: Problems with ovulation, obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes (all common in women with PCOS) increase the risk of developing cancer of the endometrium (lining of the uterus or womb).

The risks of PCOS-related health problems, such as diabetes, stroke, and heart attack, increase with age. These risks may be higher in women with PCOS than those without.

Will my PCOS symptoms go away at menopause?

PCOS affects many systems in the body. Many women with PCOS find that their menstrual cycles become more regular as they get closer to menopause. However, their PCOS hormonal imbalance does not change with age, so they may continue to have symptoms of PCOS.

How is PCOS diagnosed?

There is no single test to diagnose PCOS. To help diagnose PCOS and rule out other causes of your symptoms, doctor will talk to you about your medical history and do a physical exam and different tests:

• Physical exam: Your doctor will measure your blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and waist size. They will also look at your skin for extra hair on your face, chest or back, acne, or skin discoloration. Your doctor may look for any hair loss or signs of other health conditions (such as an enlarged thyroid gland).
• Pelvic exam: Your doctor may do a pelvic exam for signs of extra male hormones (for example, an enlarged clitoris) and check to see if your ovaries are enlarged or swollen.
• Pelvic ultrasound (USG): Ultrasound Scan will help to examine the ovaries for cysts and check the endometrium (lining of the uterus or womb).
• Blood tests: Doctor will also check for other hormones related to other common health problems that can be mistaken for PCOS, such as Testosterone, thyroid hormones, high prolactin level, lipid profile for checking cholesterol levels and test you for diabetes.

How is PCOS diagnosed?

Once other conditions are ruled out, you may be diagnosed with PCOS if you have at least two of the following symptoms:

• Irregular periods, including periods that come too often, not often enough, or not at all
• Signs that you have high levels of androgens:
  • Extra hair growth on your face, chin, and body (hirsutism)
  • Acne
  • Thinning of scalp hair
• Higher than normal blood levels of androgens
• Multiple cysts on one or both ovaries (Poly Cystic Ovaries)

How is PCOS treated?

There is no cure for PCOS, but you can manage the symptoms of PCOS. Treatment plan can be discussed based on your symptoms, your plans for having children, and your risk of long-term health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Many women will need a combination of treatments, including Steps you can take at home to help relieve your symptoms and Medicines

What steps can I take at home to improve my PCOS symptoms?

You can take steps at home to help your PCOS symptoms, including:

Losing weight: Healthy eating habits and regular physical activity can help relieve PCOS-related symptoms. Losing weight may help to lower your blood glucose levels, improve the way your body uses insulin, and help your hormones reach normal levels. Even a 10% loss in body weight can help make your menstrual cycle more regular and improve your chances of getting pregnant naturally.  Weight can be lost effectively by doing regular exercises and having healthy diet simultaneously.

Removing hair: You can try facial hair removal creams, laser hair removal, or electrolysis to remove excess hair. Procedures like laser hair removal or electrolysis can be done.

Slowing hair growth: Medicine Cream can help slow down the growth rate of new hair in unwanted places.

How can I get rid of PCOS problem?

PCOS problem is present in the genes.

• It can be familial, mainly comes from mother’s side.
• It does not go permanently.
• Weight loss plays an important role in regulating PCOS problems.
• Problems with PCOS can be reduced by losing weight by healthy diet and doing regular exercises.
• Problems can get worse by gaining weight.

What types of medicines treat PCOS?

The types of medicines that treat PCOS and its symptoms include:

• Hormonal birth control pill and hormone intrauterine device (IUD): For women who don’t want to get pregnant, hormonal birth control can make your menstrual cycle more regular and also help improve acne and reduce extra hair on the face and body.

• Metformin: Metformin is often used to treat type 2 diabetes and may help some women with PCOS symptoms by reducing the insulin resistance. Metformin can lower both insulin and androgen levels. After a few months of use, metformin may help restart ovulation, but it usually has little effect on acne and extra hair on the face or body. Recent research shows that metformin may have other positive effects, including lowering body mass and improving cholesterol levels.