Can I Get Pregnant If I Have PCOS?

Are you having trouble getting pregnant? Learn the signs of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the leading cause of female infertility, and what you can do to manage symptoms and get pregnant.

About 13% of women in the United States struggle to get pregnant. There are a variety of reasons why women have trouble conceiving, but one of the most common causes is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). About 80% of women with PCOS experience fertility issues. Fortunately, this prevalent female disorder is a treatable cause of infertility.

At Mira Women’s Health & Midwifery in Boca Raton, Florida, board-certified OB/GYNs Kenneth Konsker, MD, and Emily Woodbury, MD, and our compassionate women’s health team, can diagnose PCOS and develop a personalized treatment plan to help you have a healthy pregnancy.

Here, our expert team shares what you need to know about PCOS so that you can recognize and treat your symptoms and get pregnant.

What are the symptoms of PCOS?

PCOS is a hormonal imbalance disorder that affects about 10% to 15% of women of childbearing age in the United States.

A hormonal imbalance can affect the ovaries and their ability to make an egg every month. A female egg is vital to creating an embryo with male sperm. Therefore, if your ovaries are not regularly producing eggs, it can interfere with your ability to conceive.

One of the first signs of PCOS is irregular periods, which can mean getting your period too frequently or sporadically. Other common symptoms of PCOS include:

Excess hair growth on your face or chin
Acne on your face, chest, and back
Anxiety and depression
Weight gain
Thinning hair or male pattern baldness
Dark skin patches in the folds of your groin, armpits, and breasts
Fertility problems

The reason many of the symptoms involve male physical attributes is that having high levels of androgen, a male hormone, is a factor in diagnosing PCOS. Although you can develop PCOS at any age, most women discover they have it in their 20s and 30s when they are trying to get pregnant.

What are my treatment options for PCOS if I want to get pregnant?

Obesity and having a close family member with the disorder are risk factors for developing PCOS. Therefore, the first step in fighting PCOS is to lose weight (if you’re overweight). Eating healthy and exercising regularly can help you slim down and make your menstrual cycle more regular, which can improve your chances of getting pregnant.

In addition to reducing your PCOS symptoms and boosting your health, getting to a healthy weight can also increase the effectiveness of PCOS medications. For example, your doctor may recommend medications that help you ovulate more regularly.

Other treatment options for PCOS include IVF and surgery. We can recommend the best PCOS treatment option to help you manage your symptoms and also monitor your pregnancy so that you can have a healthy family.

If you’re experiencing fertility issues or think you have PCOS, contact Mira Women’s Health & Midwifery to make an appointment. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.