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Can you still get pregnant with PCOS?

4 min
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Updated Oct 31st, 2023
Terry Sullivan
Written by Terry Sullivan

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). You need to ovulate 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. 

If you have PCOS, ovulation doesn’t happen as the follicles do not mature. The follicles then accumulate, but without ovulation and pregnancy doesn’t happen.

What can you do to get pregnant with PCOS?

Eat a healthy diet 

Eating a balanced diet can help regulate ovulation and can also help maintain a healthy weight. 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 PCOS results in 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 refined carbohydrates, so these should be avoided.

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 avoid foods such as low-fibre cereals, white rice and bagels.
  • Avoid low GI carbohydrates as eating them can increase hunger and lead to weight gain. 
  • Include fibre, non-starchy vegetables, fruits and whole grains in your meals. 
  • I you must, eat low calorie snacks between meals. 
  • Include vegetable proteins (nuts, seeds, beans and lentils).

Supplementation

Most people today have busy lifestyles and processed food is easy to grab on the move or used to make a meal at home. Impryl can provide balanced essential micronutrients in activated form. For women with PCOS Inofolic Alpha may help.

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 such as Inofolic Alpha treatment, many omen with PCOS can get pregnant. 

Sources

Shang Y, Zhou H, He R, Lu W. Dietary Modification for Reproductive Health in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021 Nov 1;12:735954. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2021.735954. PMID: 34790167; PMCID: PMC8591222.

Xenou M, Gourounti K. Dietary Patterns and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Systematic Review. Maedica (Bucur). 2021 Sep;16(3):516-521. doi: 10.26574/maedica.2020.16.3.516. PMID: 34925611; PMCID: PMC8643565.

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