Becoming a mother is something that millions of women strive for each year, but according to the US Department of Health and Human Services, about ten percent of women have trouble getting pregnant due to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS). PCOS is a health problem that makes it difficult for a woman to have regular periods, affects her ability to have children, affects her hormones, heart, blood vessels, and can influence her appearance. However, just because she is diagnosed with PCOS does not mean that she cannot have children.
Unfortunately, the causes of PCOS are still unknown, but most in the medical community believe that there is more than one factor attributable to PCOS. The first is his family background. Women who have PCOS also have a relative, usually a sister or mother, who also has it. Insulin is also commonly cited as a factor, as women with PCOS often have trouble processing insulin. Having too much insulin leads to an increase in androgen production in your body. A high androgen level can lead to weight gain, acne, hair growth, and can cause problems with ovulation.
Although the causes of PCOS may be unknown, it can be managed and with this management is your hope of getting pregnant. If you have problems with ovulation, fertility drugs are often the first method used to get pregnant. These drugs help stimulate ovulation, but it’s a good idea to check with your doctor to make sure there are no other causes of infertility. Also, a risk of taking fertility drugs is the possibility of multiple births. You should consider this risk, as well as other potential risks to your health, before deciding on treatment options.
A slightly more invasive procedure to help stimulate ovulation is what is called an “ovulation piercing.” This is typically used with a woman who is not responding to fertility drugs. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health, “The doctor pricks the ovary with a small needle that carries an electrical current to destroy a small portion of the ovary. This procedure carries the risk of developing scar tissue on the ovary This surgery can reduce male hormone levels and help with ovulation, but these effects may only last a few months.” If this sounds too invasive, another option is to change your lifestyle.
A lifestyle change may not be what you want to hear about, but this is something you’ll want to do anyway if you do get pregnant. Most researchers agree that maintaining a healthy weight by eating right and exercising regularly is a great way to manage PCOS. Try to eat less processed foods and more whole grains, leafy green vegetables, fruits, and lean meats. If you are a smoker, you should quit. Again, all of these things need to be done once you get pregnant anyway, so if you want to get pregnant but have PCOS, there’s nothing to lose with this method. No one is going to stop you from living a healthy lifestyle, even if you decide to use fertility drugs or seek other fertility options.
