PT Health Life – Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disease that affects women’s reproductive system and endocrine system, which is the system that regulates hormone secretion. This syndrome occurs when a woman produces more male hormones than normal.
There are many women with polycystic ovary syndrome who are not always fully aware of the medical implications of this health condition.
1. Worries of women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a change in the normal number of follicles in the ovary, and most of the time this change goes unnoticed because it has no symptoms.
In some women, polycystic ovary syndrome causes irregular menstrual cycles and painful ovulation , a condition that can be resolved with hormonal treatments to help restore normal functioning of the system. female reproductive system.
Most women want and desire to have children. But women with chronic conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome often worry about having children, including whether they can get pregnant.
In a recent study from Monash University, women with PCOS participated in an online discussion group, sharing concerns about pregnancy and what they should do to improve their chances of getting pregnant. , information about fertility and PCOS…
The biggest worry for women with polycystic ovary syndrome is whether they can get pregnant or not. They also want to know how to best prepare for pregnancy and what they should do before trying to conceive. They have difficulty finding information that is up to date, relevant, and trustworthy.
2. Do women with polycystic ovary have the opportunity to become mothers?
This is a big question that concerns most women. The short answer is yes, but it can be more difficult due to irregular ovulation. Successful ovulation is necessary to achieve pregnancy, explains Dr. Lindsay Drew, a gynecologist at Dartmouth Hitchcock Specialty Care Clinic in Bedford, New Hampshire (USA). Pregnancy is also more successful when intercourse can be properly timed around ovulation, whereas it is difficult for patients with polycystic ovary syndrome to determine this time with unpredictable menstrual cycle lengths. .
With polycystic ovary syndrome, the ovaries produce too much androgen, or male hormone, which stimulates many small follicles to grow and prevents the normal maturation of a dominant follicle that will continue to develop. continues to release eggs during ovulation .
Due to this hormonal imbalance, women with PCOS often have irregular menstrual cycles because they do not ovulate or only ovulate occasionally. Therefore, they often have more difficulty conceiving than other women. They often take longer to get pregnant and are more likely to need fertility treatment than women without PCOS.
polycystic ovary syndrome is a common cause of infertility . Many studies indicate that certain genes may be linked to polycystic ovary syndrome.
Most women with PCOS have high levels of luteinizing hormone, which causes ovulation, and reduced levels of a hormone called “follicle-stimulating hormone,” which is essential for pubertal development and ovarian function. eggs in women.
Dr. Alexis P. Melnick, a reproductive endocrinologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City (USA), said pregnancy rates vary widely in PCOS and depend on clinical presentation. syndrome and its severity. Research estimates that about 70 – 80% of women with polycystic ovary syndrome face infertility.
3. How to increase the chances of pregnancy for women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary disease does not directly affect fertility. However, it can cause problems with ovulation and is usually resolved with medical intervention. With PCOS, pregnancy can be a bit more complicated and women with PCOS will need additional medical help.
For all women, being in the best possible health before marriage and pregnancy increases the chances of pregnancy and gives the baby the best start in life. According to international evidence-based guidelines for the evaluation and management of PCOS, adopting a healthy lifestyle including maintaining a healthy weight , not smoking, cutting down on alcohol, eating a healthy diet, exercising Regular exercise and enough sleep are the first things any woman needs to do to improve her chances of getting pregnant and giving birth to a healthy baby.
For women with PCOS who are overweight or obese, moderate weight loss sometimes leads to more frequent ovulation, increasing the chance of pregnancy. For those who feel their ovulation, having sex during the “fertile period” (5 days before and including ovulation) will increase the chances of conception.
Fertility treatments for PCOS will depend on the severity and condition of the individual patient, although ovarian stimulation will always be necessary. Research shows that about 70% of women with PCOS who use ovulation-stimulating drugs will eventually have children. Fertility experts note that all of these medications lead to a higher chance of having twins or multiples. After that, couples can choose artificial insemination (AI), in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
To receive appropriate advice and support, women planning to become pregnant should have a pre-pregnancy check-up with a specialist. This is also an opportunity to discuss a plan of action in cases where polycystic ovaries are causing fertility difficulties.
