Women who have been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can definitely still get pregnant. If you have PCOS, you may find that you have infrequent or irregular periods which make it difficult to conceive. This is due to hormonal imbalance which can cause problems or prevent the growth and release of eggs from your ovaries (ovulation). Ovulation is essential to get pregnant.
Due to an excess of androgen (male hormones), PCOS can also mean that you may experience mood changes, weight gain, hair loss from the head, acne and growth of unwanted hair. The weight gain might also be linked to increased levels of insulin. Sound familiar? Read on as we run through some actions that you can take now to increase your chances.
Why do some women with PCOS have difficulty getting pregnant?
Women have follicles which contain egg cells in each ovary during a menstrual cycle. The follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is secreted by the brain to select a follicle to mature and release an egg.
In some women with PCOS, ovulation may often not happen every month as the follicles do not mature. The follicles then accumulate, but without ovulation and pregnancy doesn’t happen.
The fact that you have PCOS, does not work as birth control, as women with PCOS are fertile, so make sure that you have discussed a safe contraceptive option with your GP.
“Women with a history of irregular periods possibly indicating Polycystic Ovaries or women with heavy and painful periods probably suggesting endometriosis should be aware that their fertility may be compromised, and they should seek fertility advice even if they are not planning a baby ‘just yet’. Maternal history is equally important as a female-line story of early menopause in mother, grandmother or aunt may indicate the need to get an ‘ovarian reserve test’ such as an AMH blood test sooner rather than later.”
What can you do to improve the chances of getting pregnant with PCOS?
Eat a healthy diet
Eating a balanced diet helps regulate ovulation and can also help maintain a healthy weight, which is key to promoting fertility. Nutritional deficits are associated with hormonal aberrations which can result in the loss of menstrual function and irregular periods. In fact, energy balance is seen as a more critical factor for ovulation with women with PCOS than body mass index (BMI).
Scientists have found that in some patients with PCOS there is insulin resistance so the body over-responds to glucose in the bloodstream, thereby releasing too much insulin. High insulin levels can lead to many of the PCOS symptoms you are experiencing, including an irregular menstrual cycle. Spikes in your insulin levels can be caused by sugars, stress and high-intensity training so these should be reduced as much as possible
Insulin is also fundamental to managing the high levels of androgens or testosterone.
in your body, as when you have PCOS your ovaries are more sensitive to insulin and this results in them producing too much testosterone.
You can manage both your insulin and your testosterone by following a balanced diet.
To improve ovulation and hormonal function:
- Your insulin can spike when eating processed foods, so reduce foods such as cereal bars, morning cereals, low-fibre cereals, white rice and bagels.
- Avoid skipping meals, as this them can increase hunger and lead to weight gain and nutritional deficiencies.
- Include fibre, non-starchy vegetables, fruits and whole grains in all your meals.
- Have snacks in between meals, so that you are eating every four hours during the day. Snacks that are nourishing are berries, plain yoghurt, nuts.
- Include vegetable proteins (nuts, seeds, beans and lentils) at least once daily and choose healthy animal proteins such as eggs and chicken.
Supplements
Most people today have busy lifestyles and processed food is easy to grab on the move or used to make a meal at home. This quickly leads to macronutritional deficiencies that cannot be substituted by over the counter supplements. Speaking to a Registered Nutritionist who is specialised in PCOS can help if you feel like you have tried everything and feel stuck with your meal routine.
Taking micronutrients and multivitamins through supplements may support you during busy times, as the true treatment of PCOS is a healthy and balanced diet and lifestyle.
Inositols are a micronutrient that can help improve many PCOS symptoms and can regulate your cycles and help you ovulate. They can safely be used during pregnancy to reduce the chances of developing gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and preterm birth.
Ask your doctor about medication
Medications can be prescribed which can induce ovulation, such as letrozole and Clomid (clomiphene). Metformin can also be prescribed to target insulin, but can only help alongside exercise and a balanced diet. However, these medications do have side effects and potential risks, so you need to ask your doctor for information before making a decision.
Regular exercise
Exercise has also been shown to reduce insulin resistance. Moderate-intensity workouts (at least 30 minutes, three days a week) are recommended and this will also help to manage a healthy weight. However, it is a combination of nutrition and exercise which will help you to manage PCOS.
Through a combination of these lifestyle changes, along with PCOS supplements, many women with PCOS can optimise their fertility get pregnant.
