PCOS/PCOD is a lifestyle disorder that impacts many women around us. When a patient is diagnosed with PCOS, she often goes under pressure and puts herself under too much stress. A lot of women build a perception that now they cannot conceive naturally. But this is not true.

In this blog, we will address multiple misconceptions related to PCOS, IVF and pregnancy. So let’s get started.

What is PCOS?

PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Disorder Syndrome, is a lifestyle disorder. It generally occurs due to lack of sleep, excessive weight and irregular eating habits. PCOS can result in irregular periods in many patients. It can also lead to pimples and unwanted hair growth on the body parts. Moreover, PCOS leads to the formation of multiple cysts inside the ovary, and the ovaries enlarge.

PCOS patients are either Obese PCOS patients or Lean PCOS patients. In most of these patients, male hormone formation is high. Higher androgenic activities lead to pimples and unwanted hair growth. Most importantly, PCOS prevents the ovulation of the egg, resulting in the failure of conception.

So let’s understand how we help PCOS patients conceive.

Conceptions in PCOS patients

The first thing a patient has to do is lose weight if they are overweight. The weight reduction should be at least 10% using diet and exercise. Once the weight reduces and the periods’ cycle normalizes, conceiving becomes very easy, and the patient can conceive naturally.

If this is not possible, the patient can contact the doctor. The doctor will give Ovulation Inducing Drugs that can help ovulate the egg. Suppose the rest of the body functions properly, including the fallopian tubes. In that case, the endometrium is healthy, and the male partner’s semen has sufficient sperm count and motility, the patient can easily get pregnant with natural intercourse.

But if such timed intercourse fails 3 to 4 times, the doctors might recommend an  IUI (Intrauterine Insemination). During this procedure, a doctor collects sperm from the male partner, selects a few best quality sperm and releases those sperm in the uterus.

If this procedure fails too, then the doctor might recommend Laparoscopy or IVF. So if you are wondering whether IVF is compulsory in a PCOS patient, then the answer is it is the last option. There is a strong possibility that simple lifestyle changes, weight modification and regular exercise, timed intercourse or IUI can help. If all these fail, then only the doctor will recommend IVF.

But if there is an issue with a male partner’s sperm or the female’s tubes are damaged, the doctor will recommend IVF only in the initial stage.

Wrapping up

We hope it’s unclear to you that not all PCOS patients need IVF for conceiving. Even some lifestyle modifications can help them conceive. IVF is the last resort for them.

We hope many of your doubts about IVF, PCOS, and pregnancy are now clear. In case you need more information on PCOS or IVF, do not hesitate to ask us. Our experts will quickly get back to you with all the necessary information you need.

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• About Author

  Dr. Supriya Puranik

  Gynaecologist & IVF Specialist

Dr. Supriya Puranik, a renowned gynaecologist and infertility expert, leads the IVF & Gynaecology department at Sahyadri Hospitals Momstory in Shivaji Nagar, Pune. She is committed to helping couples overcome infertility challenges.