PCOS and Fertility: How It Impacts Conception and What You Can Do

If you are having difficulty becoming pregnant, it could be due to a condition known as polycystic ovary syndrome, also known as PCOS, that disrupts your menstrual cycles. Dr. Anu Kothari and the staff at Comprehensive OGGYN Healthcare in Hicksville, NY, provide a wide range of services, including diagnosis and treatment of PCOS.

What You Need to Know about PCOS

PCOS happens to women during their reproductive years. The condition can result from a hormonal imbalance of too much androgen. Fluid sacs or cysts form along the outer edges of the ovaries. The cysts contain immature eggs known as follicles. These follicles don’t release eggs on a regular basis, and the disruption in egg release can make pregnancy difficult. PCOS can also result in:

• Frequent pelvic pain
• Infrequent menstruation
• Excess bleeding during menstruation

PCOS is typically diagnosed with a combination of a pelvic exam, blood tests to measure hormone levels, and an ultrasound to check the ovaries. Your OBGYN doctor has several PCOS treatment options and may recommend:

• Medications to regulate periods, including birth control pills, progestin, and others
• Medications to help you ovulate so you can become pregnant, including clomiphene, letrozole, and gonadotropins

Other symptoms of PCOS include acne and excessive growth of body hair. Your OBGYN doctor can provide treatments for these conditions, too. Birth control pills and spironolactone can block androgen effects to help manage acne and excessive hair growth.

Want to Know More about PCOS?

If you are having difficulty becoming pregnant, it’s time to seek out the help of an OBGYN doctor. To find out more about how PCOS impacts fertility, call Comprehensive OBGYN Healthcare in Hicksville, NY, at (516) 822-4600.