can s\o give me some insight on polycystic ovarian disease. Is it difficult to get pregnant if you have it

Answer 1

My cousin has this and she can't fall pregnant, but a friend of my who also has the same condition had IVF and fell pregnant with twins,

Answer 2

I was diagnosed with PCOS back in 1998. In 2001-2002 I saw a fertility specialist who started me on Glucophage and Clomid, and I failed all 8 cycles. I almost never have periods on my own, maybe 1 a year. From 2002-2004 I got on Yasmin birth control pills and lost weight. I stopped the pill in April '04, got my period right away and got pregnant on my secod cycle off the pill; it took me 6 years. My son is now 15 months old. I am breastfeeding him and having a period every month. About half the time I am actually ovulating. My OB says the hormones in Pregnancy and Lactating control the testosterone a bit.

I do not belong to any support groups now, but I have in the past through yahoogroups; but I suggest you do a google search with the terms 'pcos support' or 'pcos pregnancy' and see if that gives you more specific answers.

I should add this last pregnancy was my second pregnancy. I became pregnant with my oldest son the same way... two years on birth control pills, and then pregnant within a couple cycles.

Answer 3

Yes it can be very hard to get pregnant with polycystic ovarian disease.

BUT it's not impossible.

There are some drugs out there (some in testing) that can help you get pregnant.

Answer 4

Fertility issues are different for everyone, even women who have PCOS (I have it, but have not tried to get pregnant). Things like age, weight, family history, etc. are all important factors as well. It was recommended that I see a gynecologist who was also a fertility specialist if I should ever decide to have children, but my doctor clearly expressed to me that fertiility problems are NOT necessarily inevitable; many women CAN (and do!) still get pregnant with PCOS. Everyone is different, so consult your doctor, get 2nd/3rd opinions, etc.

Answer 5

What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a health problem that can affect a woman's hormone levels, periods, and ovulation. This can affect fertility and pregnancy. It can also cause male-type body changes.

If you have PCOS, your hormone (endocrine) system is out of balance. This can lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease.

What are the symptoms?
If you have PCOS, you may have problems with:

Acne.
Weight gain and have trouble losing weight.
Male pattern baldness or thinning hair on the scalp.
Hair growth on the face, back, or chest.
High blood sugar (hyperglycemia).

PCOS also can cause menstrual and pregnancy problems, including:

No periods or irregular periods.
Trouble getting pregnant.
Repeat miscarriages.
Gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
Living with PCOS symptoms can affect your emotional well-being, sexual satisfaction, and overall quality of life. This can lead to depression.1

What causes PCOS?
The cause of PCOS is not known.

PCOS problems are caused by hormone changes. One hormone change triggers another, which changes another. This makes a "vicious circle" of out-of-balance hormones in your endocrine system, including:

Ovary hormones. When the hormones that trigger ovulation are not at the right levels, the ovary does not release an egg every month. In some women, cysts form on the ovaries. These cysts make androgen.
High androgen levels. High androgen in a woman causes male-type hair and acne problems and can stop ovulation.
High insulin and blood sugar levels. About half of women with PCOS have a problem with how the body uses insulin, called insulin resistance. When the body doesn't use insulin well, blood sugar builds to high levels. If not treated, this can lead to diabetes.
High cholesterol levels. This is common with PCOS.

What Happens


Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) interferes with normal ovulation and results in an increase in male hormone levels, which causes many of the symptoms of PCOS. Irregular ovulation causes irregular menstrual cycles. Abnormal insulin production and metabolic problems also contribute to the development of PCOS.

The increase of male hormones (androgens) in PCOS leads to acne and abnormal hair growth (hirsutism). Many women with PCOS have multiple cysts on their ovaries (polycystic ovaries). A polycystic ovary may be up to three times larger than normal.

PCOS may increase your risk for developing other conditions or diseases over time, such as:

Reproductive problems. These may include:
Irregular menstrual bleeding.
Miscarriage.
Preeclampsia.
Infertility.
Endometrial hyperplasia.
Endometrial cancer.
Metabolic problems. These may include:
Insulin resistance.
Gestational diabetes.
Metabolic syndrome.
Type 2 diabetes.
Obesity.
Cardiovascular problems. PCOS may increase your risk for some cardiovascular problems, such as:
Coronary artery disease or heart attack (MI).
High blood pressure (hypertension).
High cholesterol.
Atherosclerosis.

Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and weight control are the cornerstone of treatment for PCOS. Sometimes, also using a medicine to balance hormones is helpful.

There is no cure for PCOS, but controlling it lowers your PCOS risks of infertility, miscarriages, diabetes, heart disease, and uterine cancer.

Surgical treatment is occasionally used for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A part of an ovary is surgically damaged or removed, with the goal of stimulating ovulation.

Surgery Choices
Laparoscopic ovarian drilling is a surgical treatment that can trigger ovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who have not responded to weight loss and fertility medicine. Electrocautery or a laser is used to destroy portions of the ovaries. Studies of women with PCOS have reported that ovarian drilling results in an 80% ovulation rate and a 50% pregnancy rate. Younger women and those with a body mass index in the normal range are most likely to benefit from laparoscopic ovarian drilling.

Answer 6

It is more difficult to get pregnant because you are not regular througout your menstral cycle. However it is not impossible!

Here are a couple web sites that could give you more information then I ever could!

http://www.cincinnatifertility.com/Polycystic_Ovaries/Overview.htm
http://www.emedicine.com/radio/topic565.htm
http://www.indiandoctors.com/OBGYN/Gyne_Endocrinology/Gyne_Endocrinology_02.htm