How To Get Pregnant With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
This article was medically reviewed by Joshua U. Klein, MD, FACOG. Dr. Joshua U. Klein is a board certified Reproductive Endocrinologist, an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and the Co-Founder of Extend Fertility. He specializes in IVF, egg freezing, infertility, fertility preservation, artificial insemination, and treating polycystic ovarian syndrome . Dr. Klein has been published in numerous peer-reviewed academic journals such as Science, Fertility and Sterility, and Obstetrics and Gynecology. He holds a BA in English from Yeshiva University and an MD from Harvard Medical School.There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 336,568 times.
What Is The Cause Of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
In PCOS, the medical emphasis is on imbalanced sex hormones and insulin resistance . The hormonal imbalance in PCOS happens due to not enough progesterone and too much estrogen, leading to estrogen dominance. Ongoing cycles of too much estrogen cause ovulation to fail, resulting in increasingly higher levels of estrogen and insufficient progesterone .
Two factors that can throw hormones off balance are yeast overgrowth and magnesium deficiency. Yeast can overgrow in the intestines under the influence of antibiotics, steroids, and sugar. Yeast toxins are released that can be picked up by the bloodstream and block the hormone receptor sites. Magnesium deficiency can cause or contribute to high blood sugar and insulin resistance, thyroid and adrenal imbalance, fertility issues, pelvic pain, weight gain, elevated blood pressure.
In the next section, we have listed the home remedies for PCOS. Although these remedies may help ease the symptoms of PCOS, we suggest you consult your healthcare provider for professional medical help to treat the symptoms.
Effective Home Remedies For Irregular Periods
Menstruation or periods are the most essential yet neglected part of a womans life. Discussing menstruation can make many women uncomfortable, that a significant chunk of girls is not even aware of menstruation.
When the first time menstruation hits teenage girls, it often leads to confusion and anxiety. It may be due to different biological changes in the body.
Periods are a biological process where bleeding occurs through the vagina. It is a shedding process where the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, sheds itself.
Periods start from the puberty age group and lasts till around 45-50 years of a females life. The menstrual cycle for women is 28 days, but this changes for everyone. Periods can be painful for many women with cramps in the abdomen, vomiting, loose motions, leg pains, and weakness.
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How Can I Improve My Egg Quality With Pcos
Theres not a lot of evidence to show whether PCOS affects the quality of a womans eggs.
Some research suggests women with PCOS will produce an increased number chromosomally abnormal eggs than those without PCOS. This is not because of any natural defect in women with PCOS rather it is more likely due to being exposed to high levels of male hormones. The studies indicate this increase is not large but it is something to bear in mind.
Fertility relies on ovulation and egg quality. As women age, they have fewer eggs available to be released and the quality of those eggs declines. This is the reason why fertility decreases after the age of 35, as women will have only about 5% of the egg supply they were born with.
Most eggs with abnormal DNA arent fertilized at all if they are released. Age is the main driver in reducing egg quality so its important to take this into consideration if you have PCOS and are trying to get pregnant.
There is no test that can be done to check for quality it can only detect how many eggs are in reserve. If you have concerns about egg quality for example, if youve been a long-term smoker or exposed to toxins that could have affected your fertility seek the guidance of a fertility expert.
Best Ways To Regulate Your Cycle
There are some ways that you can control your period and ensure that your uterus sheds its lining regularly.
- Losing Weight: If you are overweight, even losing 5% to 10% of your total body weight can improve menstrual regularity and fertility in PCOS.
- Taking the Birth Control Pill: Birth control medications can regulate your hormone levels and lower your testosterone level to give you a more consistent period.
- Taking Medications Such as Glucophage or Provera: Both of these medications can cause women with PCOS to have a period. Provera is used cyclically to induce shedding of the uterine lining to protect it from becoming cancerous. Glucophage may be used off-label for weight loss and promoting ovulation, though some data does not support its use.
- Taking a Combination of Myo and d-Chiro Inositol: Inositol has been shown to reduce testosterone and aid in regulating menstrual cycles, as well as promoting ovulation in women with PCOS. These supplements are not FDA-approved as a treatment for PCOS.
You should speak with your healthcare provider before starting to take any medication or supplement. Due to your specific health condition, you may not be a good candidate to take a particular medication, or your healthcare provider may recommend a certain regimen.
Ask your healthcare provider any questions you have about other alternatives, or why they have recommended the suggested treatment.
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What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture .
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
When To See A Doctor
However, there are three major signs and symptoms that if you experienced them, you better hurry and see a doctor for a proper diagnosis. These symptoms include:
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I Began Having Massive Mood Swings In Addition To Time Of The Month Meltdowns I Was A Hormonal Mess
My periods were irregular and excruciating. The cramping and nausea would get so bad that sometimes I would throw up.
For years, I thought all these symptoms were part of growing up, of being a woman. I had resigned to putting up with them for the rest of my life.
At the age of 22, a doctor suggested that I had Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. I’m ashamed to admit it now, but I brushed off his diagnosis. I had just finished college and was preparing to move across the world on an exciting new adventure, so I didnt have the time, money, or inclination to examine what that meant.
This was a mistake.
Flash forward a few years. I was in my late 20s when I unexpectedly became pregnant. Just as I was coming around to the excitement of having a baby, the pregnancy ended after 10 ½ weeks in an even more unexpected and extremely painful miscarriage.
Some Home Remedies To Treat Pcos
Some medicines and tablets such as birth control pills and diabetes drugs can help you get normal periods regularly. But these medicines are bound to have some side effects. If unsure, it is necessary to consult a doctor for the same.
Some remedies you can try at home without taking any medicines and tablets are as follows:
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What Are Irregular Periods
Although some women with PCOS have regular periods, high levels of androgens and too much insulin in their bodies can disrupt the monthly cycle of ovulation and menstruation of many women with PCOS.
If you have PCOS, your periods might be irregular, or stop altogether. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days with one ovulation when an egg is released but anywhere between 21 and 35 days is considered normal.
An ‘irregular’ period cycle is defined as either:
- eight or fewer menstrual cycles per year
- menstrual cycles shorter than 21 days
- menstrual cycles longer than 35 days or, for young women within three years of starting periods, longer than 45 days.
For adolescents, irregular periods means:
- periods have not started by the age of 15
- more than a year after periods have started, menstrual cycles are longer than 90 days
- between one and three years since periods started, cycles are shorter than 21 days or longer than 45 days.
As menstrual cycles lengthen, ovulation can stop entirely or occur only occasionally. Some women with PCOS also experience heavier or lighter bleeding during their menstrual cycle.
Regular periods help to prevent excess thickening of the lining of the uterus . Not having regular periods can lead to abnormal cells building up inside the womb. It is important you have at least four cycles a year to avoid a build-up that might include abnormal cells. If you have fewer than four periods a year, discuss this with your doctor.
Resources
Can I Still Get Pregnant If I Have Pcos
Yes. Having PCOS does not mean you can’t get pregnant. PCOS is one of the most common, but treatable, causes of infertility in women. In women with PCOS, the hormonal imbalance interferes with the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries . If you don’t ovulate, you can’t get pregnant.
Your doctor can talk with you about ways to help you ovulate and to raise your chance of getting pregnant. You can also use our Ovulation Calculator to see which days in your menstrual cycle you are most likely to be fertile.
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Here Is A List Of Foods That You Can Consume To Induce Periods
- Parsley: Parsley is a traditional food that is used for inducing periods for many centuries. Parsley contains Apiol and Myristicin which stimulates the contraction of the uterus. You can also drink parsley tea twice a day.
- Papayas: Papayas are the most effective home ready to prepone periods. Raw papaya stimulates the contraction of the uterus and can accelerate periods. The carotene in papaya stimulates the oestrogen hormone and causes early periods.
- Cumin: Cumin seeds are also known as jeera which has same effects as parsley.
- Ginger: It is one of the most powerful emmenagogues which refers to herbs which has magical properties that stimulate menstruation. But it has some side effects like acidity. You can have a combination of ginger and parsley tea if your period is too much delayed. Ginger increases the heat around the uterus and promotes contraction.
- Carom seeds : A mixture of jaggery and carom seeds will induce periods and also relieve period cramps.
- Fennel Seeds : Fennel seeds can be boiled in water to make tea which can be consumed in empty stomach every morning. This regulates your periods and you can have a healthy flow.
- Celery: Drinking celery juice is one of the ways to induce periods. It is completely natural and safe.
- Fenugreek Seeds: Drink fenugreek seeds boiled in water to induce periods. This is recommended by experts.
- Coriander Seeds: Coriander has emmenagogue properties which make it an effective home remedy to induce periods.
Prepare For Potential Pregnancy Complications If You Conceive
Women with PCOS are at increased risk for pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, preterm birth and miscarriage. To increase your chance of a healthy pregnancy and birth, see your health care provider for preconception counseling at least three months before you plan to conceive.
The most critical time for organ development in the fetus occurs before many women are aware that they are pregnant, so it is important to be as healthy as possible at the time of conception. If you have diabetes or hypertension, getting those medical conditions under control before conceiving will increase the chance that all will go well during pregnancy. Obesity can also exacerbate your risks for pregnancy problems. If you are overweight, your physician may recommend that you lose weight before conceiving.
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Why Do Women With Pcos Have Late Or No Periods
Generally, a womans reproductive cycle comprises four phases:
- Follicle maturation
- Luteal Phase
- Menstruation
The hormones govern each cyclical phase, which lasts 28 to 30 days while preparing the body for menstruation.
However, PCOS patients are unable to ovulate normally due to imbalanced hormones. Therefore, small follicle cells become cysts that impair the maturing of eggs.
Heres an image that explains the hormonal relationship.
Luteinizing hormone triggers ovulation, followed by progesterone secretion, which causes the uterine wall to shed and bleed through the vaginal opening.
But in PCOS, luteinizing hormone levels are high throughout the period, preventing egg ovulation. As a result, there will be no progesterone and, therefore, no period.
Also, increased levels of testosterone and androgen in female blood block the egg from ovulating.
Why Do Women With Pcos Have An Irregular Menstrual Cycle
To understand how to kick start a period, we need to understand what is actually happening in our bodies to cause an irregular menstrual cycle.
In the diagram below, you can see that just before ovulation, there is a spike in levels of luteinizing hormone . The problem is that many women with PCOS have high levels of LH throughout their cycle. That means that you arent getting that spike of LH so no ovulation is being triggered.
Now, the next problem is that youll see that progesterone levels go up after ovulation. This is because progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum (the left over follicle, after the egg has been released. It is the sharp fall of progesterone that causes a bleed.
If we are not ovulating, we wont have a corpus luteum to produce the progesterone. If we have no progesterone, we are not going to have a period.
We have one more thing that we need to consider. ANDROGENS or testosterone, The American Congress of Obstetricans and Gynecologists suggest that high levels of testosterone also impact on ovulation and may prevent an egg from being released .
So, what can we do about this?
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