PCOS and fertility?

Question

I've just had PCOS confirmed after a laparoscopy, however it's something I've suspected for several years. I'm 24 years old now, my periods have never been regular, I've gone up to 6 months without any bleeding on several occasions. I've been on dianette for the past 6 months, for control of the symptoms, which has helped........but I just wanted to know what the chances of conceiving naturally are with PCOS? I'm not trying to get pregnant right now, I'd just like to know how difficult it's likely to be for me to become a mum in a few years time.......

Answer 1

The underlying cause of PCOS is insulin resistance (IR). If you treat the IR, then your chances of getting pregnant are about the same as anyone else (assuming there are no other problems not related to the PCOS). The best treatment for PCOS is going on an insulin sensitizing drug such as metformin (1500-2550mg per day) combined with a low carb diet and exercise. If this doesn't work by itself (which in most cases I've seen..it does), then you can add fertility treatments to this. There are a few important things to know:

1. Many women "pass" the test for IR, but still respond positively from the metformin. No one knows exactlly why..my thought is that the test is not a sure fire way of detecting the IR.

2. You must be on a high enough dose of metformin. I've heard women complain that their bodies dont start working even though they've been on metformin for awhile. Some doctors are hesitant to up the dose past 1500mg...but for some of us it takes more. I don't respond until my dose is around 2000mg a day.

3. It can take a few months on the correct dose, before your body ovulates on it's own.

4. It is important to treat your PCOS even when you are not trying to get pregnant. There are higher risks for many things (high blood pressure, blood clots, diabetes, and many other things) when you have PCOS, but if it is treated properly, then those risks go back to a normal rate.

I recommend seeing a reproductive endocrinologist. They are the most knowledgeable about PCOS and any fertility treatments that you may want to do in the future. I also highly recommend visiting http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-bhpcos?redirCnt=1. It is a great message board, where you can ask all your PCOS questions. The women there are great. Good luck.

Answer 2

Since I suspect I have PCOS as well I checked the fertility rates out some time ago. If I'm not mistaken the chance for pregnancy is up to 70% (or maybe even 90%, my memory is not quite clear on the numbers) if the heaviest methods of infertelity treatments are included. So the chance of pregnancy is quite high, but women with PCOS have miscariages more often, which means in the end the actual rate goes down a bit.

Answer 3

Isn't it great to finally have an answer to why your body is messed up? I went for years without knowing, was misdiagnosed twice before finally being diagnosed with PCOS. I was on Clomid for a year without any success. I finally accepted my fate and accepted the fact that I was not able to concieve although EVERYONE kept butting in and telling me it would happen and giving me their advice (annoying). I was put on birth control to regulate my periods. Anyway about 5 years later I started having problems with my blood pressure so my doctor took me off of the pill and put me on Glucofage (Metformin) within 3 months I was pregnant. There is a high fertility rate with this drug when it is used by women with PCOS. My daughter is now almost 3 years old, very healthy and the love of my life. So yes it is possible, sometimes we just need to not think about it and let it happen...... Best of luck to you!!!

Answer 4

I have wanted to conceive for years never was lucky went to doctor she thought I had PCOS and wanted to send me to a OBGYN and see what she thought she didn't think I had PCOS or anything else wrong so she wants my husband to do a sperm test and if its not him put me on metiformin she says that regulates periods and may help me become pregnant. My periods have not been regular for awhile either I've always felt something was wrong and don't think it's my husband I hope if its me metiformin works as it is used for diabetes but also for people who have PCOS to regulate periods and can help conceive.

Answer 5

Once infertility has been diagnosed, there are a number of treatment options available depending on the root cause of the problem. Learn here https://tr.im/v2CsN

Infertility is a condition defined as not being able to become pregnant after at least one year of unprotected, regular, well-timed intercourse. Women who suffer from multiple miscarriages may also be diagnosed as infertile. Infertility may be classified into two groups, primary and secondary infertility.

Answer 6

Hello fellow PCOS sufferer :)

For all questions related to the joys of PCOS I suggest you pay Soul Cysters a visit. It's full of really helpful information.

(My user ID is amy1987 if you want to chat on there.)

Answer 7

do no longer problem...I too have that problem. I also have a 2 3 hundred and sixty 5 days old son. it particularly is authentic that it could take somewhat longer to conceive. yet even then some issues will particularly help - workout normally, save your weight below verify, consume a balanced eating recurring...and notably in no way lose desire. Your desire will certainly come authentic. each and all the superb !

Answer 8

IVF (in vitro fertilization) treatment; IUI, ICSI and Laparoscopic surgery is very cheap in India. The cost is very low and the medical services are very good in India.

My cousin and her husband got their IVF treatment in India through the Forerunners Healthcare in India and is all praise for this company. She is a known case of PCOS.She is a very happy mother of a baby boy now. She just paid 2500 pounds for the full IVF treatment in India for which she was quoted 8000 pounds in private setup in UK.

Forerunners Healthcare is very famous in India. I read a lot about them in the newspapers. I have also read about a Chinese couple who planned surrogacy through the Forerunners Healthcare. They arrange financing for USA, Canadian, UK and other international patients who plan to have surgery and infertility treatment like IVF, IUI, and ICSI abroad for low price. They also have photos pasted of their International patients. You can checkout their website. There are huge cost savings. As a doctor I personally believe that surgery and treatment can be easily handled in India, as the quality of healthcare available In India is simply best in the world. The surgeons are USA/UK trained and facilities are 5 star.

http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com
Hope this helps.

Answer 9

Since 1990, I have been a confirmed PCOS suffer after having a misscarrage . At first I was referred to the Univercity Collegue Hospital in London, I had blood test's, Scans - internal and external. I then was told to loose weight and keep trying.
We did. I lost weight, did more exercise and dicovered that I was pregnant yet again. Again it happened. Another miscarrage. I was then referred to Bart's Hospital for futher tests.
I had two laparoscopy's, was told that my left fallopian tube was blocked and would i agree for it to unblock my tube, which again would give me a higher percentage of becoming pregnant again. Ofcourse, I agreed. Yes, I got pregnant again. And yes yet another misscarrage . There was no way that i was going to give up. I was referred to Homerton Hospital in Hackney, They done more tests, I was put on different drugs, again I was told that i was still in a high percentage of getting pregnant again. My husband also was being put through the mill, checking his sperm count, seeing if his sperm was attacting my eggs instead of fertilizing them. Again pregnancy happened. And yes yet another misscarrage. Again more tests, I was put on a drug called clamid which makes your overies make more and more eggs, we were getting more and more stressed out. We had to preform at percific times, certain tempretures, even going straight to the hospital after intercourse. Pregnancy happened again. And yes you guessed it another misscarrage. We were then referred to St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington, again more tests, blood tests, scans, drugs. And yes another pregnancy, this time it was twins. I was being rapped up like cotton wall, not being able to do things, having people running around me, arguments between me and my husband were getting worse, I was told that I wasn't a proper woman. Why did he have to marry awoman like me because i couldn't have children.
It was getting harder and harder. The twins were due at christmas time. But that Christmas time never came. I miscarried them. Me & my husband drifted further apart. He became violet and I couldn't take it. We divorced. After the divorce I badly craved love. My best friend became my new partner. She had two children and we became a family. she broke my heart after 7 years and moved away with my younger sister. My heart has been broken many times, and I dont think there's anything left to brake.