Can I Get Pregnant with PCOS?

Let's start by saying that polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a common condition. You are certainly not alone, even though we know it can sometimes feel that way. Guud Woman co-founder Morgane has been very open about her struggle with PCOS, so we understand how difficult a diagnosis can be, especially when there are no solutions.

It's estimated that as many as 1 in 10 women struggle with PCOS . Symptoms can vary from woman to woman, but the root cause is a hormonal imbalance and metabolic problems that can affect overall health and even your appearance.

Women with PCOS often also have fertility issues, and getting pregnant can sometimes be difficult. The good news is that fertility problems caused by PCOS are treatable, and if you have PCOS, it's likely you can still have children—you just need a little help.

In this article, we discuss PCOS and its symptoms, how it affects your fertility, and what you can do if you have PCOS and want to get pregnant.

What is PCOS?

Women with PCOS may have higher levels of male hormones (androgens). This can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including:

• Problems with your menstrual cycle, such as missing or irregular periods. You may also experience extremely heavy periods.
• Acne : People with PCOS often suffer from acne, even after their teenage years.
• Hair growth : As many as 70% of women with PCOS experience excessive hair growth, such as facial hair or hair on their arms, chest, or stomach. While hair can be easily removed through various methods, excessive hair growth can cause social anxiety and self-confidence issues. Some people with PCOS also struggle with thinning hair.
• Weight gain : PCOS can make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight. 40%-80% of women with PCOS are overweight.
• Cysts : Many women with PCOS have cysts on their ovaries. These cysts are not harmful, but they can make it harder to conceive.
• Reduced fertility : PCOS is a common cause of reduced fertility. In women with PCOS, the hormonal imbalance disrupts ovulation. If you have no or irregular ovulation, it can be more difficult to conceive.

Can I get pregnant if I have PCOS?

Yes! PCOS doesn't mean you can't get pregnant, but it can make it more challenging. PCOS is one of the most common, yet treatable, causes of fertility problems in women.

That's because PCOS disrupts ovulation. If you can't track when you ovulate, it's difficult to predict your fertile window. And if you don't ovulate, you can't get pregnant.

Wondering how to calculate your menstrual cycle? It's easy. Read our blog post about it ; it's really quite simple.

Changes in your lifestyle

Maybe your doctor told you there's nothing you can do about your PCOS symptoms and that you should just come in if you want children. But we're here to tell you there are definitely things you can do to support your cycle now, even if you're not ready for a baby. Because you deserve a healthy cycle, whether you want children or not.

Research shows that nutrition plays a significant role in managing PCOS symptoms. When women changed their diets, it helped alleviate some of their PCOS symptoms.

How does that work? PCOS can cause insulin resistance, so it's important to incorporate foods that counteract this. Fiber-rich foods are key – they help slow digestion and reduce the effect of sugar on your blood.

What are high-fiber foods? Here are some examples:

• Vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli
• Leafy greens like kale, spinach and other dark leafy greens
• Beans and lentils
• Berries
• Sweet potatoes
• Green and red peppers
• Nuts such as almonds, pine nuts and walnuts
• Pumpkin and sweet potato

A healthy PCOS diet may include:

• Lots of natural, unprocessed foods
• Fatty fish such as salmon and tuna
• Healthy fats such as olive oil, avocados and coconuts
• Dark chocolate (in moderation! and make sure it's at least 75% cocoa)

Learn more about how your diet affects PCOS symptoms in our blog post: PCOS and Nutrition .

Fertility treatments for PCOS

If you have PCOS and want to have children, you may need medication to help you conceive. Your doctor or gynecologist can prescribe these. You can also talk to a fertility specialist.

There are a few specific medications to ensure that you ovulate – because ovulation is essential if you want to get pregnant.

If you have cysts due to PCOS, some doctors may recommend surgery to help you ovulate again. This surgery is designed to help your body ovulate naturally by removing tissue that has built up in your ovaries.

Finally, couples who want to have children can opt for IVF treatments. This is an option for women with PCOS if medication alone doesn't help.

For more information about increasing your chances of conceiving with IVF, read our blog: Increasing your IVF success rate .

How does PCOS affect pregnancy?

If you're pregnant with PCOS, congratulations first! We know that getting pregnant can be challenging for many people and that it may have taken longer than you expected. If you're pregnant with PCOS, you're at a higher risk for certain pregnancy complications. But try not to worry too much. Talk to your doctor or midwife. And if you ever feel like something's not right, get yourself and your baby checked out.

What can I do if I have PCOS?

Lifestyle changes, such as adjusting your diet, play a big role in managing symptoms, but there are other things you can do as well.

• Maintain a healthy weight : If you're overweight, losing weight can help increase your chances of pregnancy. Weight loss can lower your insulin and androgen levels and help restore ovulation. If you need help losing weight, consider making an appointment with a registered dietitian.
• Be active : Even if you're already a healthy weight, regular physical activity can help manage your PCOS symptoms and increase your chances of pregnancy.
• The right diet : Make sure you get enough vitamins and minerals to support your menstrual health and maintain your fertility. Eat a balanced diet and supplement your diet with supplements if necessary. Look for sustainable supplements containing folic acid and zinc to help prepare your body for pregnancy, but vitamin D, B6, B12, iron, and magnesium can also be beneficial.

Do you have any questions about your menstrual health? Or would you like to know more? Contact us via our live chat support or find the right products for you using our product finder . We're happy to help, so you can feel great every day of the month, without any annoying PCOS symptoms!