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First of all, what is PCOS?
PCOS is an endocrine syndrome. Some of the characteristics include, but are not limited to, the abnormal release of luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones, irregular menstrual cycles, insulin resistance, excessive body hair growth, miscarriage, acne, and weight issues.
PCOS gets its name from the tiny cysts that form inside the ovaries. These cysts are actually eggs prevented from being released by the abnormal hormone levels.
PCOS is generally hereditary from both the mother's side and/or the father's side.
How Can PCOS Be Treated So That You Can Conceive?(Information provided by 4woman.gov)
Because there is no cure for PCOS, it needs to be managed to prevent problems. Treatments are based on the symptoms each patient is having and whether she wants to conceive or needs contraception. Below are descriptions of treatments used for PCOS.
Birth control pills. For women who don’t want to become pregnant, birth control pills can regulate menstrual cycles, reduce male hormone levels, and help to clear acne. However, the birth control pill does not cure PCOS. The menstrual cycle will become abnormal again if the pill is stopped. Women may also think about taking a pill that only has progesterone, like Provera, to regulate the menstrual cycle and prevent endometrial problems. But progesterone alone does not help reduce acne and hair growth.
Diabetes Medications. The medicine, Metformin, also called Glucophage, which is used to treat type 2 diabetes, also helps with PCOS symptoms. Metformin affects the way insulin regulates glucose and decreases the testosterone production. Abnormal hair growth will slow down and ovulation may return after a few months of use. These medications will not cause a person to become diabetic.
Fertility Medications. The main fertility problem for women with PCOS is the lack of ovulation. Even so, her husband's sperm count should be checked and her tubes checked to make sure they are open before fertility medications are used. Clomiphene (pills) and Gonadotropins (shots) can be used to stimulate the ovary to ovulate. PCOS patients are at increased risk for multiple births when using these medications. In vitro Fertilization (IVF) is sometimes recommended to control the chance of having triplets or more. Metformin can be taken with fertility medications and helps to make PCOS women ovulate on lower doses of medication.
Medicine for increased hair growth or extra male hormones.
If a woman is not trying to get pregnant there are some other medicines that may reduce hair growth. Spironolactone is a blood pressure medicine that has been shown to decrease the male hormone’s effect on hair. Propecia, a medicine taken by men for hair loss, is another medication that blocks this effect. Both of these medicines can affect the development of a male fetus and should not be taken if pregnancy is possible. Other non-medical treatments such as electrolysis or laser hair removal are effective at getting rid of hair.
A woman with PCOS can also take hormonal treatment to keep new hair from growing.
Surgery. Although it is not recommended as the first course of treatment, surgery called ovarian drilling is available to induce ovulation. The doctor makes a very small incision above or below the navel, and inserts a small instrument that acts like a telescope into the abdomen. This is called laparoscopy. The doctor then punctures the ovary with a small needle carrying an electric current to destroy a small portion of the ovary. This procedure carries a risk of developing scar tissue on the ovary. This surgery can lower male hormone levels and help with ovulation. But these effects may only last
a few months. This treatment doesn't help with increased hair growth and loss of scalp hair.
A healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight is another way women can help manage PCOS. Since obesity is common with PCOS, a healthy diet and physical activity help maintain a healthy weight, which will help the body lower glucose levels, use insulin more efficiently, and may help restore a normal period. Even loss of 10% of her body weight can help make a woman's cycle more regular.
PCOS Tips
Most PCOS sufferers are 'carbohydrate sensitive', which means that, because of your PCOS, your body cannot cope with starchy, sugary or high-carbohydrate food. If you eat this type of food, it can make you crave more, hence the reason that PCOS sufferers go on a 'binge'. Your are best keeping to a low-fat, low-sugar, low-carbohydrate, protein diet, with a balance of fresh fruit and vegetables and lots of nibbles. Personal diets can be prepared if you wish.
If you are overweight and you want to conceive a baby, consultants now agree that losing weight healthily, with a well-balanced diet, that provides all the vitamins that you need, will improve your chances of conceiving. Figures show that just losing 24 lbs, if you are seriously overweight, can improve your chances of conceiving very considerably.
At all costs avoid sugar. Please remember that, you can have an insulin problem when you suffer with PCOS, and eating sugar can aggravate the problem. It is much better to use the 'sugar - free' alternatives.
When seeking treatment for conception, see a specialist. The speicalist would be known as a Reproductive Endocrinoligist. These fertility doctors have extra training and education that ob/gyns do not have.
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