Worried that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) means you won’t be able to have a baby?
Experienced OB/GYN Daniel S. Kushner, MD, in White Plains and Queens, New York, wants women to know that the truth is much more nuanced than it may seem — and the reality is much more reassuring.
Although PCOS can affect ovulation, many women go on to conceive either naturally or with support. Understanding your body and how PCOS affects it is an important starting point.
PCOS alters ovarian function. It accounts for about 80% of infertility cases involving problems with ovulation.
PCOS usually involves imbalances of important hormones, including both reproductive hormones and insulin. Due to these imbalances, ovulation may happen erratically or not at all.
This can make menstrual cycles unpredictable and cause challenges in timing conception. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to have a baby when you have PCOS. You may need a different approach than you otherwise would, though.
PCOS presents differently for each woman. Common symptoms that might point to PCOS include:
Many women receive a PCOS diagnosis only when they encounter infertility because they may not have obvious early signs of the condition.
You can get pregnant with PCOS, but it may take longer to conceive than if you didn’t have the condition. The first and most important step is working with Dr. Kushner to manage the controllable factors involved in PCOS and infertility.
For example, many women with PCOS who struggle with extra weight start weight management programs and are later able to conceive.
Others try medications that help them ovulate more frequently, such as Clomid. This can dramatically increase the chances of pregnancy in women who are trying to conceive.
Women who have missed ovulation many times have a larger supply of eggs than those who ovulate like clockwork every month. That means that you’re more fertile than women without PCOS as you enter your 40s, a time when most women have more difficulty conceiving.
We hope this blog helps you feel more confident and hopeful about your chances of conceiving with PCOS. Dr. Kushner and our caring team are here to help you understand your diagnosis and guide you through treatment options.
Reach out to us at 914-422-0222 in White Plains or 718-793-1995 in Kew Gardens, Queens to schedule your appointment today.
